Lawn's Bare Spots May Just Need Seed

Got bald spots on your lawn? Determine the cause before you pursue treatment.

Does your lawn have bald spots?

Before turf can be treated, you need to determine the cause of the problem. If you eliminate fungi, bugs, grubs, or other pests as causes, you may just need some seeds.

Once the ground temperature warms to about 52 degrees, seeds will grow. Good seed-to-soil contact will get the seeds germinating fast.

Using a sharp spade or shovel, cut the area around the dead turf. Then, use the flat part of the spade to lift off the dead turf. Because you are removing at least a couple of inches of thatch and grass, fill in the area with some clean topsoil to keep it level with the rest of the yard.

Rake out the area until it is smooth and there are no big clumps in the soil. Cast a thin layer of seeds on the area, then gently rake the seeds into the topsoil. Cover it with straw to hold in moisture and protect the seeds from birds.

If your lawn seems thin all over, try overseeding it. The basics are the same as patching. Rake the area well, picking up any leaves and debris in the turf. Cast the seeds over the turf, then spread about a half an inch of compost or topsoil on the lawn. To get good seed-to-soil contact, gently rake the seeds and soil into the grass.

Water the seeds in the early morning and evening until they germinate. Once they start to sprout, water the lawn every day. It will be ready for a light application of fertilizer before the heat of summer begins.

If the turf has been damaged by pet urine, it will resemble a patch of straw in the center with a dark green ring around the outside. The urine acts much like a fertilizer burn. Ohio State University scientists recommend watering the area to dilute the concentration of urine. If you are able to keep the pet off the lawn, the grass can be reseeded.

But let's face it, pets need a place to go, too. Give them an area of their own that you don't have to protect. Fence off a pet run on the side of the garage, behind the garden, or somewhere less noticeable than the entire backyard. Try planting a tougher fescue in their pen. It will survive the constant trampling a bit better than the common rye and bluegrass found in most lawns. Take them for a walk around the neighborhood or park. This will give them even more territory to cover, instead of your small backyard.