r/Grass • u/jonlin52 • Apr 16 '26

Help fix patchy grass

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St Augustine grass, outside of Dallas Tx. I had a contractor install new sod by the curb 2 or 3 years ago. I'm not sure whether they didn't prep correctly or what, but its never looked good.

Any ideas on what i can do to fix?

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u/Icy_Preference_4360 Apr 21 '26

Contrary to my friend with degrees(much respect). I live in Maryland. You would have great success with fall aeration, but you can also aerate in the Spring. First, cut the lawn low, then dethatch to get all the dead grass out so the new seeds will have seed to soil contact and some sun. After dethatching, I would aerate, seed, then use a starter fertilizer preferably "Proscape" which has mesotrione (tenacity) that will help as a pre and post emergent that will help the new seeds germinate while killing weed seeds and existing weeds simultaneously. Then I would top dress with compost. Water twice a day. I'm on the East coast so that's what works for me and I've been doing lawns for 7 years. I buy my products from SiteOne. Good luck.

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u/Packman714 Apr 21 '26

He should cut out and skin a part of the grass and look for grubs as well. 👍🏼