Nothing gets in the way of having the perfect lawn like a large spot of dead grass. Not only is this a major eyesore, but it can actually be unhealthy for the lawn around the dead spot. Dead spots also leave an open space for weeds to invade and take over the lawn.
However, you don’t have to simply accept when a dead spot develops in your yard. Here is a step-by-step process for how you can treat your lawn for dead spots:
- Remove dead spots
- Work the soil
- Plant new seeds
- Use fertilizer
- Treat the patch
1. Remove dead spots
First of all, you need to accept that there’s no bringing back a patch of dead grass once it is dead. Dead grass is notably different than dry grass, which has a yellow color that will return to green once it is treated. Dead grass, on the other hand, is a dingy grey-brown color, and can’t be brought back.
For this reason, get rid of all of the dead grass and tear up the top level of the ground with it. This gives the new grass a fresh patch of soil to work with. You should be able to efficiently remove the grass with a shovel and a rake, but you may need to use a sod cutter to separate the dead grass from the green grass.
2. Work the soil
When you have exposed the fresh patch of soil, you’ll notice that it’s a little stiff after sitting under a dead patch of grass. Hard soil isn’t very conducive for plants to grow in, so you’ll want to break up the soil and make it nice and loose. Dig about three inches down and make sure the whole patch of soil is loose, then mix in a little bit of organic compost. This will make the soil nutrient-rich so your new grass can grow well.
3. Plant new seeds
At this point, it’s finally time to put the new grass into the patch. For this, pick a high-quality grass seed that is rated well for the climate that you live in. Once you have laid the seeds, work over the soil so the seeds end up under about a quarter-inch of soil, no more or less. After the seeds are worked in, pack the topsoil lightly.
4. Use fertilizer
You don’t want your new grass to have patches that don’t grow, or else you’ll have to start this whole process over again (albeit with a smaller patch). To prevent this from happening, use a fertilizer that is designed for grass over the new patch.
5. Treat the patch
Once you have planted and fertilized the seeds, put a layer of mulch over the top of the soil to protect it from threats—such as wind, water runoff, or birds—that could ruin the seeds. Once the mulch is laid down, water the new patch and let it seep into the soil a couple of inches. Make sure you also keep the area well-watered until the seeds start to sprout—then wait for your beautiful new grass to grow!
Consider using sod for large dead patches
Keep in mind that if you have a large portion of grass that needs to be replaced, it might be better to use sod rather than seed because sod has a better chance of combining well with the healthy, green grass.
If you choose to use sod instead of seed, you may need to rent a sod cutter to help you remove the large patch of old grass. Once it’s removed and you’re ready to lay down the sod, make sure you dig down deep enough (but not too deep) so the sod lays flat and is at the same level as the rest of the lawn around it. You’ll also want to make sure that the soil is nice and loose (and filled with compost) so the new grass can take hold.
Follow these steps for replacing large dead spots with sod:
- Cut out the old, dead lawn.
- Dig down just deep enough so the sod will lay even with the rest of the grass around it.
- Add compost to the soil so the new sod will have access to extra nutrients.
- Roughen up the soil and moisten it slightly until it’s loose and will allow grassroots through.
- Lay the sod so it covers the entire area and water it in well.
- Keep it well watered for the next few days until the new grass takes hold.
Is your lawn struggling to stay healthy and green throughout the year? Are you tired of taking care of it? Stewarts can help! Stewart’s lawn care service includes fertilization, weed control, and grub control in addition to a free respray guarantee. Call or text 801-226-2261 today for a free quote and more information!