How to repair bare patches in a lawn
Bare and worn patches can be fixed with grass seed or a piece of turf. Spring and autumn are the best times, when the soil is warm and moist.
- Time
- 1 hour, then a few weeks for the grass to establish
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 7
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Lawn seed suited to your lawn (shady, hard-wearing or fine) Search Amazon for lawn seed
- Topsoil or lawn top dressing Search Amazon for lawn top dressing
- Garden fork and rake
- Half-moon edging iron or spade Search Amazon for half moon lawn edger
- Watering can with a fine rose
- Turf, if patching with turf instead of seed
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Safety first
- Don't let newly sown seed dry out. Seedlings die quickly if they do.
- Keep pets off lawn treatments until the product says it's safe.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Pick the right time
The RHS says spring and autumn are best, when the weather is cool and damp. Early autumn is ideal: the soil is still warm, so seed germinates quickly, and there's usually rain.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Work out why it's bare
If the patch is caused by deep shade, use a shade-tolerant seed mix. If it's where people walk or children play, use a hard-wearing mix, or consider stepping stones. Dog urine patches need the soil watered well first to dilute it.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Prepare the patch
Cut out any dead or damaged turf with a half-moon edging iron or spade. Loosen the soil underneath with a fork and remove stones and weeds.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Add topsoil
Rake in a layer of topsoil so the patch is level with the surrounding lawn, and firm it gently with your feet or the back of the rake.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Sow the seed
Scatter the seed evenly over the patch, using the rate on the packet. Rake it in lightly or cover it with a thin sprinkle of topsoil. This helps protect it from birds, but don't bury it so deep that light can't reach it.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Or patch with turf
Alternatively, cut a piece of turf from a less visible part of the lawn, or use new turf, slightly bigger than the hole. Lay it in, trim to fit, and firm it so it sits level. Turf gives an instant result but needs watering well.
Next: step 7 -
Step 7: Water and protect
Water with a fine rose and keep the patch moist while the seed germinates and grows. Keep people and pets off it. Mow lightly, on a high setting, once the new grass is a few centimetres tall.
Tips
- Seed packets give a sowing rate per square metre. Sowing more doesn't help and can cause disease.
- Netting or garden fleece pegged over the patch stops birds eating the seed.
- If you've used moss killer or weedkiller recently, check the packet for how long to wait before sowing.
Questions people ask
How long does grass seed take to grow?
It depends on temperature and moisture. In warm, damp conditions you may see shoots within one to two weeks.
Can I just throw grass seed on bare patches?
You'll get better results if you loosen the soil and add topsoil first, so the seed has good contact with the soil.
Is October too late to reseed?
Early autumn is best. In a mild October, seed can still establish, but growth slows as it gets colder.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- RHS: repairing lawns (rhs.org.uk)
- RHS: how to mow a lawn (rhs.org.uk)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-repair-bare-patches-in-a-lawn/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.