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How to fix bare patches in the lawn

Small outdoor room with a decking, pergola, green lawn and plants.
Losing the turf war? Restore lawn order with these expert tips to feed and maintain your grass.

Going bald

Bare or thinning patches in the lawn can ruin the look and feel of a space. While repairs are easy, it’s important to address the root causes to prevent it from happening again. This may include treating for pests and diseases, aerating the lawn, removing overhanging branches, or creating new tracks or areas for kids and pets to play.

How to repair bald patches

Cool season grasses like perennial rye and tall fescue do not have runners, so they will not spread into the surrounding bare patches. You will need to sow lawn seed to help thicken up those areas. However, warm season grasses like couch, kikuyu or buffalo run and spread, so can be encouraged to thicken up neighbouring patches with regular feeding and watering. If there are large patches, you may want to consider putting down lawn seed.

A person raking leaves into a pile on an area of grass

To sow lawn seed, you will need:

  • Suitable lawn seed (Note: There is no buffalo lawn seed. Buffalo can only be repaired by using plugs or purchasing new rolls of turf.)
  • A rake
  • Lawn topsoil

Step 1: Remove weeds from the area and rake away any dead lawn stems and foliage. Grade and level, adding topsoil if needed.

Step 2: Lightly rake one way to create shallow furrows. Scatter lawn seed over the area, using only as much as is required (as specified on the pack).

Step 3: Lightly rake to cover the seeds with soil. Water with a fine mist spray.

Step 4: Keep the soil moist at all times, otherwise, seeds may dry out and result in poor germination and patchy growth.

Step 5: Mow when the lawn reaches 5-7cm tall, but only remove the top 2cm. As the lawn matures, you can gradually lower the blades.

To lay turf, you will need:

Step 1: Remove weeds from the area and rake away any dead lawn stems and foliage. Grade and level, adding topsoil if needed.

Step 2: Use a spade or shears to cut the turf to size. If you have multiple areas to fill, make the most of a roll and cut it into small squares.

Step 3: Lay it in the bare patch and gently firm down. Dress the sides with remaining top soil.

Step 4: Water the patch well and continue to water for the next 6-8 weeks, or until it is well established.

A person rolling out a strip of turf

Keep up the good work!

Keep up your lawn maintenance practices to avoid dead grass. Follow our rundown on everything you need to know about caring for a buffalo lawn. 

 
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.