Repairing a lawn is pretty simple. To fix bare spots in the lawn, first remove the dead grass. Then lightly scrape the soil to loosen it. What is done from this point on depends on the type of grass growing. If it's a spreading variety such as Bermuda or zoysia or buffalo grass, don't do anything, because in time the grass will grow into and quickly fill such a small area. For a clump-forming grass such as fescue or rye, seed the area. Scatter a handful of seeds on the ground, press them firmly into the soil and keep the area moist until the seeds germinate, usually within a week.
Bare Spot From Tree Removal
Removing a tree can leave large roots, which can create problems. First, dig up the rotten roots to create a hole. Fill the hole with compost, or if compost isn't available, use some store-bought topsoil instead. Again, it depends on the type of grass in the yard as to what step is next.
Compacted Soil
Soil that is compacted by the addition of a new driveway and sidewalks needs to be amended. Depending on the amount of sun that the area gets, either shade-tolerant or soil-tolerant grass can be planted. The first step involves removing as many weeds as possible while being careful to leave what little grass is growing. Unfortunately, rototilling isn't practical in this area because a lot of roots lie beneath the soil, so add a two- or three-inch layer of sifted compost or topsoil directly on top of the soil to amend it. Loosen the subsoil with a pitchfork, rake the area smooth and begin placing the grass in the form of sod or plugs.
