If your lawn has problem areas due to disease, an accidental fertilizer spill or just an area where the grass plants are thin, Agway has solutions to fit your needs. There are 3 basic ways to repair problem areas: patching with sod, patching with seed and overseeding. The method you choose depends of what caused the need for repair and the season of the year. For small bare areas or those damaged by disease, sod or seed is best. Patching by overseeding is best used for larger areas where grass is thin. Repairing your lawn is best performed in the spring or fall. Timing also depends on the region you live in and the variety of grass you intend to use. Your Agway dealer can help you choose what's right for you.

Patching with Sod

Keep the sod moist until planting time. Cut the old sod and any weeds from the area to be repaired with a spade. The bare soil area should be kept free of weeds and other debris.

Add Compost and a granular fertilizer, to the bare soil and work it in. You should prepare the soil just as you would for a new lawn or garden bed.

Using a garden rake, make the soil smooth and level. The planting surface should be about an inch below the surface of the surrounding soil so that the new sod will be level with the rest of the lawn.

Cut a piece of sod to match the hole. Place it firmly onto the prepared soil making sure the edges fit snugly.

Walk on the patch to make sure it settles properly. Water well and often.

Patching with Seed

Prepare the repair site the same way you would for sod.

Sow the seed thickly. Use the same seed variety as the rest of the lawn if you know what it is. If not, choose a variety containing a mixture of grasses that will grow in your region.

Use a layer of straw or garden fabric over the repair site. This helps retain soil moisture and discourages birds. It will also help protect the new sprouts. Keep the site watered well. Good moisture is essential for the germination of your seed.

Mow the grass when it is 3 inches high to encourage root growth.

Overseeding

Mow the existing grass already there as short as possible without damaging the crowns of the plants.

Rough up the soil in between the plants with a garden rake.

Using a spreader, sow the seed over the area at the rate recommended for new lawns. Some seed will land on the existing grass and fail to germinate, thus the higher rate.

Roll the area lightly to ensure good contact between the seed and the soil. You may want to topdress the repair site with compost or  topsoil. Mow the grass when it is 3 inches tall. Water the area often to promote germination.