When is the Best Time to Repair Your Lawn?

Lawn repairs often require planting new grass. So if you want to know when is the best time to repair your lawn, you have to consider the proper seed germination and root growth temperatures. As you might guess, fall and spring are the two top times. The conditions are ideal with mild weather, more rain, and lots of time for new turf to prepare for harsh winter or summer temps.

But there is more to lawn repairs. There’s sod that can be planted year-round, and dormant seeding that gives you an extra shot at the end of the season. Learn more about when and how to repair your lawn.

What are lawn repairs?

You’re dealing with lawn repairs when only small, localized parts of the lawn are damaged and require intervention, while the rest is neat and thriving – as opposed to lawn renovation, where most of the turf needs a makeover.

Regular lawn repairs include:

• Replacing bare patches
• Leveling a bump or two that hinder mowing
• Making lawn edges neat again
• Filling up low spots where rainwater collects. 

Not all bare spots need repairing. “If the spot is smaller than the size of your fist, there is no need to do anything as the area will likely fill in from surrounding grass in a few weeks,” says the Wisconsin Horticulture Division of Extension.

Turf repairs are often low-cost, require little time, and are easy to DIY. Planning is the most important part. You’ll typically need to plant some grass, and getting the timing right is essential to cover bare spots into lush, thriving turf.

The best time to repair cool-season lawns

The best time to repair your lawn varies with the type of turf you grow. If you live up north, your lawn is likely covered in hardy, cool-season grasses such as ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fescues. They are resilient to cold weather but vulnerable to heat and drought, so it’s best to set up grass repairs in:

• Late summer to early fall is the best choice for lawn repairs. Milder temperatures and frequent rain ensure the best grass seed germination and root growth conditions. Weed competition is lower, and the new grass has enough time to develop sturdy roots and store energy until the soil freezes.
• Late fall through winter by dormant seeding is the second choice if you miss the fall window. Grass plants will sprout early in the spring, enjoying a longer growing season to toughen up for the scorching summer. The drawback is a seed mortality rate higher than early fall or spring seeding.
• Early spring is the last chance for the new growing season, but the best time to repair winter stress damage. You only have a narrow window for planting bare patches to ensure the grass has enough time to establish before the summer heat arrives.

Don’t worry if you’ve missed the fall window entirely. Spring repairs will do the trick if done properly.

 “Mark the spots that need attention now (little flags) and do any soil amendments now and then top seed in the spring but make sure you DON’T use crabgrass preventer in the spring as that will also prevent germination of other grass varieties.” advises Lynne Holland, horticulture professional for the University of Maine Extension.

The best time to repair warm-season lawns

Southern lawns grow mostly warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. Summer grass varieties enjoy the heat and are less resistant to cold, so the best time to fix patches and thin areas in a warm-season lawn is:

• Late spring to early summer (best choice). It allows warm-season grasses time to develop strong roots and survive the cold winter.
• Late fall to early spring by dormant seeding (less common).

Timing also varies with the method you plan to use for repairing the lawn.

“Establish warm-season grasses from seed or sprigs from April through June. Sod establishment from warm-season grasses extends the season an additional month to the beginning of August.” say Morris, B. and Devitt, D. from the University of Nevada.

That’s because grass seeds and sprigs need a few months to establish, while plugs and sod achieve root establishment in just a few weeks.

When and how to repair bare patches 

Start by identifying what caused bare patches on your lawn and solving the problem. Here are some of the most common causes of brown patches and bald spots in a residential lawn:

Common causes of bare spots	What to do
Lawn pests (chinch bugs, grubs, webworms)	Check for signs of lawn pests, consider applying pesticides, or hire a pro to eliminate them.
Fungal diseases	Identify the lawn disease and start applying proper fungal treatments.
Shaded spots where grass doesn’t receive enough sunlight	Trim trees and bushes shading the area. Plant shade-tolerant grass, such as Zoysia or ryegrass.
A hilly area that doesn’t receive enough water	Change the irrigation schedule to water that area more often.
Salt accumulation from snow-treatments	Flush the salt from the soil by watering generously.
Dog urine	Before repairing dog pee spots, water thoroughly to flush the nitrogen and salts in the urine out of the soil.
Heavy foot traffic	Install walkways to keep traffic off the turf. Plant grasses with good traffic tolerance, such as Bermuda and KBG.
Sprinkler problems	Repair or replace clogged or damaged sprinkler heads. Adjust the spraying direction to cover the lawn evenly.
Spilled lawn mower gasoline	Dig the dead patches 2-3 inches deep and replace the contaminated dirt with fresh topsoil.
Fertilizer burns	Water the area thoroughly to flush out the excess nitrogen from the soil.
Soil compaction or large rocks close to the surface.	Core aerate to loosen the soil. Dig and remove rocks from the ground and replace them with fertile soil.
Bare spots left behind by summer annuals	Plant dense, healthy turf to keep weeds from returning.

Treat the cause before starting any repairs; otherwise, the patches will resurface.

Pro tip: Test the soil to check pH and nutrients and apply the proper soil amendments before seeding or installing new sod.

Patch seeding the lawn

When it’s best to repair patches with seed: Wait until soil temperatures are suitable for seed germination and root growth. That is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (spring and fall) for cool-season grasses and between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (spring and summer) for warm-season grasses. 

Repairing bare patches with seed is low-cost and easy, even for first-timers. Choose a mixture of seeds that matches the existing grass in color and texture and can withstand lawn conditions in repaired areas.

To repair lawn patches by seeding new grass, follow these steps:

• Remove debris and weeds across the patch. 
• Rake the thatch layer (the dead grass leaves, stems, and roots over the soil). Then, use the rake to loosen up the topsoil. If the soil is heavily compacted, replace the rake with a core aerator.
• Work in compost and starter fertilizer to improve the seed bed. Level the soil with the back of the rake.
• Spread the grass seed by hand or with a rotary spreader. Apply the recommended seeding rate for your turf variety. Rake the seeds lightly into the soil.
• Cover the seeds with mulch straw or a fine layer of topsoil.
• Water the area to moisten the top 2 inches of soil. Use a watering can and a fine nozzle to avoid dislodging the grass seed. Keep watering the patch 2 to 4 times daily until grass germinates.
• Hand-pull weeds that try to conquer the bare soil.

Our “How to Reseed a Lawn” guide provides detailed information about planting grass seed in your yard. Lawn Love’s “4 Steps to Overseed a Lawn” article also might offer some helpful insights if you’re dealing with a thinned lawn.

Repairing bare patches with grass sprigs

When it’s best to repair patches with sprigs: Sprigging is typically done during the same time window as seeding. That’s mid-August to September or March to April for cool-season turf and May to June for warm-season species, but it varies with location.

According to the Sports Field Management Association, you can plant grass sprigs on your lawn once the last spring frost passes. Use this interactive map to check the last frost date for your location.

Sprigs or runners are a good option for repairing bald spots in warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass, Zoysia, and St. Augustine. They are pieces of stolons or rhizomes 2 to 4 inches long with multiple nodes that can sprout new plants if in good contact with the soil.

To repair a damaged area on your lawn with sprigs, follow these steps:

• Buy fresh sprigs from the local garden center or cut some from around your lawn. Plant the sprigs within 24 hours of harvest.
• Use a shovel to dig 1-2 inches deep furrows 2 or more inches apart. 
• Place sprigs in the furrows and cover them with topsoil to keep the nodes in good contact with the soil.
• Water lightly two to four times daily for 10 to 14 days to keep the soil moist until roots grow from the nodes and establish into the ground.
• Hand-pull weeds until the patch has dense enough grass to smother them.

Repairing a patchy lawn with plugs

When it’s best to repair patches with plugs: Plugs can technically be installed anytime during the growing season, but spring is the best time to plant them for both cool- and warm-season grasses. Summer is the worst time because drought and high heat can easily dry out unestablished plants.

Plugs are chunks of sod, round or square, 1.5 to 3 inches wide, with soil around their roots. You typically plant them 9 to 12 inches apart and let them grow to cover the bare area.

Pro tip: Always buy plugs harvested in the last 24 hours. Keep the plugs moist until you put them into the soil, and plant them as soon as possible.

To install plugs on a bald patch, follow these steps:

• Clean the patch of debris and weeds.
• Water the planting space heavily one day before planting the plugs. 
• Dig holes wide and deep enough for each plug to fit its root system and the soil around it. 
• Make a grid formation or a checkerboard pattern with holes 3 to 10 inches apart. The closer the plugs, the faster you’ll get a dense turf.
• Add some slow-release starter fertilizer in each hole and set the plugs in. Gently press the soil around the plug to ensure good root-to-soil contact.
• Water the plugs daily for 10 to 20 days until roots are established.
• Hand-pull any weeds that grow between the plugs.

You can read more about this method of planting grass in your guide, “How to Grow a Lawn with Grass Plugs in 7 Steps.”

Repairing patchy turf with sod

When it’s best to repair patches with sod: You can plant sod almost any time during the year except in periods with extreme weather. That being said, September to October is the best time to repair a lawn with sod for any type of grass. If you miss the fall window, the next best time to plant sod is:

• March to May if you repair a cool-season lawn
• June to July if you mend a lawn with summer grass species. 

Sod is mature grass you can buy in square patches (often used for repairs) or as rolls (more often used for lawn renovations). It’s the fastest way to repair damaged grass areas and provides instant turf coverage. 

Here’s how to install sod to cover bare spots:

• Use a sod cutter to remove the weeds and dead grass, and about 2 inches of topsoil from the damaged area. Make it a rectangle to simply sod installation. For smaller areas, use a shovel.
• Spread a layer of compost to amend the soil and level the sod with the rest of the lawn.
• Add granular starter fertilizer rich in phosphorus to support root growth.
• Cut the sod to size and lay it on the ground. Avoid gaps and overlaps.
• Press it with a roller to ensure perfect contact between roots and soil.
• Water it deeply to provide enough moisture to the soil.

We also have a complete guide on “How to Install Sod” with all the technical details you might need for a larger installation.

When and how to repair lawn edges DIY

When it’s best to repair lawn edges: Plan turf edge repairs with repairs done on the bare patches in your lawn. This way, the entire yard will look spotless.

If you want your lawn to look perfect, make sure the edges are crisp. Walking back and forth over the edging, too much shade, or too little water are just a few causes that can ruin your lawn’s edge. 

Here’s how to fix damaged lawn edges fast and easy:

• Cut the affected area, slice underneath with a spade, and lift it off the ground. 
• Loosen the soil lightly with a garden fork, then top it with some compost or garden soil and level it with a rake.
• Replant the patch with a strip of sod to get a perfect edge fast. Use grass plugs, sprigs, or seeds if the area is smaller and time is not an issue.

If you’re new to manicuring turf and edging is not yet up your sleeve, read our article “How to Edge Your Lawn” for the basic rules and professional tricks.

When and how to level the bumps and low spots in your lawn

When it’s best to level bumps in your lawn: Leveling bumps involves raking the grass that covers them. Plan the intervention when you plant grass back with the best results – early fall and spring for winter grasses and spring to early summer for summer grasses.

Bumps and hollows in your lawn compromise its appearance, hinder your lawn mower, and affect how water absorbs into the soil and fertilizers spread across the area. 

To level the area, follow these steps:

• Use a flat-bladed spade and cut the grass and topsoil in an H. Peel back the turf.
• Remove the excess soil to flatten a bump (or add some topsoil to fill a low spot).
• Firm the soil down to make it level. Add or remove more soil if necessary until the area is perfectly level.
• Install sod to cover the leveled area with grass. 
• Compress the turf with a roller or the back of a rake to ensure good root-to-soil contact.
• Water thoroughly to moisten the soil.

Benefits of timely lawn repairs

If your yard has become an eyesore, here are some reasons to repair it sooner rather than later:

• If done promptly, lawn repairs are small, low-cost tasks that DIY can solve. 
• They save money by preventing more extensive lawn damage and costly interventions.
• Bare spots planted as soon as possible prevent weeds from getting a strong foothold in your lawn and infesting the entire turf.
• Covering bare soil prevents its deterioration. When exposed directly to sunlight, heat, drought, wind, and rain, bare soil loses texture, beneficial microorganisms, and nutrients.
• Your yard looks amazing all year, improving curb appeal and the outdoor experience for the entire family.

FAQ about lawn repairs

How do you fix a dead lawn?

To fix a dead lawn, you need to renovate it. This means you must remove all the loose dead plant material, get rid of the thatch layer, core aerate or till the area, amend the soil, then replant the lawn by spreading grass seed, planting sprigs, or installing plugs or sod.

When it’s the best time to overseed a lawn?

The best time to overseed a thin lawn is late summer to early fall – late August to September, and springtime, from March to May.

Who can fix my lawn?

Lawn care pros can fix your lawn no matter the issue, from covering bare patches to removing weeds and treating fungal diseases. The cost of lawn repairs varies depending on the problem and its severity.

How can you repair the lawn with grass paint?

Grass paint is a temporary fix for hiding brown spots and dry grass when proper repairs are not possible. You simply spray the affected area with green paint to cover the straw-like color.

Call a professional lawn fixer!

Lawn care professionals can repair your lawn and help keep bare patches away. Find a local lawn care pro on Lawn Love to fix your grass and enjoy the perfect green, dense turf you love!

Main Photo Credit: Adobe Stock