Bare patch seeding in Exeter
Professional bare patch seeding services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
Up to 1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Bare patches in your lawn raked over, seeded, and covered so the grass grows back evenly. Quick job that makes a surprising difference to how your garden looks.
Get Rid of Those Scruffy Bald Patches
Nothing ruins the look of a decent lawn like bare muddy patches where the grass has given up. Dog runs, heavy foot traffic, waterlogged spots - they all leave you with patchy turf that looks terrible.
💡 Pro tip: Reseeding works best when you tackle the cause too - fix the drainage, lay stepping stones through high-traffic areas, or accept that grass won't grow under that shady tree.
Why Professional Seeding Works Better
It's not just scattering seed and hoping. Preparation makes the difference between grass that actually grows and seed that feeds the birds.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Soil raked and loosened first | Seed thrown on compacted soil |
| Right seed type for your lawn | Whatever's cheapest at the garden centre |
| Even coverage at proper depth | Too much in lumps, too little elsewhere |
| Protected from birds and weather | Pigeons have a field day |
What You Get
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Prep | Rake the bare areas to loosen soil, remove debris |
| Seed | Sow the right seed mix evenly across patches |
| Cover | Light compost layer to protect and help germination |
| Protect | Bird netting if your patch is pigeon central |
📦 You're Left With
- Clean job, no mess
- Clear watering instructions
- Grass seed packet info for future reference
Pricing Guide
| Number of Patches | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 small patches | 30-45 mins | £60 |
| 4-6 patches or larger area | 45-60 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Add cost of grass seed if I'm supplying it.
Perfect For...
✅ Dog-worn paths - where Fido's daily route has killed the grass
✅ High traffic areas - worn patches around swings, washing lines, gates
✅ Wet spots - where water sits and turf has rotted
✅ Shady patches - using shade-tolerant seed where regular grass struggles
Why Choose Us for Bare patch seeding in Exeter?
Soil properly prepared and loosened
Right seed mix for your lawn type
Bird protection netting if needed
Advice on watering and aftercare
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess & Prep
I'll look at why the grass died (might save you reseeding again next year), then rake over the bare patches to create a decent seedbed.
Step 2: Seed & Cover
Even spread of the right grass seed, then a light covering of compost or soil to protect it and help it along.
Step 3: Protect & Advise
If birds are an issue, I'll peg some netting over it. Then I'll run through the watering schedule - basically keep it damp for the first few weeks.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to do it yourself? Here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Garden rake
- Grass seed (right type for your situation)
- Fine compost or topsoil
- Watering can or hose with fine rose
- Bird netting (optional but often helpful)
- Bamboo canes and string to hold netting up
📐 Getting it right
- Rake the bare patch vigorously - you want to break up the surface
- Remove stones, dead grass, debris
- If the soil's really compacted, spike it with a fork first
- Scatter seed evenly - about a handful per square metre
- Rake very lightly to barely cover the seed
- Sprinkle fine compost over the top - 5mm layer
- Water gently but thoroughly
💧 Aftercare
- Keep the area damp for 3-4 weeks
- That means watering daily if it doesn't rain
- First mow when grass reaches about 5cm
- Set mower high - don't scalp the new growth
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Using the wrong seed type (shade mix in full sun, etc.)
- Too much seed - it just competes with itself and grows thin
- Letting it dry out in the first 2 weeks - game over
- Walking on it too soon
💡 Pro trick: Mix the seed with silver sand before scattering - helps you see where you've already covered and gives more even distribution.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌱 Timing matters: Spring (March-May) or autumn (September-October) give best results. Summer seeding needs constant watering. Winter's pointless.
Multiple patches? Get them all done at once - grass seed keeps if stored dry, and you'll want consistency across the lawn.
Bad drainage? Seeding won't fix it permanently. Consider addressing the drainage issue first, or accept that patch might always struggle.
Under trees? Regular grass won't grow in heavy shade. We'll need shade-tolerant seed mix, and even then it's an uphill battle. Sometimes bark chippings or shade plants are a better solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have bare patches in my lawn?
Could be from heavy foot traffic, dog wear, waterlogging, shade, or just old turf dying back. Once we're there I can usually tell you what's caused it and whether you need to fix the underlying issue before reseeding.
Will the new grass match my existing lawn?
I'll try to match the seed type to what's already there - fine ornamental, hard-wearing family lawn, or shade-tolerant mix. Perfect match isn't always possible, but it'll blend in once it's all been mown a few times.
How long before I can walk on it?
Keep off for about 3-4 weeks until the new grass is properly established. I know that's a pain if it's in the middle of the lawn, but it's worth it. You'll see green shoots in about 10-14 days.
Do I need to provide the grass seed?
Either way works. If you've already bought seed, great. If not, I can pick up the right type from the merchant - just add the cost of the seed to the price.
What's the best time of year for reseeding?
Spring or early autumn are ideal - soil's warm enough to germinate but there's usually enough rain. Can be done in summer but you'll need to water it religiously. Winter's a waste of time.
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