Common Reasons for Grass Brown Spots & How To Fix Them

Picture from TurfMagazine.com

A well-kept lawn can help you make a great first impression. It is a great feeling to see your green lawn cleanly trimmed and to hear the approving murmurs of your company. However, what happens when your lawn isn’t so cleanly trimmed, your lawn is mottled with brown spots and bald patches, and the neighbor’s dog has left their “housewarming gifts” all over your lawn? There are a variety of problems that can occur with your lawn and make your lawn a source of stress and headache. If you’re having issues with brown spots in your lawn, here are some solutions to the most reasons for brown patches that homeowners face when trying to maintain their yard.

Animals Business

If the neighbor’s pets are annoying you and destroying your yard, it is obviously time for you to address it. Sometimes, a simple conversation with your neighbor can fix this problem. However, when a polite and neighborly conversation is not feasible for you, there are other options for resolving problems with the dog next door. While the laws differ according to region, there are generally laws that dictate that pet owners clean up after their animals. If the issue is becoming out of hand, you can contact your local animal control professionals so they can either advise you of what to do or warn the pet’s owner to keep their animal in check. There are also a variety of fencing options available today, each with their benefits and drawbacks, that would help you keep unwanted animals out of your yard. For instance, wooden fencing, despite being relatively inexpensive and easily customizable (through staining and greenery options), requires a large amount of maintenance to prevent rot and warping from occurring. Steel is another fencing option that, while sturdy and relatively inexpensive, is not as decorative or attractive as other fencing options. Vinyl fencing, while generally expensive upfront, is a great option for homeowners that are looking for sturdy and attractive fencing that requires little maintenance.

Root or Grass Obstruction

Another reason for brown spots is that the grass or roots in that area of your lawn may be blocked from sunlight or water. In this case, removal of the obstruction and some tender care would be all that is required to bring green into that area of your lawn again.

pH Imbalance

Your lawn may develop brown spots due to an imbalance in your lawn’s pH level. To determine if this is the issue, you can test it yourself or send it to your county office for testing. To test it yourself, take some soil samples from various parts of your yard (including healthy and affected locations), and mix the samples together. Test the resulting soil mixture to get result on your lawn’s pH level. In general, your lawn’s pH level should be around 6.5 to 7, though that will vary depending on your region and climate. If you want to increase the acidity of your soil (lower the pH value), add sulfur to your lawn. To decrease the acidity of your lawn (increase the pH value), you can use lime. When using lime, it is best to aerate your lawn so the lime can be worked into the soil, rather than letting the lime sit on top of your lawn.

Bad Watering Habits

Ironically, bad watering habits can also contribute to brown spots in your lawn. As the seasons change, your lawn watering techniques should change as well. Normally, no lawn requires daily watering, and three times a week is likely the maximum amount of times you should water your lawn. Watering when the midday heat is beaming down on your lawn will kill your grass. Watering your lawn in the cooler times of the day, like early morning or evening, will prevent you from killing your lawn.
Fungal Disease
A fungal disease may also cause brown spots or ringlets in your lawn.The possibility of fungi being widespread in your lawn is rare due to the various types of grass in a residential lawn (as opposed to a golf course, for example), however, is is not unheard of for fungal disease to appear in residential lawns and it’s best to know how to deal with it in case it does happen to your lawn. The simple way to fix this issue is to use a fungicide to destroy the fungi. Developing good mowing habits and watering habits are excellent preventative measures against fungal disease in your lawn.

Caring For Your Lawn

Taking care of your lawn can be hard work, however, there are plenty of benefits of having a green, well-maintained lawn. From a good impression to a boost in home appeal, a beautiful lawn yields many benefits to any homeowner willing to maintain their lawn. If you would prefer to use our lawn care services, feel free to contact us today and learn how we can make your lawn look great!