Why Did My Lawn Turn Brown?  

Amidst the sweltering Pennsylvania summer, the sight of your once vibrant green lawn turning into a patchy blend of brown can be disheartening. If you’re questioning the reasons behind this drastic change and seeking ways to revive your lawn’s vibrancy, you’re not alone. Below, we delve into the potential causes of lawn browning and offer valuable solutions to restore your lawn’s health and beauty. 

Causes and Effective Solutions for Brown Spots in Your Lawn

Lack of water: The most probable cause for a shift in the lawn’s appearance is inadequate watering. 

Solution: Use sprinklers or a soaker hose for even water distribution. Water deeply and infrequently and ensure that your lawn gets 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. 

Thatch build-up and soil compaction: 

Excessive thatch build-up occurs when thatch accumulates faster than it decomposes due to over-fertilization or highly acidic pH balance soil balance. 

Soil compaction occurs when soil is pressed together due to heavy weight, reducing space between the pores. 

Solution: Aeration and dethatching are effective in curbing these problems as they allow for air circulation, giving your soil breathing space and the ability to retain water when needed. 

Pest infestation: Lawn pests like grubs, chinch bugs, moles and vole crickets can damage your grass by destroying the roots, sucking the grass juices, or creating holes in the lawn. 

Solution: Look for any signs of pests in your lawn and take preventative measures like using natural or chemical insecticides to control them. 

Drought stress: During periods of drought-like conditions, grass goes into survival mode and conserves its energy by becoming dormant, leading to browning and eventual dormancy. 

Solution: Using drought-resistant grass, reducing heavy traffic, as well as drought-tolerant fertilizers can help alleviate this situation. 

Nutrient deficiency: Essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are required to maintain the lush greenery of your lawn. If the soil lacks these nutrients, it can lead to brown patches in the grass.

Solution: Do a soil test to check for any nutrient deficiencies in the soil and apply fertilizers accordingly. Follow the recommended application amount and schedule for the specific grass type in your lawn.

Over watering: Over watering your lawn can lead to conditions like water logging, thatch build-up, and fungi growth. This discourages the roots from penetrating deep into the soil, thus creating brown spots. 

Solution: Monitor the amount of water you give your lawn and ensure it is not more than the recommended 1.5 inches per week. Allow your lawn to dry up if you feel that you have over-watered the lawn. Dethatching and aeration can further help alleviate any water-related damages. 

Cultivate a Lush and Vibrant Lawn with the Right Care and Attention

There can be different causes that lead to your lawn turning brown. Understanding the actual reason for this occurrence is essential to implementing effective solutions. Steps like aerating, dethatching, adding necessary nutrients, and pest control can help keep your lawn healthy. 

Get in touch with your lawn care professionals to see how we can help you maintain your lawn’s verdant beauty. Remember, a little attention and care can go a long way in keeping your lawn looking its best.

Check out our service programs or call GREENSKEEPER at 215-938-8440. You can also contact us using our online form for a free quote.