If you take pride in your lawn, watching bare spots popping up can be frustrating to say the least. Maybe you’ve tried spreading seed and waited, and waited, and waited, with little to no results. Or you turned up the watering schedule, only to watch the problem get worse instead of better.

It’s enough to make even the most seasoned DIY lawn care expert scratch their head.

Even though you may have tried everything you can think of, bare spots in your lawn are not a lost cause. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the common reasons these patches appear, the best timing and techniques for repair, and how to give your lawn the care it needs to bounce back healthy and green.

Common Reasons for Bare Spots in Lawn

If you’ve noticed dead spots in grass in your backyard after the summer season, you are not alone. Indiana lawns face a variety of stressors that can leave grass struggling to bounce back. Check out a few of the common reasons you may be left asking how to grow grass in bare spots:

• Disease Pressure: Fungal diseases like brown patch or dollar spot can spread quickly in warm, humid conditions. 
• Insect Damage: Pests such as grubs feed on grass roots, cutting off the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients.. When infestations are severe, grass can die off in patches that expand over time.
• Summer Heat Stress: Long stretches of hot, dry weather can cause dead spots in grass.
• Wear & Tear: Heavy foot traffic, kids playing, or pets running can damage turf and compact soil.

When Should I Try to Repair Dead Spots in Grass

The best time to plant grass is - unfortunately - not as soon as you notice it. Summer is actually the toughest time to get new grass established. Heat, drought, stress, disease pressure, and insect activity all stack the odds against baby grass seedlings.

For the best chance of success, fall is the sweet spot. Cooler temperatures, shorter days, and more consistent rainfall create the perfect conditions for seeds to germinate and establish strong roots before winter. Spring can also work, but it comes with added challenges like weeds and heat. Weeds are quick to invade in the spring, and summer heat can cut the growing season short for grass.

How to Fix Dead Spots in Lawn

So, you’ve spotted those ugly brown patches, now what? Knowing how to fix grass properly is key to turning those bare spots into a lush, green lawn. The approach for reseeding lawn bare spots depends on the size of the affected area and the underlying cause.

For larger areas, like where a tree was removed or a major patch has died, we often recommend aerating multiple times or even tilling up the soil to break it up. This ensures the seed makes good contact with the soil, giving it the best chance to take root.

For smaller patches, a simpler method works well. Try roughing up the area slightly, rake in the seed, and make sure it is pressed into the soil. Even then, we rarely recommend patching tiny spots individually. Sometimes it is easier and more effective to overseed the whole area at once to get a consistent and healthy lawn.

Aftercare for your new seed is just as important as preparation. Focus on watering the newly seeded area specifically, keeping the soil evenly moist without overwatering. Adding a starter fertilizer soon after seeding can help give the grass a boost, followed by a regular fertilizer once seedlings are established.

That said, it is always a good idea to check in with a pro before adjusting watering or fertilization, especially if you are unsure whether disease, insects, or other stressors caused the bare spot in the first place. Understanding the root cause ensures your efforts won’t backfire and gives your lawn the best chance to bounce back.

You may assume that brown spots in your lawn just need some more water, but in many cases, watering too much can make the issue much worse. Correct diagnosis and professional guidance are critical for both repairing bare patches in lawn and reseeding lawn bare spots successfully for long-term results.

FAQ for Lawn Patch Repair

How to grow grass in bare spots?

Start by prepping the soil (which means rake or aerate the area), spread the seed, make sure the seed has good seed-to-soil contact, and water until seeds are established. Remember, it is key to select the right seed for your lawn type!

When is the best time to plant grass?

In Indiana, the fall is the prime time to plant grass. Cooler temperatures, more consistent rainfall, and less weed pressure give the best chance to thrive. Spring can work too if needed, but there is much more competition from weeds and increased weather factors.

Why is my grass growing in patches?

Patchy grass can be caused by disease, insect damage, heat stress, soil compaction, or wear and tear. Correct diagnosis of the issue is key before seeding. Watering alone may not solve the problem and can sometimes make it worse.

Can I just throw grass seed on bare spots?

Simply tossing seed rarely works. Successfully reseeding lawn bare spots requires soil prep, proper seed placement, and consistent after-care.

Partnering with Shades of Green for Lawn Care in Lafayette, Carmel, Noblesville, Westfield, Zionsville, and Nearby Areas

Diagnosing bare spots on your lawn can be trickier than it looks. What seems like a simple little brown patch might actually be caused by disease, insects, or other hidden issues. That’s where a professional can make all the difference. An expert eye ensures the problem is correctly identified and the right solution is put into place.

At Shades of Green, we love helping you bring your lawn back to life. From repairing bare patches in lawn to reseeding and ongoing lawn care, we make sure the entire process is done right the first time, so you can enjoy a healthy lawn without the stress.

Need some help repairing bare patches in your lawn? Get started today by filling out our contact form.