It’s not that bad honestly. Just mix a bag of black cow manure with a bag a play sand in the dead areas and put some plugs in. What type grass? Oh, I can’t see the second picture it won’t load
Brilliant_Spite199
Your soil is shit, you need to aerate the lawn then top dress with a three way mix of compost, sand and soil
Rcarlyle
Was something sitting on the lawn there? Or did the grass just die off? It’s a really sharp and angular-lined transition, so if the grass just died off then there’s a good chance there’s something buried under the dead spots.
(Pro tip: most yards have large debris buried in them. The only question is whether it’s of a size and depth that bothers the grass.)
Brilliant_Spite199
Reviving your lawn in Southern California with compacted soil can be done in five easy steps:
1. Loosen the Soil
• Use a garden fork or manual aerator to break up compacted soil. Insert the tool and wiggle it to create holes 2-3 inches deep, spaced 6-12 inches apart. If the area is large, rent a mechanical aerator.
2. Amend the Soil
• Spread organic compost or a mix of sand and compost over the area to improve drainage and nutrients. Work it into the aerated holes with a rake to create a loose, healthy soil bed.
3. Seed the Bare Spots
• Choose a drought-tolerant grass seed blend suitable for Southern California (e.g., Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass). Scatter the seeds evenly over the bare spots and lightly rake to cover them with soil.
4. Water Regularly
• Water lightly 2-3 times daily for the first 10-14 days to keep the soil moist. Once the grass starts sprouting, reduce watering to deeper, less frequent sessions.
5. Maintain and Fertilize
• Apply a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus to promote root growth. Mow carefully once the grass reaches 3-4 inches, keeping blades sharp to avoid damaging new growth.
If weeds are present, remove them manually before starting, and consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide during the off-season to prevent future problems.
Marley3102
Looks to me like those spots appear to be lower than the rest and pooling water. If that’s the case, you might have some extra native soil lying around in those beds to fill them in. If fescue, seed. If bermuda, plug as it wont fill in on its own til july based on current temps.
5 Comments
It’s not that bad honestly. Just mix a bag of black cow manure with a bag a play sand in the dead areas and put some plugs in. What type grass? Oh, I can’t see the second picture it won’t load
Your soil is shit, you need to aerate the lawn then top dress with a three way mix of compost, sand and soil
Was something sitting on the lawn there? Or did the grass just die off? It’s a really sharp and angular-lined transition, so if the grass just died off then there’s a good chance there’s something buried under the dead spots.
(Pro tip: most yards have large debris buried in them. The only question is whether it’s of a size and depth that bothers the grass.)
Reviving your lawn in Southern California with compacted soil can be done in five easy steps:
1. Loosen the Soil
• Use a garden fork or manual aerator to break up compacted soil. Insert the tool and wiggle it to create holes 2-3 inches deep, spaced 6-12 inches apart. If the area is large, rent a mechanical aerator.
2. Amend the Soil
• Spread organic compost or a mix of sand and compost over the area to improve drainage and nutrients. Work it into the aerated holes with a rake to create a loose, healthy soil bed.
3. Seed the Bare Spots
• Choose a drought-tolerant grass seed blend suitable for Southern California (e.g., Bermuda, St. Augustine, or Buffalo grass). Scatter the seeds evenly over the bare spots and lightly rake to cover them with soil.
4. Water Regularly
• Water lightly 2-3 times daily for the first 10-14 days to keep the soil moist. Once the grass starts sprouting, reduce watering to deeper, less frequent sessions.
5. Maintain and Fertilize
• Apply a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus to promote root growth. Mow carefully once the grass reaches 3-4 inches, keeping blades sharp to avoid damaging new growth.
If weeds are present, remove them manually before starting, and consider applying a pre-emergent herbicide during the off-season to prevent future problems.
Looks to me like those spots appear to be lower than the rest and pooling water. If that’s the case, you might have some extra native soil lying around in those beds to fill them in. If fescue, seed. If bermuda, plug as it wont fill in on its own til july based on current temps.