Brown patches on your lawn can be a frustrating issue, but we’re here to help. In this article, we explore various solutions for dealing with brown patches on your lawn to keep your outdoor space looking its best. While addressing this problem, you might also be interested in learning about other lawn care techniques.
Our guide on how long lawn grubs take to die provides valuable insights on managing a common lawn pest. And for more information on maintaining a healthy lawn, don’t miss our post on how to get your grass to grow again.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Brown patches on a lawn can be caused by a variety of factors, including lack of water, overwatering, poor soil quality, disease, and pests. |
| To prevent brown patches, water your lawn deeply but infrequently, avoid overfertilizing, and keep an eye out for signs of disease or pests. |
| If you have brown patches, it’s important to identify the underlying cause in order to properly treat the issue. |
| Treatment for brown patches will depend on the cause, but may involve overseeding, aerating, applying fungicides, and adjusting your watering and fertilization schedule. |
| Restoring your lawn after brown patches have developed may involve a combination of treatments and is best done with the help of a lawn care professional. |
Let’s explore these solutions and keep your lawn looking lush and green!
Fertilize Your Lawn
You may also want to fertilize your lawn to help it recover. This is a good idea if you live in an area where fertilizer is recommended, as the climate can make it difficult for grass to grow without some added nutrients.
Fertilizer will help fill in the brown patches and make your lawn look healthy again.
There are two ways you can fertilize: liquid or granular fertilizer. You’ll need to follow instructions on the packaging of either option carefully
But they’re both relatively easy processes that involve spreading the substance over your yard and letting it absorb into the soil below before watering it in with water from a hose or sprinkler system so that everything has time to settle properly before continuing with other activities such as playing on or walking through your yard.
Water At The Right Time
In addition to not over-watering, you’ll want to avoid watering your lawn at night or in the early morning. Watering at these times can cause fungus in your lawn, which will lead to brown patches.
Instead, make sure you water when it’s dry outside for about two hours after sunrise and about two hours before sunset. Once again, apply 1 inch of water when watering—but do so infrequently.
You’ll actually want to let your grass go between watering sessions without any moisture at all!
“If you’re struggling with lawn fungus, using a fungicide can be a quick and effective solution. Learn more about how to use fungicide for lawns and say goodbye to unsightly brown patches for good.”
Replace Or Repair Your Sprinkler System
If your sprinkler system is damaged, you might need to replace or repair it.
The system can be damaged by freezing, and then the sprinkler heads may break off and not water properly.
Your timer could also be set to run too long at one time, resulting in brown spots on your lawn. Or the controller might be broken and unable to turn off the water when it needs to.
Change Your Mowing Pattern
Mow more often in spring and fall. Depending on your grass type and climate, you may need to mow more frequently during these seasons (perhaps once a week) than you do during summer. This will help keep the blades of your lawn healthy.
Mow less often in summer. In warm weather, grass needs less water and fertilizer than it does in cooler temperatures; therefore, it’s best to cut back on your mowing schedule so that your lawn doesn’t get over-mowed while it’s still growing fast.
“Fertilizing your lawn can be an easy way to maintain its health and prevent brown patches. Our guide on how to fertilize your lawn yourself offers tips and tricks to keep your lawn lush and green.”
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn is perhaps the easiest of all steps to take. In fact, it’s really as simple as renting an aerator from your local hardware store and running it over your lawn.
The process itself takes only a few minutes to complete, though you may need to deduce where exactly you want to aerate based on how deep the soil needs to be turned over.
Once finished with this step, simply remove any chunks of dirt left behind by your aerator and replace them in their original locations after raking up any loose grass clippings or detritus on top of them (you don’t want those things getting stuck in your mower).
You should also leave this area alone for several days until you’re ready for another pass at it; doing so will allow time for rainwater or irrigation systems (if present) to work through any loose areas or clumps that remain exposed after initial aeration efforts have been made.
Finally: make sure not to overdo it! If only half an inch has been removed from beneath their surface level due diligence dictates that no further action should be taken until springtime when new growth begins again next year
Rake Up And Dispose Of Leaves
You should regularly rake up leaves and dispose of them in the trash or compost bin. Most importantly, do not leave them on your lawn because they can smother grass by preventing sunlight from reaching the ground (this can be especially detrimental for newly seeded areas).
The decaying matter can also lead to fungal diseases and clog sprinkler heads. Additionally, leaves attract pests like ants and mice that could make mowing difficult.
They may also change soil chemistry by adding acidity to it through decomposition.
“After using weed killer on your lawn, it’s important to wait before cutting the grass to ensure the best results. Check out our article on how long after weed killer can you cut grass to learn more about timing your lawn care.”
Avoid Walking On The Lawn When It’s Wet
One of the best ways to avoid brown spots in your lawn is to avoid walking on it when it’s wet. If you must walk on the lawn, use a broom to remove excess water before stepping onto the grass.
If you have to walk on the lawn and don’t want brown patches, try wearing shoes that are easy to clean and don’t hold water (like canvas sneakers).
Use A Fungicide, If Needed
There are several types of fungicides, and you’ll need to use the right one for your particular situation.
You should also consider how much time you want to spend on this project. If there are only a few patches that need attention, it’s likely not worth spending hours mixing chemicals in spray bottles.
If you don’t know which type of fungicide is right for your lawn fungus problem and how much time you’d like to spend on this project (if any), consult with a local landscaper or pest control company.
Consider Dethatching And Overseeding
If you notice that your lawn is thin, you may want to consider dethatching and overseeding. Dethatching removes the thatch layer from your lawn and overseeding adds new grass seed.
Dethatching and overseeding are best done in the fall when temperatures are cooler and there’s less chance of damage from mowing or other maintenance activities.
To get started, use a lawn rake to dethatch any areas where grass has grown tall enough so that visible roots are showing through at the surface of the soil (these can be seen as dark spots on an otherwise green patch).
You’ll want to remove as much of this dead matter as possible using a sharp blade on your rake before moving onto step 2: overseeding. In order for new seeds to germinate properly, they need good soil contact — so using a spreader will help ensure even distribution throughout your yard!
“Weeds and dead grass can quickly turn a beautiful lawn into an eyesore. Our article on what kills grass and weeds fast offers simple solutions to help you get rid of unwanted growth and restore your lawn to its former glory.”
Be Aware Of Heat Stress
Lawns are most susceptible to heat stress during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees F (32 C).
Heat stress can cause brown patches on your lawn, especially if you’re not keeping it well watered.
In addition to watering properly, avoid applying fertilizer when the ground is too hot. If you do choose to fertilize, keep the soil moist but not soggy; overwatering can lead to root diseases or fungal infections that cause further damage.
Look For Signs Of Disease Or Pests
If you suspect that your brown patch is actually the result of a disease or pest infestation, you should look for signs of their presence. Most commonly, these include:
- Small holes in the lawn
- A soft, spongy texture
- Yellowing and wilting blades of grass
Avoid Over-Fertilizing Or Excessive Water
This is a common problem, and the best way to deal with it is preventative.
If you have brown patches on your lawn, avoid over-fertilizing or excessive water. You should also use slow-release or granular fertilizer (a mix of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) in the fall while leaves are still on the trees.
This helps prevent excess nitrogen from getting into the soil when new grass grows during springtime.
“A dethatcher can be a useful tool in maintaining a healthy lawn and preventing brown patches. Learn more about when to use a dethatcher on your lawn in our comprehensive guide to lawn care.”
Conclusion
There are many ways to get rid of brown spots on your lawn. The best way is to avoid them in the first place, but if you have them now, then try these tips.
Further Reading
If you’re dealing with brown patches on your lawn, you may find these resources helpful for additional information and tips:
Scotts: What Causes Brown Spots in the Lawn? – This comprehensive guide from Scotts covers common causes of brown spots and offers solutions for restoring your lawn to its full health and beauty.
Gecko Green: How Do I Get Rid of Brown Patches on My Lawn? – Gecko Green offers a detailed guide to getting rid of brown patches on your lawn, with tips for prevention and treatment.
Scotts: How to Identify and Control Brown Patch – Another helpful guide from Scotts, this article provides information on how to identify and control brown patch disease in your lawn.
FAQs
What are common causes of brown patches on a lawn?
Brown patches on a lawn can be caused by a variety of factors, including lack of water, overwatering, poor soil quality, disease, pests, and more.
How can I prevent brown patches on my lawn?
To prevent brown patches on your lawn, be sure to water it deeply but infrequently, avoid overfertilizing, and keep an eye out for signs of disease or pests.
How do I know if brown patches on my lawn are caused by a disease?
If your brown patches are circular or irregularly shaped, and if the grass blades have a brown border with a tan or gray center, you may have a disease such as brown patch or dollar spot.
What can I do to treat brown patches on my lawn?
Treatment for brown patches on your lawn will depend on the underlying cause. Some common solutions include overseeding, aerating, applying fungicides, and adjusting your watering and fertilization schedule.
How can I restore my lawn after brown patches have developed?
Restoring your lawn after brown patches have developed may involve a combination of treatments, such as applying fertilizers and fungicides, overseeding, and improving soil quality. It’s best to consult with a lawn care professional for personalized recommendations.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.