Hi @mikamikira,
Thank you for your question.
The first thing to note is that this time of year is not the time to be addressing lawn problems. Over winter, most common grasses will go dormant as they are not getting enough warmth to effectively spread and grow. Over winter, you should simply maintain and prepare for spring.
Once spring rolls around, you'll want to start by mowing your lawn quite low - this is called "scalping" - and remove the clippings. This helps reduce the thatch, which is the dry, wiry layer that builds up under the green grass. Removing thatch helps light reach the healthy runners that are beneath it. After that, rake the lawn hard with a thatching rake to clear out dead grass and loosen the soil in the bare spots. If the soil is compacted, you might need to aerate it using a garden fork or aerator. This will help air and water get to the roots.
Next, apply a topdressing mix lightly over the lawn. This helps level it and creates good contact between the grass runners and the soil. In the bare patches, you can either rely on the kikuyu runners to spread over time, or you can help it along by spreading new kikuyu seed. Lightly rake the seed in, water it, and cover with a very thin layer of topdressing mix to prevent it from drying out.
Water the area well, and then keep it moist for the next couple of weeks — water daily if it's warm and dry. Avoid mowing until the new growth is at least 5–7cm high and looks healthy. Once it’s growing again, feed it with a slow-release lawn fertiliser high in nitrogen to push out new green growth.
With these steps, you will be well on your way to repairing your lawn.
You might like to have a look through the Lawn section of our D.I.Y. advice page as there is a wealth of information that should help.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
