How to repair the edge of a lawn

How to repair the edge of a lawn

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

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is at its best in January

Plant is at its best in February

Plant is at its best in March

Plant is at its best in April

Plant is at its best in May

Plant is at its best in June

Plant is at its best in July

Plant is at its best in August

Plant is at its best in September

Plant is at its best in October

Plant is at its best in November

Plant is at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

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.

If your lawn has become damaged, perhaps by overhanging plants or wear and tear, it's easy to fix.

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.

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You Will Need

  • sharp spade
  • Lawn seed
  • Garden fork
  • Compost

Total time:

Step 1

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.

Damaged turf
Damaged turf

Step 2

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.

Cutting a section of turf
Cutting a section of turf

Step 3

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.

Rotating the turf
Rotating the turf

Step 4

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.

Sowing grass seed
Sowing grass seed
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