• Courtesy of Tidewater USA


    Below are a few possible reasons why you may be seeing brown spots on your lawn, as well as a few remedies to keep your lawn looking bright and green.

    Human and Animal Damage

    Unfortunately it’s very easy for both humans and pets to cause damage to the lawn. Some common causes include:

      Remedy:  Making sure that your pet is well-hydrated can make their urine less toxic, and you can also train animals to do their business in a different area of the yard.
    • Dull mower blades. Dull blades tear your grass and cause damage as they pull the blades away from the root system.
      Remedy:  Sharpen your blades in the fall and spring, and check after mowing to make sure the mower is cutting the grass evenly.

    • Chemicals. Gasoline, fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides can cause dead spots if spilled.
      Remedy:  Pour chemicals, fuels and sprays on your driveway or on a patio stone, not your lawn, and always carefully follow the directions.

    Poor Growing Conditions

    In some cases, the conditions in your yard may be unfavorable for grass to grow. Some issues can include:

    • Poor soil. Soil quality can vary between different areas in your lawn, and patches of poor soil can cause brown patches.
    • Erosion. Water tends to run off in slopes, often taking grass seeds and young shoots with it.
      Remedy:  Aerate your lawn to increase water absorption. If you’re dealing with a steep slope, consider building terraces or planting groundcover.
    • Roots. Large trees or shrubs nearby can be a drain on resources for grass, causing the surrounding area to look patchy.
      Remedy:  Consider mulching or naturalizing areas under trees and shrubs.
      Remedy:  Make sure your lawn is watered evenly.
    • Dormancy. Cool-season lawns can go dormant during the summer, while warm-season lawns can go dormant during the winter.
      Remedy:  Learn the types of grass you have planted on your lawn. If it’s a mix of two different varieties, water accordingly

    Lawn Diseases and Pests

    If none of the suggestions above have worked, it might be time to move on to more serious measures against pests and disease.

    • Thatch. Thatch is a buildup of decaying grass which chokes out healthy grass.
      Remedy:  Remove the thatch by raking if it’s more than ½” thick.
    • Grubs. Grubs are common late-season problem, and can be identified when your sod pulls back from the ground like a carpet.
      Remedy:  Check for fat, white, curved worms beneath your sod and buy grub control products from your local garden center.
    • Fungal diseases. Fungal diseases can become common during the midsummer months, when the temperature is hot and humid.
      Remedy:  Aerate and make sure your grass gets as much sunlight as possible. If it persists, take a sample of the affected grass to your local garden center for help.