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Newly seeded lawn has bare patches...

16 years ago

I just planted lawn seed two weeks ago and it's coming in but with lots of bare spots (patchy). We started from scratch since the previous lawn was mostly weeds. Can I put some more seed down now to thicken it up? If so, do I need additional topsoil in those areas or will it germinate with what is growing now? Or will these patches fill in as the lawn matures?

I've never done this before so very new at "new lawn" care!

Thanks in advance

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Comments (4)

bpgreen
16 years ago
Where in WA are you? It makes a big difference if you're in the Seattle area versus someplace like Pasco.
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charlieblue
Original Author
16 years ago
We're in Seattle area.
More info - we have a moderately shaded yard and the seed is JB Premium Sun & Shade(1/3 Perennial Ryegrass and 2/3 Red Fescue)
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It should be just fine without doing anything--grass isn't tolerant of very low temperatures, but a light freeze isn't going to be too much of an issue. My sprouting grass in the back where I got forced into dormant seeding has gotten frost a dozen times, frozen several, and a light snowfall. It came through like a champion. That having been said, any minor germination that has happened (and some has), is in a particularly delicate stage. Around nightfall, water it. If you have a programmable system, set it to water lightly again around 3 AM. The water is fifty degrees, takes forever to drop in temperature, and won't freeze well. If you don't have a programmable system, don't get up and water it. Just water moderately heavily at nightfall, not enough to cause runoff, and give it a very light shot when you get up if you can. On the up side, the mulching material in the Patchmaster will help the lawn hold some warmth as well.
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My neighbor bought one of the Scotts patch products at Home Depot to replant some bare areas in her lawn a few years ago - it came up very quickly and thick, looked great but instead of established lawn, after a period of time the areas died out again....that wasn't her goal. In reading the product description on the bag of leftover seed trying to determine what went wrong, we came across the 'temporary' - which still doesn't make sense to me, why go to the effort to patch with something that isn't going to last - if it's formulated as quick and temp as for erosion control I wish they would call it just that :) The next step was a trip to a hometown garden center that carries generic seed packaged for this particular area/climate - cool summers and long wet winters. I don't know what type grass does well in your zone, but you may not find it looking at the national brands.
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subywu
16 years ago
Being only 2 weeks, it would be quite natural for your lawn to appear patchy right now. Give it another month for your seedlings to grow and enlarge. Over time, the creeping red fescue will spread to fill in voids. You can always overseed in the fall.
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charlieblue
Original Author
16 years ago
Ok, thank you! We've put so much work into this new lawn that I was starting to doubt if it was done right.

Patience!!
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