Brown patches on the lawn are a typical problem homeowners face. They can be caused by overwatering, diseases, pests, drought, thatch, compacted soil, and pet urine. To treat it, you should water wisely, adjust mowing, aerate the soil, dethatch the lawn, control pests, and more.
Understanding the causes and treatments for these unsightly spots is essential to maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn. Read this guide and explore the common reasons behind brown patches on lawns with practical tips to treat and prevent them. Start now and be one step closer to a lush green lawn.
What Causes Brown Spots On The Lawn?
Drought stress, overwatering, lawn diseases, pests, thatch buildup, soil compaction, and pet urine are some of the common causes of brown spots on lawns. The list below explains how these can affect your lawn.
- Drought Stress: Insufficient water is one of the most common causes of brown patches. Lawns need consistent moisture to stay green; long dry periods can cause the grass to turn brown.
- Overwatering: Too much water can drown the roots, leading to brown spots. Overwatering creates a perfect environment for fungal growth, which damages the lawn.
- Lawn Diseases: Fungal infections like brown patch disease and dollar spot can cause brown areas. These turf diseases thrive in warm, humid conditions and can spread quickly if not treated.
- Pests: Insects such as grubs and chinch bugs feed on grass roots, leading to brown patches. These pests can be challenging to detect until significant damage has occurred.
- Thatch Buildup: Thatch is a layer of dead grass and roots that can accumulate between the soil and the green grass. Excessive thatch can prevent water and nutrients from reaching the soil, causing brown spots.
- Soil Compaction: Compacted soil restricts the flow of air, water, and nutrients to the grassroots, leading to brown patches. Heavy foot traffic or the use of heavy equipment can cause soil compaction.
- Pet Urine: Pets, particularly dogs, can cause brown spots where they urinate. The high nitrogen content in urine can burn the grass, leading to unsightly patches.
Identifying the source of the problem is the first step in learning how to get rid of brown patches on the lawn. After that, you can start thinking about treating and following DIY steps to a lush organic lawn. Continue reading to understand how to treat brown spots.
How To Treat Brown Patches On The Lawn?
Treat brown patches in your lawn by watering wisely, adjusting mowing practices, aerating the soil, dethatching your lawn, applying fungicide, controlling pests, treating pet spots, fertilizing appropriately, and improving soil health. Check out the detailed information below!
1. Water Wisely
Ensure your lawn receives about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage profound root growth. Avoid watering in the evening to reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
2. Adjust Mowing Practices
Mow your lawn at the recommended height for your grass type, usually around 2.5 to 3.5 inches. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time, and keep your mower blades sharp to prevent tearing.
3. Aerate The Soil
Yes, you need to aerate your lawn. Annually aerating the lawn alleviates soil compaction, commonly caused by foot traffic or heavy equipment. This process involves removing small plugs of soil to improve air, water, and nutrient penetration.
4. Dethatch Your Lawn
If thatch buildup is an issue, dethatch your lawn to remove the excess layer. For larger areas, use a dethatching rake or a power dethatcher. In case you have yet to hear about this practice, read about the pros and cons of dethatching your lawn here.
5. Control Pests
Use insecticides or natural predators to manage pests like grubs and chinchbugs. Learn more about grub control for lawns and identify the specific pest before treatment to ensure you choose the correct method.
6. Apply Fungicide
You simply cannot grow a healthy lawn when fungi are involved. If a fungal disease is the culprit, apply a fungicide appropriate for your grass type. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates and timing.
7. Treat Pet Spots
Train your pets to use designated areas for urination. Water the area immediately after your pet urinates to dilute the nitrogen concentration. Consider using pet-friendly lawn repair products to fix dead spots on the lawn.
8. Fertilize Appropriately
Apply a balanced fertilizer according to your lawn's needs. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excess nitrogen can contribute to thatch buildup and disease. Also, try to get informed about the right fertilizer for your type of grass.
9. Improve Soil Health
Maintaining a beautiful lawn starts with testing its health. Conduct a soil test to determine if your lawn needs additional nutrients or pH adjustments. Amend the soil as necessary to promote healthy grass growth.
Understanding the causes of brown patches on the lawn and scheduling regular maintenance with homeyou's landscaping experts can restore your lawn to its lush, green glory. Call them now!
