What to Do I Do when My Grass Turns Brown?

Grass can turn brown for numerous reasons including watering issues, disease and improper fertilizer application. Understanding the cause of brown spots on your lawn is the first step for improving quality. Early identification and control of these conditions can help you reverse the damage.

Grass Turning Brown because of Improper Watering

Irrigation is one of the most important factors that determine the difference between a lush green lawn, and one full of brown spots. Brown spots from improper irrigation are the result of too much water, or not enough water in a certain area. Insufficient amounts of water causes a brown discoloration on the grass blade tips and eventual tip dieback. Possible causes include faulty irrigation systems, seasonal dryness and sandy soil. However, too much water can also cause brown spots on lawns. High-pressured sprinkler systems, excess rain and lawns on the bottom of a hill can contribute to excess water buildup. If soil is "swampy" or too soft, reduce irrigation to the brown area. Increase irrigation to lawn areas that do not receive enough water to reduce brown spots from too little irrigation.

Grass Turning Brown because of Disease

Lawn grass is susceptible to numerous fungal diseases that can contribute to brown patches. Fungal diseases are tricky to control because they either spread from one area to another by wind or rain, or survive in soil. Soil-based fungal diseases are especially hard to treat because killing the fungus requires heating up the soil to kill the disease. However, fungicides are an effective method of control for above ground diseases. Soils tests done by university-based and private labs can determine if your lawn soil has any serious diseases present. Choose disease resistant lawn grass varieties to prevent brown spots from disease.

Grass Turning Brown because of Improper Fertilization

Lawn fertilizer typically contains three primary nutrients known as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as a variety of secondary nutrients. Lawns respond with a lush green appearance when properly fertilized with a balanced nutrient fertilizer ratio. However, fertilizer with too much nitrogen can cause brown spots on lawns. The reason for this is that nitrogen makes it hard for grass roots to suck up water, which causes the same symptoms as too little irrigation. The best way to avoid improper fertilization is to have a soil test to determine the nutrient levels available in your soil. Not all soil requires extensive fertilizer for proper growth, but that largely depends on the available nutrients.

Sources:

http://www.unce.unr.edu/news/article.asp?ID=1031

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/pp950w.htm