Fix Bare Spots Bermuda Grass with Runners

Updates are already on the website. Fixing bare spots in your bermuda grass lawn using runners is a great way to get a quick thick lawn. We all have those bare spots in our bermudagrass lawn and using bermuda runners is a cheap easy way to fix them. We'll also show updates on the website.

[@TxHoneyBee]

I live in Texas and just bought my first home. I was removing weeds and thought these bermuda runners were weeds! 😅🤦🏾‍♀️ I was pulling them out and throwing them away! Now I know to keep them and fill any bald spots where the actual weeds were removed. Thank you for showing the runners and how to replant them. I started reel mowing, and I really like this bermuda grass + reel mowing. I'm glad I don't need to overseed this turf because seeds are crazy expensive. Thank you and happy Thanksgiving.

[@toddfoster975]

I am new to Arizona and to Bermuda grass. Last year I put down some sod of Bermuda and have these runners everywhere. I thought they were a weed or some type of crabgrass. This last winter the entire lawn looked like it died. It turned completely brown. I have learned that it only became dormant. It has now come back and looks incredible, looks like a brand new healthy lawn again. This video was very reassuring.

[@manaoharsam4211]

This man does great job in communicating the idea. Learned something useful today.

[@EdibleGrandpa]

Literally feel like this guy is my dad at this point with how much I watch his videos...

[@HowTowithDoc]

Go to your room...

[@EdibleGrandpa]

How To with Doc 😂

[@nialcc]

Thank you. That's what those "running weeds" are that are covering my curb. I've always through they were weeds. I'm glad I know what they are now. I can really use them to cover areas that have lost grass cover. Excellent.

[@024dogtop]

I just did a variation of this. What I did was use the fork to turn the soil but Instead of trying to put runners in grooves I then removed the soil, laid lots of runners out and put the soil back on top. Runners were very healthy and really long.

[@Deno4076]

I actually did this yesterday. Great tip. Going to continue to do this in all my bare spots.

[@bmlandmanagementco4981]

Glad I came across this video. There are plenty of runners when you live on five acres.

[@dcobb881]

I did this with my bare spots yesterday! Added in sand and organic matter. Can't wait to see the results! Waiting on my bags of PGF!

[@kevinnetherton2078]

Let us know how it turns out! :D

[@chesleyrenater6158]

WOW I thought runners was a bad thing ! thanks Doc :-)

[@nelson9106]

Thanks for this video! There's been small barespots on my lawn for 2 years, I can finally fill them in with runners

[@lisachapman8116]

We moved to AR in February and have awful drainage and there are huge spaces of hard dirt where it doesn't seem to be growing at all. When it rains or i water it, it becomes thick mud. I'm looking forward to listening to these videos!! Thank you!!

[@FlyFBAMpAyNe17]

Thx for the tip. I will try this tomorrow on some area that are barren. Really enjoy your vids! Keep up the good work! It’s helping me allot with learning how to care for my Bermuda lawn

[@cwang4ever]

"Runners Farm" I like that. I hope I can restore bare spot after trying the shovel method. Thanks Doc for the detail!

[@robertsneed3]

Wow, very good technique. I'll be using this idea this summer and for years to come. You are on it dog gone it. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidamarquez]

I just keep finding your videos at the wrong times: just edged my lawn today and need this method badly in a few areas! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@j06smith]

Awesome information. Will do this in my yard on tomorrow. Great videos

[@freddycarreramiller743]

I usually go to places where they dump used sod. I get the sod and shred it in pieces, loosen up the top soil in my yard, throw the shredded sod on top. Then I just roll it to make it flat and have better contact with soil, then add 1:1:1 fertilizer and water 3 times a day and in about 2 months I have a full yard covered with grass.

[@dennisatkins9837]

Are you Tim the tool mans neighbor?

[@eladjo]

Dennis Atkins 😂😂😂👌

[@theren8311]

Even looks like him

[@JollyGreenJ]

This guy shows his face so clearly not

[@eugenezshornack2709]

So simple. I thought those nodes were weeds. Just pull them out now then plant. Thanks!

[@nsidemedia]

Great info, I am have been wondering about this for a while. I have a few of these spots in my lawn, particularly around the gates from the backyard to the front. I also just dug a semi-large section out of the backyard for a sand pit for my son and use the dirt to help slop my yard better in certain areas and was wondering how to get grass to grow in those areas. Very excited to try this out. Thank you.

[@iheartdbsquared]

This is awesome!! Thank you! Is it OK to do the same thing with Zoysia?

[@SergioTrujillo11]

Man Doc, great grass and beautiful birds in the background. :)

[@crbeltranwd]

Doc. Thank you for your videos. I have a spot like this, but it is in a shaded area. Will the runners grow in a shaded area?

[@parikksit]

Thanks. Will try it out. Great tip. Please also can you make a video about using chemical fertilizers vs organic. What's your preferred way to go?

[@tomykins]

Doc, I have just put it in a heap of bermuda runners 3 days ago, but the leaves seem to have dried out, is this normal? My logic tells me if they have not rooted yet this is probably normal and they will come good once rooted. Let me know, cheers

[@vinhosnatrifronteira]

Hi! Can I use this method on winter times, or just on spring and summer times? Thanks for help! From a Brasil viewer 👍

[@eviemaddox3038]

I'm so excited to try this! Thank you so much!

[@slowjamcdub]

I like that type of grass. Wish we had it in KY!

[@jordane8787]

Hello Doc. So I have been seeding some bare spots and when the Bermuda grass started to grow it seemed to stop growing. As I looked closer there were stolons growing across the gap of the bare spot. Is it possible that the stolons are suffocating the grass? Because of the stolons it also makes the grass seem matted down in some areas of the lawn instead of being fluffy like the rest. thanks you for all your wonderful videos. they have definitely help my lawn look better than it used to.

[@HowTowithDoc]

It may be that the YOUNG grass is simply stressed due to shallow roots. That's pretty common. We put potting soil or good top soil on top of seed areas during the heat to retain moisture. Seems to help.

[@ianblair9752]

Well you learn something new everyday so thank you.. I could kick myself all over my garden.. I live in the Philippines and for years I have been cutting the stolen runners and throwing them when I could of been using them arrrggggggggg.. Guess what I am doing tomorrow ;-)

[@gilrodriguez1981]

I have lots of bare spots on my hybrid Bermuda and not very many runners. Can I just go buy some of the sod squares from the builder and plant them in the bare spots?

[@inthelawn3241]

could these same methods be applied to St Augustine grass stolons?

[@pbiceodan]

Question: Will Bermuda over take other grasses like tall fescue Or Blue grass? I have a mixture of different grasses and original lawn must have Bermuda that previous owners over seeded. I want to let the Bermuda over take if possible Thanks for video

[@darrellengel2971]

When are you going to venture out and do a video or two on zoysia?

[@IHazSniper2]

Home depot drove us all away from their expensive sod to find this video

[@oogyboogy_]

I have Bermuda SOD on top of clay with some bare spots. Would I need to get some top soil in the bare spot areas and plant the runners in that ?

[@jmiramontes7]

My question is? I have celebration Bermuda but a lot of common Bermuda in the surrounding areas! Should I kill it? Will the common Bermuda overtake the celebration Bermuda if I don’t take care of it right away?

[@billbraski2452]

Can you use this method on Dog urine burn spots? I was thinking of trying the screwdriver method.

[@iyeranaga]

I have a question how do you prevent Bermuda from growing into your flowerbeds. I mean we edge it every week but for some reason the grass seems to have runners from below the soil and entering into our flowerbeds and if left ignored more difficult to pull out in comparison to an average weed. Question 2 I believe I have a hybrid variety which we now low at 1-2 inches and some neighbors have a thicker grass again Bermuda that grows tall at 3 inches looks more of a vertical growth than horizontal in my case what’s the difference between the mowing heights with types of Bermuda grass. is it different low for hybrid whereas a little higher for common or other varieties

[@OldTimerGarden]

You can't stop it.

[@Bob_Adkins]

HA! I thought I was the only one who used a "runner farm". Works with bermuda, also centipede.

[@playmateinmiami]

Hello! What's up doc?! :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Today my family used the runners as per your instructions. We did both the shovel and screwdriver technique. Then did a Milorganite app. Just seconds after applied Milo, it started to rain like crazy. Any other suggestions? Or should we just wait 30 days or so? I will let you know how it turns out. Once it stops raining, I will take pics of before and after :) and let you know. Again, thanks for sharing all your knowledge. :)!!

[@HowTowithDoc]

Just let it be... keep watered... that's it. Maybe a little potting soil on top if the ground is bare.

[@playmateinmiami]

Thank you :) Will do and keep the Doc posted :) I will take pics of the progress as weeks go by.

[@playmateinmiami]

Hello Doc :) Sorry for bothering you again. I'm worried because I have pictures of some white little spider webs? (I think) a lot of them that I want to show you that came up this morning where we did the replanting of the runners? It is really really bad. Any ideas? It looks really bad.

[@playmateinmiami]

ok I have a link of the video. I don't know much about computers but here it is I think: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZnNha2tZqZkjck

[@ericthorsell7515]

I live in Southern California where the threat of frost is about non existent. Starting my front yard from seed, weeds and grass showing up at same time. Will the calendar work out here?

[@jord6829]

I have a new home and the Bermuda sod was laid this winter and is now full of weeds. I’ve notice some bare spots where the soil is black. I’m guessing that’s a fungus?

[@XFBO]

Recently purchased a new home which has a mixture of Bermuda, other grass types and weeds (esp crabgrass)....in some areas the Bermuda patches look great and thick. Rather than looking for and pulling up runners, would buying a plug cutter work well to spread the growth of the Bermuda that's here already??? And if so, how close together should the plugs be placed???

[@toddodell2904]

When I transplant runners I get a bucket of water and put the runners in it and I have a small can and when I transplant I get a little bit water and add to every runner.

[@judymabrey2728]

Wish I had found you sooner.

[@juanlove6139]

Hmmmm...now, it's Oct. in 2019. Would that method work right now in Atlanta, or do I need to wait until next year?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Next year..........

[@juanlove6139]

@@HowTowithDoc: Oh, shux!!

[@juanlove6139]

@@HowTowithDoc: Although, unseasonally, super hot, it still wouldn't work, right now?

[@victoresparza8408]

Howtowithdoc last year i put down some round up and killed patches of grass. I have a section in my yard that I dont want grass. Can I dig that grass up and fill the patches with it. Thanks in advance. Just recieved my super juice cant wait to use it.

[@HowTowithDoc]

Yes, you are basically making your own sod. Do it all the time to fix things like gas spills etc.

[@ruthhatcher6941]

Doc how deep do I plant stolons? Cover completely or leave part above ground, ty

[@dickieriggs7144]

Will this method work with centipede grass also?

[@ronbang]

If I have dead grass from weed killer...should I leave it or rake it all up it’s a bunch...before I transplant a bunch of runners?

[@derekswalls4273]

does preemergent affect the growth of these stolons when you use the shovel method or screwdriver method

[@chilidog73]

This was 3 yrs ago. Any videos since showing updates on how it worked?

[@claytonthompson7039]

What do I use for areas that hold water in my yard?

[@TheRealBigT1984]

We had sod (Tifway 419) laid during the winter dormancy by our builder at our new house. Tried to keep it watered, but hard in freezing winter temps, and as a result, had some winter burn along the edges leaving visible lines. Tried a variation of the shovel method this past weekend since we had solid red clay. I lightly roughed up the clay soil, then mixed a 50/50 ratio of black kow compost and fine sand to fill in the bare spots. I tried the screwdriver method in some spots, but despite watering, all of those are brown so far. With the shovel method, does it not matter that you are 100% covering the sprig, preventing photosynthesis? I am assuming since it is the part that is normally underground though, it shouldn't matter? I also hit my yard with about 1.25 pounds of Nitrogen per thousand using Lesco Professional 18-24-12 starter fertilizer. Some of the ones I buried completely appear to be popping up some now, but wanted to get your thoughts. Love the channel, and the SuperJuice I bought. Can't wait to try the PGF Complete!

[@Bob_Adkins]

Watch the phosphorus, 24 is way high. Bermuda doesn't like it. I have great luck with 22-4-4 or similar with low phosphorus and potash.

[@jalexanderevans]

Does this work with all types of grass? Does it work better than just grass seed and potting soil?

[@jasonlanggin5132]

How long does it take to fill in the spots completely ?

[@fredjr26]

Hey Doc what kind of potting soil? Can you recommend one at Lowe’s or homedepot

[@bardoperez3426]

Thanks a lot bro.....hope my lawn works well with Bermuda seeds and mixed with a few seeds of Bermuda patch?? Will see lol

[@JohnBlakeJr]

Summer or spring? Which is best to sprig the grass?

[@oildalejones567]

Extremely helpful. Thanks!

[@Allthingsconsidered11]

Omfg. I literally spent yesterday pulling all those stolons out my yard. I thought they were dead crabgrass. I couldn't figure out wtf they were after trying to Google search them through a description of how they appeared. It's February and everything is brown and I was trying to start on weed eradicating so I can start the season off right. And I'm worried I just destroyed my yard because I pulled all those up and now have some bare spots. Do you have any recommendations on if I should throw down bermuda seed in those spots? I know you said don't overseed Bermuda. And the bare spots are not like 30 sq feet spots or anything.

[@fredjr26]

Doc, everytime I try this method it just turns white and dies out. Any idea why this is happening?

[@chadfoulger]

Hey Doc, what height should I mow at when filling in patches like this? Am I good to still mow at .5” to 1” or do I need to go higher?

[@Marco-sp2li]

DAMN. I was over here thinking the grass I had was weeds, my grass has those fine arrow tips growing just a tad tall. I guess all of my grass is bermuda. I’ll be doing this to my bare patches.

[@treesnature9552]

Very good grass

[@homegrilladvantage]

@howtowithdoc How do you feel about liquid aeration along with seed and fertilizer for Bermuda? I watched the video on restoring my lawn so im killing weeds first, but I was wondering if that would be a good method for when its time for the PGF application. Thanks for all your amazing info!!

[@claydurbin4583]

What seed grows to look like celebration the most

[@JakeMohl]

All my runners that I transplant keep dying. Suggestions?

[@alexandrewoods3763]

Thanks doc just what I needed. Ordered my super juice 👍🏾

[@byronrobinson365]

I have lots of Poanna in my yard right now i did not use any pre- emergent, can i do anything about the Poanna NOW!

[@HowTowithDoc]

www.howtowithdoc.com/docs-product-links/best-weed-killers-bermuda-grass/ Roll down to the IMAGE. Needs to be taken up by the roots.

[@TheOriginalBillyYO]

Does the same work for buffalo ?

[@ruthhatcher6941]

Can you do this with dormant stilones

[@aa0517748]

I’ll be doing this month. 😃

[@XxBeachBum88xX]

Did it turn out well for you? I'm fixing to do this technique through the month starting tomorrow (I have a lot of dead spots).

[@rtbull11]

Thanks Doc.

[@NewYears1978]

I always see these vids about runners but my bermuda doesn't look like this...it doesn't seem to have runners like this at all. So in my bare spots is just bare and I never see any spread going on..

[@MrSpencerport]

Water.

[@fredlobmx]

Hope this works... but why do we get bare spots in the first place, thanks

[@ruthhatcher6941]

Can you do this wit dormant runners?

[@HowTowithDoc]

No

[@ruthhatcher6941]

@@HowTowithDoc ok tyvm

[@stray5454]

Awesome Doc! thank you

[@adammarcum6517]

Will this work with St. Augustine grass?

[@andreawilliams3016]

Can this also apply to zoysia?

[@AndyMcGinnis]

Hi Doc, First of all, I've really enjoyed your videos. Great info on bermudagrass care! My question is: If I've put down pre emergent (which you seem to swear by), Do I have to wait to try and spread runners as in your video? I understand that pre emergent won't harm the bermuda with an established root system, but won't that vapor barrier hinder the runners' roots from penetrating the soil? (I'm assuming plugging to spread bermuda would be fine, since a plug contains many roots). Thanks in advance for any reply! -Andy

[@HowTowithDoc]

It stops SEEDS from germinating basically... so no problems.

[@AndyMcGinnis]

Thanks Doc! keep the great vids coming! :)

[@NeilNatic]

@@HowTowithDoc i came back to this video just to get this answer. Thanks Andy and Doc! I appreciate it!

[@johnnychen5706]

I have a lot of bare spots after Bermuda grass died out and causing the spot exposed. How can I fix those? Do I need take away those existing and do the same in your video?

[@cmn4734]

Maybe a dumb question but why not just seed area?

[@bigdaddywoowoo101]

This is much faster than seeding.

[@JM-yx1lm]

Because you will never find the same variety of bermuda as what you already have... if you didnt start with seed to begin with.

[@larryburnett9226]

Good information

[@jimhoekenschnieder234]

Doc, wouldn’t it be easier to lay the runners on top of the ground and cover them with sand?

[@rl4255]

Can you do the same with St Augustine runners?

[@travisedwards9983]

yep yep

[@swarr5152]

Thank you

[@feersty]

Is this Alabama?

[@skyrider4492]

you look very good in in beard in your another video

[@donelldavis4035]

I always thought this kinda grass were weeds

[@OldTimerGarden]

You thought wrong. lol

[@ask4tech]

Bermuda actually is a weed.

[@leisuretime9177]

Same here i have been pulling them out hahahhaha

[@worldwide_wes]

New homeowner was doing the same thing here lol

[@leisuretime9177]

I thought these were weeds, so these are actually good?

[@WedFlix]

Would it be okay to just lay down sod? I'm removing a tree and I know overseeding is not good but what about laying down sod?

[@nn-bv8ki]

It was pure sand infront of my house when we first moved in. I tried seeding it but the sand dries so fast so even if you skip watering it for a day, weeks worth of work and money is gone. It would have been a lot of work to bring in topsoil to prep the area etc so I decided to go get some bermuda sod! Layed it down on about 1000sqf area without any prep work, right on top of sand in the middle of summer in Texas! I watered it almost everyday until the weather was below 80 ish. (Around November). It got dormant and got really thin in the winter due to having 3 big dogs running over it everyday all day long. Sand was visible on some spots right before spring. Then I applied Milorganite when the weather was at around 60s (march). I kept applying Milorganite in every 2 weeks and applied weed killer about 2 weeks ago. It is super green and just like a carpet at the moment! So yes, you can just lay down sod.

[@OldTimerGarden]

You may think you have red clay dirt but you haven't seen it till you see South Carolina red clay. Ours is the color of terracotta pots.

[@arlenblock5174]

Doc, I have a large area in my backyard that is reclamation. Ie: 10 years worth of leaves, dead limbs, etc left by the previous owner. Once I get it all cleared, I was planning on overseeding that area just to get grass growing. Can you advise on the optimum time of year to seed or sod Bermuda?

[@tjwillis47]

Will this work with zoysia

[@Miccheck1two]

These are not weeds? I have a ton in my front yard

[@notaverygoodguitarplayer]

In this video, you mention another video you did on your neighbor's water movement, but I cannot find it. Can you provide a link to that? Thanks!

[@HowTowithDoc]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWW8mYN9rNp3r5I

[@notaverygoodguitarplayer]

How To with Doc thank you

[@firstpicturelady]

I noticed weeds in my yard. I had the healthiest yard in the neighborhood. I purchased Scott’s Turf Weed and Feed (yellow bag), I mowed my yard, watered my yard, applied the weed and feed, watered again. The next day the entire yard was dead when the day hit 100. What do I do now? I’m the talk of the neighborhood. I ruined my yard. How do I bring it back?