What to Do About Bald Patches on Your Lawn | Backes Landscaping
Do you have Bald or Brown Patches on Your Lawn?
Over time, our lawn grass in Fort Collins, CO can become worn, leaving patchy areas of bare ground or dried-out thatch that makes your property look unattractive. You can repair these bare areas in your lawn with a little TLC and a few materials. Here are some tips on what you can do to re-grow grass in those bald patches on your lawn.
What Causes Bare Patches on Lawns?
A number of problems can cause problems on your lawn turf. Heavy foot traffic in particular areas may cause compaction that damages grass plants. Poor watering can lead to bare areas or dense thatch growth in your lawn. Inadequate watering and overwatering can both cause problems with growth. Insect infestation can damage roots and lead to the death of grass. The spread of weeds can crowd out grass plants and result in areas of poor growth. To successfully re-grow grass plants in damaged areas, you must correct the underlying problem.
Seeding Bald Areas
In most areas of the country, you can fill in bare patches in your lawn by simply preparing the soil and planting more grass seed in the area. The grass seedlings will then grow to fill in the empty areas. Although certain precautions are needed to foster new grass growth, this is generally an effective yet simple way to repair bald patches in the lawn.
How to Plant Grass Seed
Late summer and early fall are the best times to re-seed bare areas in your grass. You can mark off the edges of the re-planted area with string to prevent foot traffic while the new grass is getting established. Carefully rake the area to remove debris and loosen the soil, so grass seeds can sprout and make healthy roots. Adding a layer of topsoil will ensure successful re-seeding. Then, sow the seed on the surface of the soil. Gently rake the seed into the upper layer of soil. Water the area to initiate seed germination, and then water regularly to provide moisture for the new seedlings.
Some Types of Grass Require Sodding
Laying down sections of sod offers a more reliable way to fill in bare or dead areas on your lawn grass. These sections of pre-grown grass can be found at your local home improvement store or garden center. Putting down sod requires a bit more preparation of the area and careful attention to watering once it’s in place, but the result is quicker repair of your damaged grass. Certain types of lawn grass used in warmer regions of the country generally require sod to fill in bare areas rather than planting grass seed.
Laying Sod in Bare Areas
Sod is generally available in large rolls or 16″ by 24″ rectangular sections. First, remove as much of the old, remaining grass as possible. Sod must be in good contact with soil in order to take root. Clean out any debris from the area you want to sod. Loosen the soil with a shovel and apply a layer of topsoil about 3 inches thick. Level the soil carefully to accept the sod. Adding some compost to the area will provide nutrients for the new grass. You can then lay down the sod sections in the bare areas and neaten the edges so they blend in with the existing grass. Water the new sod each day to promote rooting.
A beautiful lawn enhances your property’s enjoyment and adds to your home’s value. But attractive lawns don’t happen on their own. Regular maintenance and repair of damaged areas will help to keep your grass looking lush and healthy so that you can enjoy all of your home’s outdoor areas.
If you need Commercial or Residential Landscaping call Backes
Backes Landscaping is a full-service landscaper in Fort Collins offering landscape design services. Please give us a call for your landscaping needs at (970) 222-1730. Our professional landscapers install water features, retaining walls, xeriscaping, hardscaping, firepits, and sprinklers. We also offer commercial Landscaping Services.
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