Michael's Turf VLOG - How to Fix Thinning & Bare Patches in Your Lawn

Struggling with thinning and bare patches in your lawn? 
Join Michael as he steps you though what's needed to get your patch of turf back in shape.

Video Transcript

Welcome back to the Turf Vlogs! I hope you're all doing well. As we head into winter, many of us are facing challenges with our turf areas. Some may be struggling with thin patches due to summer pressures or fungal grub attacks, while others may be dealing with heavy traffic. Today, we'll discuss how to encourage growth in these bare areas and achieve consistent, thick grass throughout your lawn.

Firstly, it's important to address nutrient-deficient areas by decompacting the ground through aeration. This will break up the profile and make it easier for grass runners to root down. Adding water and a soil conditioner like our Verde-Cal Gypsum can also improve the soil base. Additionally, removing dead organic matter like grass clippings or dead grass from bare patches will allow space for new growth and shoots to cover over and boost grass health.

Top dressing is another effective way to encourage grass to spread over bare areas. It improves drainage and brings the soil level up to the perfect height for runners to spread over. A washed river sand is an excellent option for this scenario. Finally, adding a slow-release fertiliser like Combi Green or TurfStar will provide the lawn with the food and energy it needs to push out more runners and roots.

Regular mowing, promoting lateral growth, and watering will further thicken up your grass. Remember not to remove more than one-third of the leaf blade when mowing, and use a soil wetting agent like AquaSport or AquaPro to hold water in the root zone and encourage strong roots. Be sure to remove weeds prior to applying top dressing or fertiliser, as thin areas and bare patches are often breeding grounds for weeds. If your bare areas are large, reseeding or turfing should be considered.

I hope these tips have been helpful. If you need advice specific to your area and grass, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team. Thank you for tuning in, and we look forward to hearing from you next time!