How to repair damaged grass

Lawns go through a lot of wear and tear which is largely unavoidable. In order to keep your lawn in the best possible shape, you will need to commit to ongoing lawn care throughout the year. Nevertheless, even if you are the most committed gardener, your lawn is inevitably going to experience some damage. 

From bad weather, to dogs running around, from pests to over watering, many things can contribute to lawn damage. Despite brown and yellow patches appearing in your lawn, we are here to help you repair your grass and bring it back to the vibrant green grass it once was. 

What is grass repair? 

Grass repair is an important part of lawn care that cannot be overlooked. It consists in analyzing the causes at the source of your lawn problems (weeds, pests, lawn diseases, etc.) and finding the appropriate treatment to bring it back to a healthy state.  

Something as trivial as the presence of some new weeds, an overly rainy evening, or the appearance of turf pests in the summer can cause your lawn to become damaged. These external factors cause a few different types of lawn damage. In some cases, it can lead to bare spots or bare patches. In other cases, the grass dies which causes it to lose its luscious green color and spots in your lawn turn to brown or orange color. 

Regardless of the lawn problem you are facing, there is always a way to repair your grass. Grass repair is usually a gradual process so don't expect to see results overnight. Lawn repair also often has multiple components to it. For example, you might need to apply fertilizer, apply calcium, get rid of weeds and perform regular aeration. 

Grass repair services

Can you repair a damaged lawn? 

Yes! Although the sight of brown or yellow grass might instill a sense of panic in you, there are different things you can do to repair a damaged lawn. 

The road to recovery will not necessarily happen overnight, so if you are looking for an instant quick fix, you probably are not going to be happy with what we have to tell you. Lawn damage repair generally requires multiple steps in order to ensure not only that it grows back, but that the roots grow back healthily and continue to be healthy for years to come. 

Tips for repairing a damaged lawn

What do you need for grass repair?

If you notice that your lawn is looking worse and you want to do some damage control, there are some supplies that you are going to want to rummage through your shed to find or go out to buy.  We have created a list of supplies and lawn repair products that you will need to gather in order to get this project started and breathe some life back into your grass.  

Rake 

Most people have a rake hanging around somewhere. Even if you haven't used it in years, it is likely hidden in a back corner of your garage or shed. If not, and you do not want to buy one, you can probably borrow one from a neighbor. You need a rake in order to prepare the area of grass that you need to repair. You do not want any garden debris on the ground when you start repairing so it is important that you have a rake to easily clear the area. 

Lawn mower 

Again, this is something that you likely have, especially if you are someone who takes pride in their lawn. If you do not have a lawn mower, it is highly advised that you go out and buy one as it is an integral gardening tool needed for the upkeep of your lawn. Both an electric and a petrol mower will do the job. 

Grass seed 

Grass repair seeds are probably the first item on the list of things that you will need to buy. If you know the type of grass in your garden, it is a good idea to get a product that is designed specifically for this type of grass. However, if you do not know what grass type you have, you can simply get a grass seed that thrives in your area and under certain weather conditions. 

Compost/fertilizer 

Although compost/fertilizer is not essential, it is recommended. It is widely used by avid gardeners as it works as an agent to encourage growth and provides healthy nutrients to grass roots. This is especially important when it comes to damaged lawns as they need all the help that they can get in order to encourage healthy and faster growth. 

What can you compost and what can you not? 

How do you repair grass? 

The best time of year to do any lawn repair work is spring. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to repair your lawn during this period of the year. 

Assess and clear the area

The first thing you need to do is assess the area. Although there might be one spot on your lawn that very obviously needs to be repaired, there might be other areas which could benefit from some slight repair. It is therefore a good idea to briefly scout out your lawn and identify all the areas that could use some grass seed. 

You also need to clear these identified areas. Use your rake to get rid of any debris that may be on the ground. This is especially important for gardens or lawns that are surrounded by trees, especially fruit trees as any apple or other fruit on the ground should be cleared before you start. You should also get rid of weeds that are present as they will only make it harder for the grass to grow.

Mow your lawn 

It is important to mow your lawn so that the seeds can easily get to the soil. You should mow your existing grass at the ideal mowing height depending on the time of the year. However, if the problem that you are repairing is a bare patch, you obviously do not need to mow that area as there is nothing to mow. 

Rough up your soil 

All you need to do is take your rake and drag it along the ground on the affected area in order to loosen up the soil. This is an expert tip that many people do not realize makes all the difference when laying new grass seed. It helps the seeds germinate. 

Spread your grass repair seed 

Once the area has been completely prepared, it is time to spread the grass repair seed. It is important to spread a thin layer of grass seed only as you do not want to overwhelm the area. It is also important to spread out the seeds as evenly as possible. At this point, you can use a specific lawn spreader if you have it, or you can spread the grass seed with a rake. Spreading it out evenly will ensure the grass grows as uniformly as possible. 

Apply fertilizer/compost 

Although this is an optional step, it will help the roots grow quicker. If you apply fertilizer or compost, you provide the lawn with extra nutrients which will encourage roots growing strong to ensure you have a full and healthy lawn by the end of the entire process. We recommend applying just a thin layer on top of the seeds. 

Water the area 

The final step in the lawn repair process is to water your grass. The watering process is not a one-time thing. It needs to be done regularly to encourage the growth of your grass. 

Although you can venture into the world of lawn revival on your own, for best results you should contact a lawn treatment specialist. They are able to assess your lawn and identify the exact problem. They also have all the relevant knowledge to ensure the right type of grass is planted. In addition, they will be able to offer you all the follow-up advice and upkeep that you might need. 

Here are some lawn care services offered by Vertdure:

• Sale of grass seed?
• Fertilizer injections for trees and shrubs?
• Control of lawn infestations ?
• Control of lawn weeds ?
• Lawn aeration?

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