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Step 1: Gather seed, fertilizer, and compost to bring dead patches back to life.
Patches of your lawn can turn brown for various reasons. They are most often caused by too much traffic, the roots compacting, too much fertilizer, not enough water or insects and animals that dig up the lawn.
 Any lawn can have brown or bare spots
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Step 2: Prepare a large patch of seed mix for multiple problem spots
If there are numerous areas on your lawn that need attention, mix a large batch of compost, seed and fertilizer in a bucket. This will save time. Be sure to follow step #3 to prepare the soil and step #5 after the mixture has been applied.
Mix a large batch for a troubled lawn.
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Step 3: Prepare the trouble spot
Use a stiff rake to roughen up the surface of the lawn. Use a hand cultivator to loosen the top few inches of soil.
Loosen the soil with a hand cultivator.
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Step 4: Apply fertilizer, seed and compost
Following the manufacturer's directions for new seeding, lightly sprinkle fertilizer on the area and work it into the soil with the cultivator. Sprinkle the new grass seed as you would sugar on pancakes. Cover the seed with compost, and step on the patch to set the seed.
Sprinkle the new seed as you would sugar on pancakes.
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Step 5: Add lime to reduce acidity.
If you think your dog may be part of the problem, you may need to add lime to neutralize acidity from urine. Use a PH test kit to determine the level on your lawn. Grass prefers a level of 6 to 7. If lower than 6, add a little lime.
Test PH level
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Step 6: Water the area
Water the patch thoroughly. Be sure to water daily with a sprinkler or a hose until the grass is 2" high. Water every other day until the new grass is well established.
Water daily then every other day.
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