This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor patch a lawn with grass seed.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House:
Shopping List for Patching a Lawn With Grass Seed:
- Grass seed mixed with coconut-fiber mulch
- Granulated lime, used to amend the soil
- Lawn fertilizer, for promoting strong roots
Tools List for Patching a Lawn With Grass Seed:
- Lawn mower
- Grub hoe, for removing damaged grass and weeds
- Garden hose
- Garden rake, for smoothing the soil
- Wheelbarrow, used to transport material
- Steel edger, for cutting the delineation between the healthy lawn and the lawn patch
- Spading fork, used to loosen the soil
Steps for Patching a Lawn With Grass Seed:
1. Mow the lawn relatively short.
2. Use a grub hoe to remove the damaged grass and weeds, but leave the topsoil.
3. Rake up and remove the excavated lawn debris.
4. Use a steel edger to cut a clean border between the damaged area and the healthy lawn.
5. Stomp down on the edger, then pull back on the handle to loosen the soil. Rake up and remove any remaining lawn debris.
6. Loosen the topsoil with a spading fork. Stick the fork down into the soil, then twist the handle to break up the soil.
7. Add a little granulated lime, and then rake it into the soil.
8. Sprinkle grass seed over the area, applying it 1/8 inch thick.
9. Use a garden hose to lightly moisten the top 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of soil. Water frequently to keep the soil moist.
10. When it comes time to mow the newly seeded lawn, adjust the mower height to remove no more than one third of the grass.
11. To prevent the mower's wheels from tearing out the newly seeded lawn, don't pivot or turn the mower on the lawn.
12. Collect and bag the clippings; raking them up can damage the new lawn.
13. Apply lawn fertilizer about two weeks after the first mowing.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
Instagram:
Tumblr:
For more on This Old House and Ask This Old House, visit us at:
How to Patch a Lawn With Grass Seed | Ask This Old House
/