A lawn with extensive areas of patchy growth may benefit from a programme of renovation. If however it is particularly weedy or full of moss, it may be better to establish a new lawn. When there are only a few patches of poor or damaged turf these can be repaired.
Replacing a damaged area
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Dig out the damaged turf and replace with new turf or reseed. The turf or seed used should match the existing lawn. Cut around the damaged area with a half moon edging iron and lift the damaged turf.
Lightly fork over the soil, level and firm lightly. Add a little compost to improve the soil.
Cut a new piece of turf to fill the area.
The finished piece should be level with the rest of the lawn. Adjust the soil level if necessary.
Work a proprietary top dressing mix into the joins and firm with the back of a rake.
If it is not possible to match the lawn, remove a piece of turf from a less prominent part of the lawn.
Rather than using normal seed you will achieve better results by using pre-germinated seed. Add enough seed to some moist compost in a bucket and cover with Clingfilm. Place somewhere warm - no higher than 15oC (60oF). After three days check for signs of growth and then daily thereafter. Once you see signs of the small white roots appearing from the seed you are ready to sow; make sure you keep the compost moist after sowing.
Repairing damaged edges
Cut a piece of turf at the damaged edge and turn it round through 180o so that the cut edge aligns with the lawn
edge and the damaged edge is on the inside.
Prepare the area as for a damaged patch before relaying the turf.
If spare turf is available cut away the damaged edge and replace with a new piece.
If no spare turf is available fill in the bare area with garden soil or top dressing until level before reseeding.
Repairing bumps and hollows
Minor bumps or hollows can be repaired. If the lawn is extensively uneven it may be necessary to relay the lawn.
Cut through the uneven patch making an H-shaped incision and peel back the turf.
Fork over the area and either remove the excess soil or add soil to raise the level.
Level and firm the soil before replacing the turf.
Adjust the level if necessary, top dress the joins and firm with the back of a rake.
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