If the lawn looks worn and patchy, you can easily repair the damage. Here we give you the tools to help you reseed bare spots or quickly repair them yourself with a lawn patch.
How to successfully repair lawns?
Repairing lawns can be done by reseeding or paving lawns. Prepare the soil by mowing the lawn, scarifying damaged areas and enriching the soil. Then scatter the seeds or lay turf paving and roll the area.
Good soil preparation creates the basis
Regardless of whether you want to repair the damage to the lawn by reseeding or with a lawn patch, the following preparation of the soil sets the course for success:
- Mow the lawn with a cutting height of 3-4 centimeters
- Scarify the damaged areas manually or mechanically
- Enrich loamy soil with sand and clay powder, sandy soil with compost and horn meal
If you want to sow lawn seeds to repair it, experts recommend against additional fertilization. Only when repairing damage with turf paving should a special starter fertilizer be administered as part of the soil preparation.
Reseeding gaps in the lawn - this is how it works
Forward-looking gardeners always save a small supply of seeds after sowing a new lawn for future repairs. Alternatively, specialist retailers offer suitable seeds that adapt to the existing greenery. Follow these steps to carry out the repair:
- Spread the seeds by hand on small damaged areas
- Repair large gaps with a spreader or hand spreader
- Work the light germinators a little into the soil or sieve thinly with sand
- Ideally sprinkle a seed aid 0.5 centimeters high over it, like vermiculite (€28.00 at Amazon)
Finally, water the repaired area of lawn and consolidate it with the lawn roller or flat spade. A good soil connection is important for the rapid germination of seeds when reseeding.
This is how rolled turf as a pavement repairs damage to the greenery
Repairing gaps, holes and bare spots in the lawn by reseeding requires a lot of patience. It takes several weeks for the seeds to germinate and form a dense surface. If you prefer to repair the lawn in a day, turf acts as a practical green patch. After the soil preparation described, take care of the matter in these steps:
- Laying the turf paving on the day of delivery
- Start repair along a straight edge
- Cut the turf into shape with a sharp knife
In the last step of the quick repair, water the finished lawn extensively and roll the green pavement several times. In the following 4 weeks, areas of lawn repaired with turf may not be walked on. If the natural rainfall is not sufficient, water the closed gaps thoroughly every 2 days for the first 2 weeks.
Tips & Tricks
You should not mow a repaired lawn too early. Give the repaired areas enough time for vital growth. Only when the young grasses have reached a height of 8 centimeters are they cut for the first time. Until then, either steer the lawnmower around the areas in question or refrain from cutting the lawn.
