Lawn and garden repairs are either equipment or ground. Both are manageable if addressed at the right time.
01Dead patches in lawn
A dead patch is caused by one of four things: a grub infestation, fungal disease, dog urine, or drought stress combined with compaction. Pull the sod back at the edge of the patch — if grubs are present, you'll see them in the soil. Treat with appropriate grub control and reseed. Fungal patches have a characteristic shape, often circular or arc-shaped. Dog spots are typically small, yellow-brown with a green ring at the edge, and in consistent locations. Dead patches from compaction and drought respond to core aeration followed by overseeding.
02Retaining wall — leaning or bulging
A retaining wall that has started to lean forward has exceeded its drainage capacity behind the wall and is being pushed by hydrostatic pressure. Partial lean in a dry-stacked stone wall can sometimes be corrected by removing the wall and rebuilding with better drainage — a gravel backfill layer and a perforated drain pipe behind the wall. A significantly leaning wall is a rebuild. Don't add to the height of a leaning wall.
03Irrigation system — broken head
A sprinkler head that's spraying in the wrong direction or not popping up properly is a straightforward replacement. Turn off the zone, dig out the head, unscrew it from the riser, and thread on a matching replacement. Match the manufacturer and the nozzle type — a head spraying 15 feet should be replaced with one calibrated for the same radius.
04Fence board replacement
A fence board that has rotted at the base or been knocked loose is replaced by removing the fasteners, pulling the board, and cutting a new one to match. Use the same species if possible. Set the new board so the bottom sits at least 2 inches above grade — ground contact is what rots fence boards. Pre-drill and use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless fasteners.
Marcus Webb is a general contractor and home maintenance writer based in Columbus, Ohio. He writes about the repairs and installs that come up every year in every house — the practical, repeating work that keeps a home livable.