When we daydream about our ideal home, we instantly picture it surrounded by lush green grass. So, when we put time, effort, and money into lawn care and all we get in return is a yard full of brown grass, it can be disheartening, to say the least. If you’re wondering why your grass is turning brown, know that this problem doesn’t necessarily mean the lawn is dead or beyond saving. In fact, there are several common causes for lawns turning brown, many of which can be reversed with the right care.
Seasonal Dormancy
Grass, like many plants, can go dormant. This is especially common during extreme heat or cold. During the peak of summer, when the sun beats down relentlessly, your lawn may enter a dormant state as a survival mechanism. The same thing can happen in the winter months, particularly if you live in a region with freezing temperatures.
What you need to realize is that this browning is completely natural, as it allows the grass to conserve energy by pulling nutrients into the roots and letting the blades dry out temporarily. Once the weather becomes more favorable, your grass often returns to its bright green hue without much intervention.
Lack of Water
Imagine going days without a drink of water during a heatwave. You’d wilt, right? And so would your grass! One of the most obvious reasons for a lawn turning brown is a lack of water. Grass needs regular watering to stay hydrated and lush. If there hasn’t been enough rainfall and your irrigation system isn’t making up the difference, your grass may start to develop dry, brittle blades.
The solution? A consistent watering schedule. Try watering early in the morning so the grass has all day to absorb moisture and stay cool. And remember, it’s better to water deeply once or twice a week rather than to do light, daily sprinklings. This is because deep watering encourages the roots to grow down and strengthens the plant overall. If you need help figuring out how long to run your sprinkler system during each weekly session, perform the tuna can lawn test.
Overwatering
On the flip side, too much water can also turn your lawn brown. This happens because overwatering suffocates the roots. It can also encourage fungal growth, which quickly takes over a lawn and damages the grass.
To address the overwatering problem, check your sprinkler system settings and make sure you’re not overlapping coverage areas. Additionally, if water pools on your lawn after a rainstorm, you may have drainage issues that need to be corrected. Aeration can help with this by allowing water to penetrate more evenly into the soil.
Lawn Diseases
Sometimes, the reason your grass turns brown is because it has been infected. Lawn diseases like brown patch and dollar spot often appear as circular patches of brown or tan grass and can spread quickly if left untreated. For this reason, if you suspect your lawn is being attacked by a fungal disease, it’s important to act fast.
A few measures you can take include reducing watering temporarily, mowing less frequently, and avoiding fertilizing until the fungus is under control. A lawn care professional can apply a fungicide to halt the spread of the disease and restore the beautiful appearance of your lawn.
Insect Infestation
If your lawn is turning brown in patches despite being regularly watered and mowed, you might be dealing with an insect problem. Pests like grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms feed on grass roots and stems, causing damage that often mimics drought. If insects are to blame for your lawn’s change in color, you will want to invest in targeted pest control treatments to help restore the grass’s health.
Soil Compaction
Ever wonder why that one area in your yard near the mailbox or the walkway is always brown? High-traffic areas often suffer from soil compaction, which prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching the grass roots. Without proper access to these essentials, grass can’t thrive, and it will turn an unsightly brown.
Aerating your lawn can do wonders in rectifying this problem. By removing small plugs of soil, pressure is relieved and pathways are created for moisture and nutrients to flow. This simple solution often yields big results.
Pet Damage
If you have a dog, especially one with a favorite spot in the yard to go to the bathroom, they may be the culprit behind your brown lawn. Pet urine is rich in nitrogen, which, in small doses, can act as a fertilizer. But when concentrated in one area, it burns the grass, leaving behind brown patches.
To minimize the impact, try encouraging your pet to use different areas of the lawn and water the spot immediately after they go to help dilute the nitrogen. In cases of severe damage, reseeding or overseeding might be necessary.
Poor Mowing Practices
Sometimes, the problem is in how you mow. Mowing your lawn too short, especially during a hot spell, can stress the grass and expose the roots to sun damage. Dull mower blades also tear rather than cut the grass, leading to ragged edges that brown quickly.
Make it a habit to keep your mower blades sharp and avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at a time. If you’ve been scalping your lawn, let it grow a little longer and observe how much healthier it looks over time.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Just like us, lawns need a balanced diet. If your grass is turning brown and growth has stalled, it might be lacking essential nutrients, especially nitrogen. A soil test can help you determine what your lawn is missing.
Fertilizing based on your lawn’s specific needs can turn things around fast. To avoid the effects of overfertilizing, be sure to partner with a lawn care professional.
Thatch Buildup
Have you ever scraped the surface of your lawn and found a dense, spongy layer of dead grass and roots? That’s thatch. While a little thatch is normal, too much can block water and nutrients from reaching the soil, leading to brown grass.
If your lawn feels bouncy or sponge-like, dethatching might be in order. You can use a dethatching rake or machine to break up the layer, allowing your lawn to breathe and absorb what it needs to thrive.
Call Lawn Specialties for Help Getting Your Lawn to Bounce Back
Are you unhappy with the color of your grass? If you’ve been battling brown grass despite your best efforts, know that help is just around the corner. Our specialists can diagnose the root cause of the issue and restore your lawn to its vibrantly green color in no time. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out which lawn care solutions can benefit your grass.
