How to Repair a Lawn

How to Repair Lawn

Lawns take a lot of wearweather, foot traffic, pets and pests can all leave their mark. Whether you’re dealing with bare patches, thinning areas or discoloured grass, repairing your lawn is a straightforward process when approached correctly. With the right timing, preparation and care, even the most tired-looking lawn can be brought back to full health.

Start with a Lawn Assessment

Before repairing a lawn, it’s important to understand the cause of the damage. If the problem is isolated to patches from pets or heavy use, the repair will be different than if moss, weeds or disease have thinned out the entire area. Walk the lawn and check for compacted soil, uneven surfaces, excessive thatch or signs of drainage problems.

Once you’ve identified what’s causing the damage, you can choose the most effective method to fix it and stop the issue from coming back.

Rake, Scarify and Clear Debris

Successful lawn repair starts with a clean surface. Rake out dead grass, moss or thatch from the damaged areas. For larger thinning patches, consider light scarifying to expose the soil and remove surface debris. This creates the perfect conditions for new seed to settle and take root. If the area feels compacted or waterlogged, aerate the soil to improve drainage and root access.

Good preparation is key, grass seed won’t establish well if it’s sitting on top of thatch or poorly drained ground.

Apply Seed to Damaged Areas

Once the ground is clear and the surface is open, you can begin reseeding. Choose a grass seed that matches the rest of the lawn in texture and colour. For general-purpose lawns, a ryegrass and fescue mix offers fast germination and good wear resistance.

Sprinkle seed evenly over the bare or thin areas, then lightly rake it in to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. Avoid burying the seed too deep, just enough to nestle it into the surface.

Keep the Area Moist

Moisture is essential during the germination phase. Water the repaired areas lightly every day or two, especially in dry conditions, until the new grass is well established. Be careful not to overwater, as this can wash seed away or create soggy patches that slow growth. Once seedlings are a few centimetres tall, reduce watering and allow the grass to develop deeper roots.

Hold Off on Mowing and Feeding

Don’t mow newly repaired areas until the new grass has reached about five to seven centimetres in height. When you do mow, use a high blade setting and avoid turning or reversing over the young grass. Wait until after the second or third mow before applying fertiliser. Feeding too early can overstimulate growth before the roots are strong enough to support it.

Once established, a balanced lawn feed will support thicker regrowth and help the new grass blend into the rest of the lawn more quickly.

Overseed Larger Areas if Needed

If the damage is widespread or the lawn has thinned out overall, overseeding the entire lawn may be more effective than patching isolated spots. Scarify and aerate the whole area, spread seed evenly, and follow the same watering and mowing principles. Overseeding can dramatically improve lawn density and appearance across an entire garden, especially after winter wear or drought damage.

Final Word

Repairing a lawn is not just about filling in bare spots, it’s about resetting the conditions for healthy, lasting growth. With proper preparation, reseeding and care, even a heavily used or neglected lawn can be restored to a thick, green finish. Address the cause of damage, take your time with aftercare, and your lawn will bounce back stronger than before.