and let the blades grow through before repeating. This gradual approach is safer than dumping a thick layer over the lawn and blocking out light.
Bare patches can be repaired with seed, plugs or runners, depending on your grass type. Kikuyu usually fills in quickly once it is fed and watered correctly, while Buffalo and LM Berea may need a more patient approach. In shaded areas, check whether the grass variety is suitable before trying to force a lawn where it does not want to grow.
Sometimes the best lawn repair is not more lawn. Under dense trees or in permanently damp areas, consider stepping stones, mulch, groundcovers or shade-tolerant planting instead.
Deal with weeds before they take over
Spring weeds are opportunists. They germinate quickly when temperatures rise and soil is disturbed. If your lawn has gaps after winter, weeds will move in before the grass has a chance to fill out.
Remove weeds while they are still small and before they set seed. Hand-pulling works well after rain or watering, especially for isolated weeds. For larger infestations, choose a lawnsafe herbicide suited to your grass variety, and ask your local Agrimark garden specialist if you are unsure.
A dense, healthy lawn is still the best long-term weed control. The more the grass fills in, the less space there is for weeds to establish.