Lawn + Garden Projects
How to Patch a Bare Spot With Seed Fertilizer Mix
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BLACK+DECKER B+D Contributor 121 Projects
Patching bare spots works best if you do it at the beginning of new lawn growth. Repair bare spots in the late summer for cool-season grasses, and in late spring for warm-season species. Either way, always water well whether you’re planting sod or seed. Every day for a week is a good baseline (if there has been no rain) and continue watering until you’re sure the patch is completely established.
The Premixed Solution
Seeding a bare spot requires a lot of follow up, primarily to ensure that the seeds and seedlings are kept moist until established, and that birds and other wildlife don’t poach the seed. An alternative—involving slightly more money and slightly less effort—is a lawn patch mix. These all-in-one products combine seed, a binder such as ground-up paper mixed with gel, and a starter fertilizer. Simply spread the mix over the bare spot after you've prepared the surface, and water regularly (some mixes don’t even require watering) until the new grass takes root.
Use the top of the rake to level the patch area even with the surrounding soil surface, raking the amended mix out from the edges of the patch as necessary. Water the patched areas thoroughly and continue to water regularly and deeply until the new grass plants are well established.