Bare spots in a Round Rock lawn can usually be fixed with sod patches, not a whole new yard. Spellings Lawn patches bare spots with new sod, and lays full new lawns when a yard is too far gone. Either way, you get a free estimate first.
A patch only lasts if two things go right: the reason the spot went bare is dealt with, and the new sod gets enough water while it roots. This guide walks through both.
Should I patch the bare spots or replace the whole lawn?
Patch the bare spots when most of the lawn is healthy and the dead areas are separate patches. Lay a full new lawn when the bare and thin areas outnumber the good grass, or when the patches keep running together.
The new sod should be the same grass as the rest of the lawn, so the patch blends in as it grows. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension notes that St. Augustinegrass is not sold as seed at all. It goes in as sod, sprigs or plugs, which is one reason sod is the usual fix for a bare spot in a St. Augustine lawn.
Why did the spot go bare in the first place?
A bare spot is a symptom, so look for the cause before new sod goes down. If the cause is still there, the new sod will die the same way.
Shade is the most common cause under Round Rock’s live oaks. AgriLife says St. Augustinegrass is the most shade-tolerant warm-season grass, yet still needs 4 to 6 hours of light a day to survive. Bermudagrass does not tolerate shade well at all. Under a dense canopy, AgriLife suggests mulch or shade-tolerant plantings instead of grass, and a mulched bed is often the better fix for that spot.
Disease and insects cause bare spots too. AgriLife describes take-all root rot as brown, irregular patches 1 to 20 feet across in St. Augustinegrass, more likely in alkaline soil. It describes chinch bug damage as yellow to dead patches in hot, dry weather that is easy to mistake for drought. If you suspect either, have it identified first. The AgriLife St. Augustinegrass guide has photos of both.
How does new sod go down?
New sod goes down fresh, tight and pressed into the soil. AgriLife’s sod guide says sod is perishable and does best laid within 36 hours of harvest.
The steps in that guide are simple:
- Lightly rake the bare area just before the sod goes down.
- Lay the pieces in a staggered brickwork pattern.
- Push the pieces tight against each other and against the old grass, because sod shrinks if it dries out before it roots.
- Roll it to press out air pockets so the roots touch soil.
- Water right away.
How much water does new sod need?
New sod needs more water than an established lawn until it roots. AgriLife’s guide says to water right after planting until the soil is wet to a depth of 4 inches. After that, water every 2 to 3 days, just enough to keep the soil moist, not wet, 3 to 4 inches down. In weather above 80 degrees F, new sod may need water every day until it roots.
Round Rock limits sprinkler days, so plan for that before the sod arrives.
| Round Rock rule | What it means for new sod |
|---|---|
| Sprinklers two days per week, by house number | May not be enough for new sod in warm weather |
| Sprinklers before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. only | Water early in the morning on your days |
| New Landscape Variance | Apply to the city if new sod needs more frequent watering |
| Hand-watering any time, any day | A hose on the new patches is always allowed |
These rules come from the city’s Watering Your Lawn page, and they apply to many nearby MUDs as well as city customers. Drip lines and soaker hoses are not exempt. For a small patch, hand-watering with a hose is usually the easy answer. For a larger area, call Round Rock water conservation at 512-671-2872 about the variance.
Once the sod has rooted, switch to deep, less frequent watering and start mowing it with the rest of the lawn.
When is the best time to lay sod in Round Rock?
Late spring and early summer are best, when warm-season grass is growing fast. AgriLife notes that St. Augustinegrass sod can go in year-round in much of Texas, but sod laid in late fall or winter may not root well until spring. A fall patch can work. It just needs watering through the cool months while it waits.
Can you patch just a few bare spots?
Yes. We do small sod patches as well as full new lawns. We look at the spots first and give you a free estimate.
Will the new sod match my lawn?
The patch should be the same grass as the rest of your lawn. We look at what you have at the estimate.
How often should I water new sod in Round Rock?
AgriLife says every 2 to 3 days, keeping the soil moist 3 to 4 inches down, and daily in weather above 80 degrees F. Hand-watering is allowed any day in Round Rock, and the city offers a New Landscape Variance for new plantings.
Can grass grow in deep shade?
Not well. St. Augustinegrass needs 4 to 6 hours of light a day. Under a dense tree, mulch or a planted bed is often the better answer.
What areas do you serve?
Round Rock and Hutto are home base. We also work in Taylor, Georgetown and Austin.
Get the bare spots fixed
If your lawn in Round Rock or Hutto has bare spots, Spellings Lawn can patch them or lay a whole new lawn. Levi Spellings owns and runs the business, and the crew shows up on time and cleans up after. See our lawn care services, or request a free estimate and call (512) 921-4877.