Bare spots invite weeds and look terrible. Here is how to diagnose the cause and fix them properly so they stay fixed.
Fixing a bare spot without understanding why it appeared means it will come back. Common causes in Middle Georgia include grub damage, heavy foot traffic, pet urine, chemical spill, disease, and compacted soil. Grub-damaged areas feel spongy. Pet urine spots are small, round, and surrounded by a dark green ring. Disease patches have distinct edges. Address the cause before repairing the turf.
Rake out any dead grass and debris from the bare area. Loosen the top 2 to 3 inches of soil with a garden rake or hand cultivator. If the soil is compacted clay (common in Middle Georgia), mix in a thin layer of compost or topsoil to improve the growing medium. Level the area so it sits slightly above the surrounding grade — new soil and sod settle over time.
Most warm-season grasses used in Middle Georgia (bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede) establish better from sod or plugs than from seed. Bermuda seed is available and works for small areas if you can keep it consistently moist. St. Augustine and zoysia do not establish well from seed at all — sod or plugs are your only option. For patches larger than a few square feet, sod provides faster results.
Keep repaired areas consistently moist for the first 2 to 3 weeks. Water lightly twice daily until new sod roots or seeds germinate. Avoid foot traffic until the new grass is established. Do not fertilize for 4 to 6 weeks. Once the repair blends with the surrounding lawn, resume your normal maintenance schedule.
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