What is lawn browning?
When brown patches appear on your otherwise green lawn, it creates a severe problem during the hot summer months. Your lush green grass soon withers in the heat and discolouration may begin to spread.
Your lawn is a long-term investment and must be safeguarded to stay attractive and healthy.
As part of a basic lawn care regime, you can do a few simple things to keep your grass green and avoid the ugly brown spots.
Why Does A Lawn Turn Brown?
Your first impulse may be to increase your watering frequency and volume when you notice brown, dead-looking patches on your lawn. However, there are many more reasons than simply drought that can cause the grass to become dry and brittle.
Drought
Of course, drought or lack of water is the most common reason for brown patches. If your lawn is not getting at least an inch of water per week, it will start to turn brown from stress.
Overwatering
Believe it or not, too much water can cause the grass to turn brown. If your lawn is getting more than two inches of water per week, the roots will suffocate, and the grass will start to die.
Excess Thatch
Thatch is the layer of dead organic matter that accumulates on the soil’s surface. A healthy lawn should have a thatch layer no more than ½ inch thick. If it gets too thick, it will prevent water and nutrients from getting to the roots of the grass.
Compacted Soil
Another reason for brown patches is compacted soil. If the soil is too dense, the roots will not be able to get the air and water they need, and the grass will start to die.
Missed Spots
It may be 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 sulphur or other additives to the soil to restore balance.
Fertilizer Burn
Too much fertilizer or fertilizer that hasn’t been 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, causing brown spots and causing areas to turn brown.
Larvae
Certain pests can lay and fest on your grass, causing brown spots and decaying lawn patches. Look for larvae along the roots of your grass and regularly spray to kill pests.
Pets
Do you notice that your dog’s “business” is deposited in the same location every time?
He (or she) may be leaving behind toxic salts causing brown spots and harming your lawn.
5 lawn care tips to prevent your lawn from turning brown
Careful detective work should help you identify any existing brown grass and its causes, but an offensive strategy can help avoid any brown spots in the first place.
Try any combination of these tips to keep your lawn healthy and green:
Water Right
Talk to a gardening professional (such as My All Green) to find out the best watering schedule for your region.
Set your schedule for early morning, late evening, or overnight water deposits to avoid evaporation under direct sunlight.
Fertilize
Brown spots on your lawn can be unsightly and difficult to get rid of. However, by using fertilizer, you can give your lawn the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Fertilizer is a great way to add essential nutrients to your lawn, and it can also help to fill in any bald or thin spots. In addition, fertilizer can help to prevent browning and promote green growth. For best results, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Regular fertilization can keep your lawn healthy and looking its best.
Aerate
Brown spots. Nobody wants them on their lawn. But many people don’t realize that brown spots often signify lawn compaction. When the soil in your lawn is compacted, there’s less space for air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots. As a result, your grass is more susceptible to disease, insects, and drought. Aerating your lawn helps to alleviate these problems by creating small holes in the ground that allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grassroots. In addition, aerating helps to loosen up the soil, making it easier for new seedlings to take root.
So if you’re looking for a healthy, green lawn, be sure to add aeration to your list of lawn care activities.
Herbicide
Anyone who has spent time trying to get rid of weeds knows how difficult and frustrating it can be. Not only do they mar the appearance of your lawn, but they also compete with grass for space, water, and nutrients. Herbicides are an essential tool in the fight against weeds and can provide several benefits for your lawn. For example, they can help to prevent brown spots by killing off weed seeds before they have a chance to germinate.
They can also make it easier to achieve a neat, well-groomed look for your lawn. In short, herbicides are an essential part of any lawn care plan. Used correctly, they can help you achieve a healthy, weed-free lawn.
Observe your lawn
The most important thing you can do to prevent your lawn from turning brown is to observe your grass carefully. Regularly check the roots for larvae and incoming weeds, and be sure that fertilizer is absorbing well.
Want a lawn without brown spots or brown patches?
While you can’t always avoid dead patches in a desert climate, we hope these tips will help you prevent brown patches from forming on your lush green lawn and promote healthy growth.
All Green Pest Control & Lawn Care can help create a gorgeous yard you love to enjoy.
Call today to ask about our fertilization and weed care for the greenest grass you’ve ever seen.