Bald. Bare. Thin.
Whatever you call it, one thing is certain: patchy lawns stink.
Until automatic, self-repairing lawns are invented, we've got the next best thing?quick and easy bare spot repair.
Read on for the skinny, plus a few extras for keeping your lawn lusher, longer.
Most of us know that wishing and hoping bare spots fill in on their own is futile. Did you also know that watering those bare spots and doing nothing else won't work either? Sure, water is essential for growing a green, healthy looking lawn. But water's only a part of what you need to fix those dead spots in your lawn and keep them from coming back.
Kids playing rough-and-tumble, dogs doing their daily, and pesky pests and insects all do a number on lawns. But Southern lawns have another enemy: drought. If you have a Bermudagrass or tall fescue lawn, repair drought-induced thin or bare areas with Scotts® Turf Builder® EZ Seed®.
Guaranteed to grow grass anywhere, EZ Seed® features a unique combination of Scotts® high-performance seed, continuous-release fertilizer and Scotts® super-absorbent growing material that keeps seed from drying out. Simply rake ground to loosen soil, apply EZ Seed® and water in.
If yours is a St. Augustinegrass lawn, you'll want to sod or plug your bare spots. Purchase a few pieces of sod or enough plugs to cover your bare spots from your local garden center. Then prepare the area by applying a generous layer of Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Soil. Scotts® Lawn Soil provides an excellent base for new sod or plugs because it improves moisture retention. Lay the sod pieces or plugs directly on top of the soil, tamp down with your feet, then water. Water daily for a least a week, then as necessary.
Tender seedlings as well as existing grass need nutrients to help grow thick and strong. Immediately after repairing bare spots, feed your whole lawn with Scotts® Southern Turf Builder® with 2% Iron. Designed especially for Southern lawns affected by brutal heat and drought, Southern Turf Builder® delivers much-needed nutrients to stressed and hungry lawns.
Water the newly seeded or sodded areas frequently until seedlings develop and have a chance to fill in, usually 1-4 weeks. Then, instead of watering a little more frequently, water a lot less frequently. It's best to water deeply once a week under normal weather conditions or a bit more often when it's extremely dry. A good, thorough soaking rather than a quick watering ensures that the water gets down to the root system. This helps roots grow strong and deep for a thick, more drought-resistant lawn.
