If Your Grass Still Looks Patchy in May, Use This Fast Repair Treatment – You’ll Have a Lush Lawn Before Summer Arrives
I saw results after just a few weeks
Last year, I was disheartened to see brown patches lingering on my lawn in May, so I set about looking for a product to quickly fix it before backyard hosting season. That's when I tried a patch repair treatment, which transformed my lawn in just a few weeks.
Don't worry if your lawn has brown patches in spring; it can be caused by many common issues, from compacted soil to spring pests. You can usually repair patches in grass with a bit of TLC, and the product that saved mine was the Scotts Lawn Seed Patch & Repair, which is available on Amazon. Unlike using seed alone, this treatment is packed with fertilizer, mulch, and more for faster and stronger grass growth.
This lawn seed is a mix of Kentucky bluegrass seed, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue grass seed. It's designed to fill in bare spots and repair lawn damage in both sunny and shady spots. It has seed, mulch that expands to surround the seed, controlled-release fertilizer, tackifier to help keep seed from washing away, and a protectant to help keep seedlings safe. It covers up to 85 sq ft.
Why Is My Lawn Patchy in May?
There are a few reasons why your lawn may be patchy in May.
It could be lingering problems from winter damage, such as compacted soil from freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rain, and poor drainage.
It may also be that you haven't yet dethatched your lawn (with a thatch rake from Amazon), meaning the grass beneath the debris is suffocating.
Another cause is that spring garden pests have woken up. The likes of leatherjackets and beetle grubs feed on grass roots and can cause bare spots.
If it's been a particularly warm and dry start to spring, drought can also cause a patchy lawn. Or, it might be that your lawn has a nitrogen deficiency.
It is important to diagnose the issue (you might find this soil test kit from Amazon helps with identifying low nutrient levels).
If it is a pest or disease problem, it's important to first eliminate it (see how to get rid of leather jackets) before trying to repair the patches. Likewise, poor drainage should be improved by aerating your lawn.
You can then apply a repair treatment, like the Scotts Lawn Patch & Repair.
Why Shoppers Love It
For me, the patch repair treatment worked quickly and restored my lawn to a lush green carpet in a few weeks, just in time for hosting friends and family in my backyard.
The Scotts Lawn Seed Patch & Repair is easy to use. You simply clear the patch of dead grass, moss, and debris, aerate the soil for better seed contact (I just used a hand fork, like this from Burpee), apply the treatment evenly, and then water.
The blend includes a mulch that expands to surround the seed, a controlled-release fertilizer, a tackifier to help keep seed from washing away, and a protectant to help keep seedlings safe while the grass establishes.
'It is easy to use and very effective, making the grass grow quickly and thick,' one five-star reviewer shares.
'I have beautiful grass growing within two weeks. It’s my spring go-to for my yard every year,' they add.
'The grass is coming in nicely,' another person writes.
I particularly like that the bottle itself is a shaker, making it convenient to apply an even layer on brown patches.
Something to note is that this treatment does require regular watering for success, just like overseeding your lawn and getting seeds to germinate.
Plus, the description notes the seeds germinate best 'when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F'.
This treatment is designed to work in both sun and shady spots, but of course, it might not be the best option if you require more drought-tolerant grasses (e.g., USDA zones 7+).
The seed mix of Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescue grass is considered moderately drought-tolerant, but it requires some consistent moisture during hot spells in summer to keep it looking green and encourage active growth.
For these reasons, some shoppers have had mixed results: 'It works a little, but the results have been pretty inconsistent,' one person notes.
But, for those living in milder climes, it's the perfect quick (and affordable) fix to rescue your lawn in time for summer.
What to Shop
This lawn aerator tool can be used to improve drainage in your lawn. It has 15 iron spikes for efficient use.
This thatching rake is designed to easily remove dead grass, moss, and other debris from your lawn.
This organic liquid lawn food covers 2,000 sq ft and is safe for all lawn types.
Not sure what else to do with your lawn this month? Our spring lawn care checklist has everything you need to know, including advice on fertilizing your lawn.
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