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How to repair the edge of a lawn

How to repair the edge of a lawn

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Thursday, 28 February 2019 at 11:39 am

Discover how to repair the edge of a lawn in four easy steps.

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Warmer weather and frequent showers make spring and autumn a good time for sowing grass seed, laying turf and repairing lawn edges and bare patches.

If your lawn has become damaged, perhaps by overhanging plants or wear and tear, it's easy to fix. It involves cutting up a piece of turf and rotating it around, the sowing fresh seed - here's how.

To help keep your lawn in the best condition, our experts have tested a range of essential kit - from the best lawn mowers, to the best scarifiers and best aerators.

You Will Need

sharp spade
Lawn seed
Garden fork
Compost

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Damaged turf

Determine which damaged areas can be repaired, then plan how large a piece of turf needs to be lifted and turned around to fix the problem.

Step 2

Cutting a section of turf

Use a sharp spade to make vertical slits about 5-7cm deep, then cut under a large section of turf to create a new edge, cutting into healthy grass.

Step 3

Rotating the turf

Rotate the new piece of turf 180° to form the new edge. Tamp it down well so the roots make good contact with the soil and settle it into position.

Step 4

Sowing grass seed

Cut away the damaged turf and fork compost into the bare area. Firm and level it, sprinkle with grass seed, water and cover with clear polythene until the seeds grow.

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