How Do You Fix Your Grass Turning Brown? Causes of Brown Spots
Few things unnerve a lawn-loving homeowner more than noticing a green lawn take on a sad brown. “Why is my lawn going brown?” This is perhaps very tragic, like the end of the world, but at the same time…not really. The next question might arise: Why is your grass losing its beautiful green color? The answer is straightforward. Let’s check it out. And, what the heck, we will even let you know how to solve it.
Why Your Grass Might Be Turning Brown in Summer
Grass will brown and go dormant when stressed by drought, heat, or both. “It is your lawn’s way of conserving energy and water,” Mann explains. When temperatures and/or rainfall are ideal, the grass will break dormancy and grow again. Not all brown grass leaves will revive when dormancy ends, but new leaves will emerge.
What to Do When Your Grass Starts Turning Brown
If the grass on your lawn is turning brown, also known as dormancy, which is normal, try not to fret too much. “Just let nature take its course,” Mann advises. Often, the fine rain during winter provides enough sustenance to support the grass, but in case of extreme drought stretches lasting more than four weeks, “a quick quarter-inch soak,” Mann adds.
This amount of water prevents the grass from reaching its tipping point, after which recovery is impossible. If you are trying to assess if the grass is dead, Mann advises plucking a blade of grass and stripping its filament-like structure. The grass is still alive if there is green tissue in the core. “But if in doubt, consult with a professional, say lawn or landscape professionals,” he says.
What If Your Neighbors Say Something About Your Grass Turning Brown?
Speak to your peers about whether your homeowners’ association requires you to have a well-manicured lawn.
Mann explains. “People need to appreciate that during droughts, lawns are allowed to brown, and typically grass will revive once there is rain.
Causes of Brown Spot in Lawn & How to Fix them
Lack of water + brown grass = drought-stressed lawn
What steps should I take to replenish the state of my lawn after a drought? After 2-3 weeks without water, most lawns will enter a period of dormancy, during which the left with dry soil can survive for weeks by letting the top part of the grass dieback whilst saving water in their roots for further use. If your lawn is in drought-induced dormancy for over four weeks, it will start to require water to save it from suffering from long-term damage, which would result in needing renovation and reseeding. Aerate your lawn this fall. Aerated soil allows daffodil or tulip roots to penetrate more deeply, making them better adapted to utilize air and moisture located more deeply in the soil, strengthening the grass.
Cool temperatures + brown lawn = grass dormancy
When does grass become dormant? Some lawns might go dormant during the summer when the temperature drops steadily below 55°. If trees in your region lose their leaves, your grass will likely go dormant, too.
When does dormant grass return? Brown, dormant grass will turn green again in the spring. Consider fertilization in the fall to encourage your lawn to turn green faster.
Sporadic brown spots in the grass + pets = urine damage
Why does dog pee kill grass? Pets that tend to urinate in the same spot frequently will severely damage the grass due to the excess nitrogen and sodium levels.
How to treat brown patches in grass caused by dog pee: Once your pet has relieved itself, spray the area with water to lessen the nitrogen concentration.
Sporadic brown spots + digging = grubs
- sign of grubs: Check for brown patches in your grass around late summer and early autumn. These sections of grass can be yanked back easily to reveal grubs underneath. Birds and other animals usually dig for grubs.
- Best time to Treat Grubs: Do the grub treatment in summer to eliminate the next adult generation of grubs and their eggs.
Sporadic brown spots that are bare = need to be replaced
- Causes of bare spots in the lawn: These missing spots can result from unwatered and unnourished soil, incorrect mowing, such as lawn scalping, or soil compaction.
- How to repair bare spots in the lawn: Aerate, overseed, and top-dress your lawn compost this fall, and it will be thick and plush once again! If patches of your lawn are brown and bare, consider slit-seeding.
More Benefits of Letting Your Grass Turn Brown in Summer
Apart from conserving water, saving money and time, and allowing your lawn to go dormant during summer, there is yet another advantage to look forward to, as Mann notes. You can skip the mowing altogether. If you do decide to mow, you may end up with noticeable tire marks, but those will fade over time.
Brandy Hall Founder
While you can certainly save water with dormant grass, Brandy Hall, founder and managing director of Atlanta-based Shades of Green Permaculture, suggests that a more resilient lawn can also reduce the need for watering other than during dormancy. She advocates for the proper selection of oversowing clover seed with grasses. Increasing the organic matter content of your soil to help with water retention is another way of doing this.
Green Lawn Entails
“Beware of silver bullets,” Hall adds. “There’s no such thing as a plant that never needs to be watered or mowed like a perfect shrub. Different species have different sun and moisture requirements. Work with them like you’d work with your Hydrangeas. Look into your soil and species of the lawn, and consult with a permaculture or ecological design company.” “You can have your yard and eat it, too,” she laughs. “It is possible to have a well-maintained green lawn. You need to change your definition of what a green lawn entails.”
Is Your Lawn Ready for a New Best Friend?
There is certainly scope for a new best friend if your lawn looks brown and dry.
- Lawn Buddies is the best solution for a simple, dull lawn maintenance process and the core activities needed to ensure growth.
- Gone are the days when you had to think hard to figure out the best combination of services to revive your lawn.
- You don’t have time to spend on all of that. Give yourself a break for once.
- We are a complete solution to all your lawn care needs with our exclusive, one-premium, six-visit program that focuses on keeping your lawn healthy and green.
- From weed control to grub control and fertilizer, all conveniently packed into six visits, look no further. Our highly trained staff ensures that your grass is hardy and healthy throughout spring and summer while resisting pesky weeds.
Quick Tip:During droughts, lawns can turn brown, as this is a natural response to conserving water. Most grass types will recover when the rain returns, so don’t overwater or stress about the color change. Prioritize proper care when water is available.
FAQs:
How do I fix brown grass in the summer?
Water deeply 1-2 times a week, mow high, and avoid foot traffic to help the grass recover.
Can brown grass turn green again?
Yes, if the grass is dormant, it will turn green with proper watering and care.
Should I water brown grass in summer?
Yes, water early in the morning to revive or maintain the roots.
What grass turns brown in summer?
Cool-season grasses like fescue, rye, and bluegrass often turn brown in summer.
