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Buffalo grass does not turn green as early in the spring as some other grasses. If you have a heavily shaded yard, buffalo grass may not receive enough sunlight to thrive. It’s not as dense as some other grass varieties, so it may not feel as comfortable on bare feet.

Whether or not grass will fill in bare spots itself depends on the type of grass you have. For example, grass with rhizomes (e.g., Bermuda grass) and stolons (e.g., Saint Augustine grass) will naturally fill in bald spots as it spreads laterally. However, clump-forming grasses will not spread. 

There are several possible reasons why your Bermuda grass is not thick, with the biggest reasons being too little water, too much shade, compacted soil, drainage issues, and too few nutrients in the soil. Bermuda grass needs frequent and direct sunlight to stay thick, so thinning grass is likely the result of a lack of sun. 

First, make sure you’re watering your grass early in the morning (and keep in mind you don’t have to water every day). Doing this helps ensure the water is able to soak in before the hot temps evaporate all of the water. Also, when you mow, don’t mow your grass as short as you would in non-drought conditions. Taller grass can help slow down the rate at which soil dries out. Finally, take your leftover lawn clippings and spread them out across the lawn to give it a little extra shade and nutrients.