Here’s the thing about good old Kiwi lawns: they’re perfectly imperfect. We’re in one of the best climate zones in the world to grow a gorgeous green lawn, but Kiwi gardens are also plagued by pests, heavy rainfall, and some of the highest UV ratings in the world. All of that – plus plenty of life to live – amounts to some occasional bare patches you might need to deal with.
Luckily, these are reparable. Lawn repair is a careful art, but if you need to know how to repair bare patches, you’re in the right place. Stick with the elite property care team from Paramount Gardening for our guide to bare patch repair.
What causes bare patches on lawns?
While there’s no single culprit causing the need to repair bare patches on a lawn, there are a few factors you can look out for. Some of the most common things causing your lawn to fray might include:
- Foot traffic, since regular movement over the same spot compacts the soil and stops the grass roots from growing.
- Oddly enough, pets! Dog urine, in particular, can burn your grass or leave dry, yellow patches.
- Pests and diseases can cause widespread patches, which should trigger a deeper lawn repair.
- A shade or moisture imbalance could be responsible, especially if the patch is under a tree or near a downpipe with too much water.
- Poor soil health can also be the culprit, as compacted or nutrient-depleted soil will struggle to support a healthy lawn.
- On some new builds, the developers sometimes just cover patches of concrete with soil before planting the lawns, and this can create spots where the grass roots don’t have enough soil to grow, and then they turn yellow in summer.
The best thing you can do is to take a quick walk around your garden and identify the cause. If you need to repair bare lawn patches, you may be dealing with a widespread issue, such as pests or poor soil health. However, if it’s just in one spot, chances are you’re dealing with something more localised.
Quick tips for simple lawn repair:
The most important thing to do with lawn repair is to treat the root cause (see what we did there?) rather than patching over the surface issue. This usually involves putting a bit of DIY time and care into your space and preparing to reseed the patch, which pays off in a variety of ways.
Here’s how we think you should get started.
Loosen the soil in the patch.
Start by raking out any dead grass and loosening the top layer of soil in the bare patch. This helps the new grass seed take hold easily. Once you’ve done that, drop some fresh topsoil or compost over top – thinly – to even out the area and improve the nutrient mix in the soil.
Reseed the patch.
Once the soil is back to normal, choose a grass seed that matches your existing lawn. Aotearoa has a lot of cold-season blends like ryegrass or fescue, but if you need help identifying your grass, our team can help you as part of a wider garden service.
Grab the seeds and scatter them evenly, pressing them gently into the soil.
Water lightly, often.
Once the seed is down, ensure the area remains damp, but avoid overwatering. Begin with a daily dose of water for the first couple of weeks, then gradually reduce it as the grass takes root. As you’re doing this, make sure to stay well away and keep any pets or children from stomping through, as this can kill the young grass.
When might you need a professional lawn repair specialist?
If your lawn has more bare patches than green, or if repairs never seem to hold, it’s time to call in a pro.
A professional team (like ours at Paramount Gardening) can:
- Diagnose underlying issues that can bring those patches back, such as poor drainage, pest damage, or nutrient imbalance.
- Aerate compacted soil to restore oxygen and improve root health.
- Apply professional-grade topdressing, fertiliser, and pest treatments.
- Reseed or re-sod large areas for an instant transformation.
In many cases, a one-time lawn repair visit can initiate a vital reset of your lawn all at once. This is a long-term investment in the health of your lawn, so while it won’t necessarily be an overnight change, the returns you’ll see from getting a professional involved in a widespread lawn repair are unmatched.
Occasionally needing to repair bare patches in a lawn is a common part of having a garden, so let any shame about the patches go! You can bring even the most stubborn spots back to life with the right approach, and we can help if you need it.
Need help reviving your lawn? Talk to Paramount Gardening.
We spend our days transforming gardens, and yours might be next! Get in touch with us to learn how to repair bare patches that a lawn might develop, or bring us on board to ensure your garden is gorgeous year-round.
Ready for a gorgeous garden? Get in touch with our team today to book your first lawn care visit.
