Lawn browning is a looming threat during the hot summer months. It doesn’t take long for your lush green grass to begin withering under the heat, and discoloration can start to creep in. Your lawn is an investment, and it needs to be protected to stay beautiful and healthy. There are a few key strategies for keeping your grass green and preventing the dreaded browning.
Why Does A Lawn Turn Brown?
When you notice dead-looking patches on your lawn, your first instinct may be to crank up the watering frequency and volume. However, there are more reasons than just dehydration that can cause your grass to turn dry and brown.
- Drought – during sweltering months, your grass may turn brown to conserve water and return to its former glory with more water or rainfall, and once temperatures decrease.
- Missed Spots – it’s possible that your sprinklers aren’t positioned to reach certain areas of your lawn, causing the grass to die.
- pH Levels – did you know that overwatering can generate yellow and brown patches? If your soil’s alkaline levels aren’t balanced, your grass becomes iron-deficient and will require sulfur or other additives to the soil to restore balance.
- Fertilizer Burn – too much fertilizer or fertilizer that hasn’t absorbed adequately into the soil can “burn” your grass to create dead spots.
- Weeds – weeds are notorious for stealing resources from your wanted plants. Large and growing weed systems can be choking your grass.
- Larvae – certain species of pests can lay and fest on your grass, causing patches of dead and decaying lawn. Look for larvae along the roots of your grass and regularly spray to kill pests.
- Pets – Does your dog do his business in the same spot each time? It could be depositing harmful salts that are killing your grass.
5 Tips to Prevent Lawn Browning
Careful detective work should help you identify any existing brown patches and their causes, but an offensive strategy can help prevent any browning in the first place. Try any combination of these tips to keep your lawn healthy and green:
- Water Right. Consult with a gardening expert in your region to determine the appropriate watering schedule for your climate. Set your schedule to deposit water in the early morning, late evening, or overnight to prevent evaporation under direct sunlight.
- Fertilize. You don’t want to wait until your lawn is in trouble to apply fertilizer. Use fertilizer in the spring, and again in the fall to supply the nutrients your grass needs to grow healthy and green.
- Aerate. Aerating your soil can help water, fertilizer, and air to fluff up your lawn and promote healthy growth.
- Herbicide. Spraying a weed-preventative herbicide early in the season will prevent weeds (and some types of fungi and pests) from encroaching on your grass as the year progresses.
- Observe. The most important thing you can do to prevent lawn browning is to observe your grass very carefully. Regularly check the roots for larvae and incoming weeds, and be sure that fertilizer is absorbing well.
A Healthy Happy Lawn
While you can’t always avoid dead patches in a desert climate, we hope these tips will help you prevent lawn browning and promote healthy growth. All Green Pest Control & Lawn Care can help you create a gorgeous yard that you love to enjoy. Call today to ask about our fertilization and weed care for the greenest grass you’ve ever seen.