When you notice small bald areas in your Fargo-Moorhead lawn, you can easily fix the spots by planting new grass. Before planting new grass, it is important to try and figure out what caused the bald patch. Unless you figure out the cause of the problem, you will likely find yourself repeating this process down the road. Inspect the dead spot, looking for issues such as water drainage problems, overly compacted soil, insect infestation, or too much shade. Once you have corrected the problem, it’s time to plant your grass.
Remove Excess Grass In The Area
Remove any remaining grass in the bald spot. Use a flat spade shovel to remove the top layer of dirt and grass in an area that is just slightly larger than the original bald lawn spot.
Loosen The Soil
Loosen the soil in the area where the grass will be planted. Use a spade shovel to loosen the top 4″ of soil. Breaking up the soil will make it easier for the new grass plants’ root systems to grow deep. Remove any stones or plant debris you find.
Enhance The Health Of The Soil
Enhance the health of your soil. Adding organic matter to your soil will give your grass seeds a great head start. Work the compost into your soil with your shovel or a rake.
Level The Soil Surface
Level the soil surface. Make sure the soil is smooth and at the same height or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. If the soil level is too low, you may end up with water accumulation that can lead to disease and may repeat the cycle.
Spread Some Seed
Spread seed over the soil. Make sure to choose a grass seed that matches your growing environment and the existing grass. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or fescue are typically good choices for the Fargo-Moorhead area. If you are repairing a small area, you can spread the seed by hand. If you are reseeding a larger area, use a hand spreader or a wheeled fertilizer spreader.
Use Mulch
Apply a covering of mulch. Cover the seeded area with a layer of peat moss, straw, or other mulch product. Applying a layer of mulch helps to conserve moisture, minimizes weeds taking advantage of the great soil, and increases the density of the turf.
Keep The Soil Moist
Keep the soil lightly moist, but not soggy wet, until your seeds begin to sprout. Seeds need to stay moist or they will dry out and die, however, over-watering can also kill grass seeds. Water at least twice a day, or more depending on the weather and your specific soil conditions.
You can expect to see your seedlings start to sprout in about 4-7 days. Once your grass reaches around 4 inches in height, it will be ready to be mowed. Keep the mower at a high setting to allow the grass to grow strong and thick. Avoid foot traffic on newly planted grass to keep the soil from becoming compacted. Regular fertilizing can begin after 6-8 weeks of growth.
If you need more information on caring for your Fargo-Moorhead lawn, or would like a quote on any of our expert lawn care services contact us today.