How to Get a Green Lawn

Find out how to deal with dead patches in a lawn. Get tips on adding a thin layer of topsoil with the new seed and blocking off the area so it doesn't get stepped on.

LESLIE: Now we’re going to take a call from Rodney in Tennessee.

Rodney, how can we help?

RODNEY: We have these giant dead patches all throughout the lawn and I’ve tried just regular Home Depot like Miracle Grow lawn mix and that kind of stuff and nothing seems to really be helping. And I don’t know what I can do to try to get a completely green lawn.

TOM: Well, have you – before you put the seed in, have you been raking aggressively that old turf to loosen it up?

RODNEY: Yeah. Yes.

TOM: OK. Have you put any topsoil in those areas?

RODNEY: No, I haven’t done that.

TOM: That would probably be a smart thing to do. You need to replenish that soil with some that’s got a lot more organic matter in than probably what’s there now. I would try adding some topsoil, just a thin coating, with the new seed and then making sure you block that area off so that you don’t get any traffic in there. And you have to absolutely water it very frequently until it really starts to sprout; at least every other day. And then it will get a halfway decent chance of getting a foothold and getting started to grow.

RODNEY: OK.

TOM: Alright?

RODNEY: Alright, I’ll try that.

TOM: OK. Rodney, thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT, 888-666-3974.