2 answers
The first step is understanding what caused the holes. If they're small and scattered, it's often due to insects or soil compaction. If they're larger and deeper, there could be a drainage problem or decaying roots. In any case, fill the holes with a mix of soil and compost, pressing down well as you add the material. For more extensive depressions, it's worth doing a more serious job: level the area with a rake, add a layer of fresh soil 5-10 cm deep and compact everything.
After filling, seed the grass. If the damaged areas are small, you can use specific patch repair seeds (those premixed with fertilizer work well); for larger zones, consider laying sod directly. The important thing is keeping the soil moist for at least three weeks until the grass takes hold. If your lawn is already thick elsewhere, the new grass will take better if you do it in spring or fall, not in summer when the heat causes damage.
If the holes keep coming back in the same spot, the real problem is underneath: water pooling, moles, beetle larvae. Before filling in again, you should solve the cause, maybe with better drainage or checking for tunneling. Otherwise you fix it and in a month the holes will be right back there.
What people often overlook is that simply filling holes without fixing the drainage first is just a temporary fix. If the underlying soil is compacted or water is pooling, those cavities will reform after a few rainy days. So first you need to figure out whether the problem comes from poor drainage, heavy foot traffic, or rotting roots underneath. If you notice water sitting there after storms, that's where the real work is.
For shallow holes (just a few centimetres deep) you can undercut the edges with a spade, break up the compacted soil with a fork, add a mix of good-quality topsoil blended with sand to improve drainage, and level it well before compacting lightly. If the depressions are more extensive though, maybe it's better to topdress the whole lawn: spread a 2-3 centimetre layer of good mix (topsoil + sand + peat if the soil is very clay-heavy) and level it properly. This also helps get rid of small irregularities without having to do major digging.
One important thing: don't fill right after rain. Wet soil compacts even more and the result is terrible. Wait until it's moist but drains well. And if the holes are from heavy traffic (like a spot where you're always pushing the wheelbarrow through), consider making a pathway or changing your route, otherwise you'll be starting all over again every spring.
Your answer
Log into answer.