Brown Lawn Care: Causes of Dying Grass and How to Treat (2024)

Wondering what causes grass dying and how to revive a dead lawn? There are a number of possible causes and no easy answers. The first step to brown lawn care is figuring out why this is happening.

Causes of dying grass

Can a brown lawn still be saved? Depending on your specific circ*mstances, generally yes. That said, you should try to figure out what's causing the tan in the first place.Drought: This is a major problem in much of the country today, and drought is one of the leading causes of dying grass. Many people choose not to water their lawns in the summer, but this can be a mistake if there is not enough rain to keep the roots alive. Grasses naturally go dormant after two to three weeks without water, and most lawns can withstand drought for four to six weeks, although they will turn brown. But extended periods of hot, dry weather can kill the lawn. How to revive a dead lawn?Bad news: If the grass is completely dead due to drought, there is no way to bring it back. However, revival of brown lawns that are simply dormant usually occurs within three to four weeks of regular irrigation.Straw roofing: If your lawn turns brown in the summer, you may have a problem with thatch: a thick layer of decomposed plant material, roots and partially decomposed stems that collect under the roots. Thatch cover is not usually caused by clippings, which break down quickly and add healthy nutrients to your lawn. To determine if you have too much thatch, dig a patch of grass 2 inches deep. A healthy lawn has about ¾ to 1 inch of brown, spongy thatch between the green grass and the soil surface. If you have more than that, maybe you shouldtake steps to keep it under control.Improper mowing: If the lawn is mowed too short, this can stress the grass and cause it to become dry and brown. As a general rule of thumb, don't remove more than a third of the height with each cut. Although a length of 6 cm is fine, 8 cm is healthier in the summer heat. Mow regularly and do not let the grass grow too long.Improper watering: Water your lawn deeply about once a week, or whenever the grass looks a little wilted, giving about an inch of water each time. Avoid frequent, shallow watering, which results in weak roots that cannot withstand the summer heat. Do not water if the lawn does not need it.Insects: If your lawn is brown, pull up a small patch of grass. Pest-infested grass pulls up easily because the roots are damaged. Pests tend to invade too much waterfertilized lawnsor neglected lawns. Keep your lawn healthy, but don't spoil it.larvaeis the most common lawn pest.Salt damage: Salt damage may be the cause if the brown lawn borders a street, driveway or sidewalk. A good soak should help dilute the saltwater concentration, but it may be necessarysaw the lawn againif the damage is too serious.Pet spots: If your brown grass is limited to small areas, athe dog may go potty on your lawn. Water the grass thoroughly to nurse it back to health and teach your puppy to relieve himself in a better place.Sponge: Sporadicbrown spots in the lawncould be the result of a fungus,some of which can damage lawns. Now that you know some of the reasons for grass dying, you can better equip yourself to tackle the problem. Healthy lawns have fewer problems.