I have recently built my daughters playground but im just unsure on what to do about the dirt as we had to excavate to level the ground for the playground.
Which is an easier and affordable way to go about repairing the grass?
Hi @Conor1,
Were you aware of what grass type you have?
If not, could you take some photos of it up close, as well as one where you've removed a clump and placed it against a neutral backdrop. I should be able to help identify it. You might also like to have a look at Common Lawn Types And How to Identify Them for a bit of guidance.
There are three main options you can go with to repair the grass: lay new turf, overseed the area, or let the existing grass spread naturally.
Laying turf is the quickest way to get a full, green lawn again. It gives you an instant result and helps stabilise the soil straight away, which is great if the area is getting a lot of use. The downside is that it is the most expensive option and will need consistent watering while it establishes. You would also likely need to excavate further soil to accommodate the thickness of the turf rolls. Check out How To Lay Turf for some guidance.
Overseeding is a more affordable option and works well if you are happy to wait a bit longer for results. By spreading grass seed over the area and keeping it well watered, you can gradually fill in the bare patches. It is less upfront cost than turf, but it does take time and a bit of care to get even coverage. Check out How To Grow Grass From Lawn Seed for guidance.
The third option is to let your existing grass spread into the area on its own. This is the cheapest approach and requires the least effort, but it is also the slowest and may not give you the most even finish, especially in high traffic spots. You can also take clumps of grass from other areas in your lawn and plant them within the bare area. Once these clumps establish, they will begin to spread from inside the area, while the grass on the perimeter spreads inwards, which will speed up the process.
Whichever option you go with, you should start by aerating the soil to break it up and allow for drainage and airflow to the root zone. This will help your new grass to establish and take root quicker than with compacted soil. You might also consider mixing some top dress, such as this Scotts Lawn Builder Organic Lawn Soil Topdress & Underlay in with the existing soil to give it some nutrients and improve the soil structure.
Since we are heading into Autumn, this is actually a pretty good time to tackle it. The cooler temperatures and more consistent moisture help both turf and seed establish without the stress of summer heat. Just keep in mind that growth will slow as it gets closer to winter, so the earlier you get started, the better the results will be.
Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Jacob
