Now’s the Time To Reseed Lawn’s Brown Spots

Q:I have several dog spots in the front yard that need reseeding. The lawn is mainly Bermuda grass. Is now the time to seed this particular grass?

A: As long as you can keep the dogs off, the birds from snacking and the seed moist enough, you couldn’t pick a better time for this project. Since Bermuda is classified as a warm-season grass, the weather is ideal.

First you’ll need the seed, and I wouldn’t waste any time finding it as some bigbox retailers are starting to change seasons already. Most of our full-service nurseries sell seed but call first to make sure of availability. While you are shopping, be sure to pick up several bags of compost, maybe some topsoil and some gypsum, too.

Now that you are ready to begin with the reseeding, go ahead and rake the spots clean of any dead grass filling the spots. If you can get down to soil level, that would be best. Then set your hose, on a good fair trickle, in the spot and move on to the next spot doing the same thing. You’re watering the spots to help flush any of the dog urine that might have collected through the soil. Having moved to each spot, you should have a yard that looks freckled.

Take the topsoil and backfill the spots to the surrounding soil level. Then dampen that soil to help tamp it into place. Add more soil, if needed, to keep everything level. Next, sprinkle the Bermuda seed on the spots. You’ll want to sprinkle heavy so there will be full coverage in those places when the seed starts to grow. Lastly, you’ll want to cover the seeded spots with a stout layer of compost. Aim to spread a layer onehalf to three-quarters of an inch thick. Sounds like a lot, but the seed needs to be protected from the birds and the compost will help keep the areas damp. Don’t worry — the seed will grow through the compost and there shouldn’t be a height difference between the existing lawn and the spots.

Most important will be the watering of the spots. They should not be allowed to dry out at all. Sprinkling three to four times a day might be needed. That means getting out there with the hose and a fan sprayer attachment, if necessary. If you are blessed with a timed system, change the timer to sprinkle three to four times a day for three to five minutes at a time. Remember to keep your regular lawn watering programed, too.

With the soil as warm as it is and your faithful watering you should see signs of germination within seven days, maybe five if all goes well. You won’t need to fertilize this year as the compost and the topsoil should offer all of the nutrients the young grass needs. If you usually apply a “winterizing” style fertilizer in the late autumn that will be OK. Mow as needed, keeping the blades a wee bit on the long side to help shade the soil and keep the lawn’s roots healthy.

With that, you should have a spot-free lawn soon. Not too much work, just a bit of vigilance while you are Digging In.