Patching dead spots: With a sharp spade, outline a triangle or a rectangle around the dead spot. With the spade held horizontally, cut the sod free, removing about 1 inch of soil. If the patch is large, roll up the sod as you cut it. Using the removed piece as a pattern, cut a replacement piece of sod from an inconspicuous part of the lawn. Loosen the surface of the soil in the bare spot, and lay the new piece. Press it firmly into place, and water thoroughly. Keep the soil moist until the new piece mends. For more information about laying sod, see New Lawns.
Sod nursery: Establish your own sod nursery so that matching sod will always be available for patching dead spots. Plant the nursery in an out-of-the-way part of the yard, or use an edge of the lawn. Plant either seed or sod of the same kind as the lawn. Maintain the turf nursery as you do the rest of the lawn. Use as needed.
Spot seeding: Do not plant seeds on top of dead grass or crusted soil. Remove all debris and dead grass. Scratch the surface of the soil ¼ to ½ inch deep. Sow seeds, and top-dress lightly with fine soil. Press the soil down firmly. If the weather is dry, mulch lightly (1/8 inch) with sawdust, straw, or leaf mold. Water thoroughly and keep the surface of the soil moist until the seedlings are established. For more information about sowing grass seeds, see New Lawns.
Edging: For a neat, straight edge of grass, use a board as a cutting guide. Trim the edge with a sharp spade or half-moon edging tool. Slice through the turf at an outward angle. Cutting inward will remove the roots of the grass plants growing along the edge. Throughout the season, trim any overhanging grass with grass shears or a trimmer.
Leveling: To level bumps, cut an H across the bump. Roll the two flaps of sod back like a carpet. Scrape off enough soil to level the bump. Roll back the cut turf, making sure it is level. Press into place and water thoroughly. Keep the sod moist until it mends. To raise depressions, follow the instructions above, but bring the exposed soil to level by filling and tamping. Or without cutting the sod, sift ¼ inch of soil into the depression at each mowing until the lawn is level. Use soil that is similar to the soil in the lawn.
Renovating the lawn: You can renovate a neglected lawn without beginning over. First kill any weeds with an herbicide containing glyphosate. Carry out the renovation just before a period of rapid growth--early summer for warm-season grasses, spring or fall for cool-season grasses. To determine which type you have, see Turfgrass Climate Zones. Relieve any compaction and remove thatch as described in Compaction. Mow the lawn as short as possible. Loosen the soil surface with a rake in bare or thin spots. Reseed with matching grass seed. Top-dress lightly with fine soil. Water thoroughly, and keep the surface moist until the seedlings are established.
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