How to Renovate a Lawn with Bare Patches and Weeds?

Are you looking to renovate your lawn this season? Let us help you create the outdoor oasis of your dreams!

At Landzie, we offer a comprehensive range of lawn renovation tips and DIY guides that can teach you how to transform your yard into an inviting, beautiful space.  No matter what type of lawn renovation project you have in mind, we can help!

Lawn renovation is an extensive lawn care procedure that removes some or all of your existing vegetation and replaces it with new, healthy grass. Some renovation projects will remove more grass than others. Although the steps to renovate a lawn are physically demanding, it is truly worth the effort when you finally get to enjoy your perfect lawn.  We recommend that you renovate your lawn when it is overgrown with weeds or if more than 30% of the healthy vegetation is dead. If more than 50% of your grass is salvageable, consider using less invasive methods.

Step 1: Getting a Soil Test

To make sure that your lawn will remain healthy after it is renovated, we recommend testing your soil first. This can be done by contacting your area’s extension office and purchasing a test. Although the price for these tests varies by your location and the type of test you buy, it generally ranges from $10 – $95. To collect a soil sample, retrieve a core of your soil from the top 8″-12″ of ground.  The Landzie Soil Probe with T Handle makes quick work of retrieving a 20-inch core for sampling.  Soil tests analyze your soil’s pH and nutrient levels and also recommend plants and grasses. These tests can help you understand your lawn’s needs and ways to provide for it accordingly.

Benefits of Getting a Soil Test

1. Determine Fertilizer Needs: A soil test can indicate the levels of essential nutrients in your soil, helping you to determine the right fertilizer to use.
2. Improve Soil Quality: By understanding the nutrient levels in your soil, you can make informed decisions about how to improve it.
3. Reduce Pollution: By understanding the nutrient levels in your soil, you can make informed decisions on how to reduce the potential for pollution.
4. Save Money: By understanding the nutrient levels in your soil and your fertilizer needs, you can save money by not over–fertilizing.
5. Improve Plant Health: By understanding the nutrient levels in your soil, you can reduce the potential for nutrient deficiencies and other plant problems.

Step 2: Dethatching

For a lawn that can be salvaged, dethatching can help encourage new healthier grass growth. Thatch is a layer of straw-like material that builds up around the base of the grass. It is made up of grass stems and roots that are resistant to decay. That being said, there is no evidence that suggests that grass clippings contribute to thatch buildup, so regular mowing should not cause its accumulation. Some kinds of grasses are more prone to developing thatch, but it can also be caused by acidic soil, excessive nitrogen, and certain insecticides or fungicides. Thatch is a layer of dead organic material, such as grass, leaves, and twigs. Removing thatch will allow more light and air to reach your grass and improve drainage. Once thatch has built up, it must be removed physically. This can be done with a vertical lawn mower, a rake, or special dethatching equipment. The best time to dethatch is early spring or late fall when the grass is actively growing.

Step 4: Aerating

No matter the route you choose when it comes to renovating your lawn, aerating your soil will help.  Aerating is especially beneficial for reducing compaction, which will allow your grass to grow deeper, healthier roots. To aerate your soil, there are both machine and manual device options. Both work the same way in that they extract cores from the soil. From there, the rest of the dirt can fill in the holes, which improves texture.  Aeration also allows water and nutrients to seep deeper into the soil. Generally speaking, the more you aerate, the better.

Step 5: Adding Soil Amendments

Common soil amendments include compost, peat moss, lime, etc. The results from your soil test will help you choose which one(s) are best for your yard. These amendments should be mixed down into the soil to improve its overall quality. Especially after using herbicides, it is important to add these amendments before you seed. This will ensure that grasses grow in prime conditions.

While fertilizer is usually a good option for everyone, compost also helps to improve your soil’s texture and microbiome. Alternatively, if your soil is particularly acidic, lime will help raise its pH. When using these soil amendments, remember that too much of them can do more harm than good. Sandier soils will not need the same amount of added material as ones heavier in clay. Additionally, using too much compost or peat moss overtop grass can smother it, and raising the soil’s pH too much makes it harder for grasses to absorb nutrients. However, the right amendments in the right quantities will allow your lawn to thrive. 

Step 6: Grass Seed Choice

Your grass seed choice will depend not only on your soil’s test results but on your region and climate as well. Consider your soil’s composition, how shady your lawn is, and how much rain you get (among other things). Every grass type will have its pros and cons. For example, perennial ryegrass can stand a good amount of wear and tear, but it has a high need for water and can tend to grow in clumps. On the other hand, Kentucky Bluegrass is resistant to cold and disease but needs to be mowed regularly and is prone to thatch. While alright in some situations, bagged grass seed mixes have quite a few drawbacks. Many use annual rather than perennial grasses, which will not come back the next year. Additionally, the different species may be slightly different in color or texture. Thus, further research will be necessary to find grass that is right for your needs.

Step 7: Sowing Grass Seed

To sow your grass seeds, you will need a properly prepared seed bed, water, and the seeds themselves. Although the most popular times to plant grass seeds are in the spring and autumn, it is also possible to plant during the summer if your soil is moist. Most grasses will have instructions on the amount needed per square foot, so refer to the bag. Do not use more than the instructed amount, as it will not allow the grass to spread out as it grows. If you have a lot of ground to cover, consider getting a seed spreader to save time. If instead, you have a few smaller areas, you can use your hands. Next, mix in the seeds gently with a rake or your hands and pat them into the soil. The seeds do not need to be pushed in deep into the soil; about ⅛ inch will be deep enough. Make sure the seeds receive good watering after they are sown.

Step 8: Spread Topdressing

Spreading a topdressing over grass seed is one of the best ways to ensure healthy growth.  Our favorite topdressing is compost because it is an eco-friendly solution to apply all of the best nutrients to your lawn.  Compost helps to break up hard soil, allowing for increased water retention and improved nutrient absorption. It also provides beneficial microorganisms that help promote healthy root growth. When added to grass seed, it helps provide a better environment for the seedlings to grow in.

Spreading compost over grass seed is fairly straightforward, but there are a few steps you should take to ensure the best results. First, make sure you use well-rotted compost that is free from any large pieces or debris. If you’re using store-bought compost, be sure to read the label carefully so you know what type of compost you’re using. Once you have your compost ready, use a compost spreader to spread it evenly over the area where you want grass seed planted. Use a lawn leveling rake to firm up the compost over the grass seed and level out the surface.

Keep an eye on your grass seed during its first few weeks of growth and make sure it receives plenty of water during dry spells (without over-watering). Did you know that you should avoid watering your grass at night?  With regular mowing and occasional fertilizer applications according to seasonality and soil type needs, your grass should establish itself nicely with help from its nutritious layer of compost!