But, here is the great part. 

These dead spots in lawn areas are totally fixable with the right approach. In this guide, we’ll break down the causes and share practical, easy-to-follow tips to restore your lawn’s appearance. 

Why Brown Spots Appear in your Lawn

Whenever you see brown spots in grass, several factors should be considered, including your location and the current season. 

Brown patch disease

Brown patch disease is commonly found in lawns. It attacks cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue. 

These patches or brown spots in grass start becoming yellow in hot, humid months and during rainfall. Now, if you have applied a high-nitrogen fertilizer to the lawn, you will notice brown spots in grass.

Insufficient watering

It is necessary to keep a balance between overwatering and underwatering. The soil underneath your grass must be evenly moist. If it is soggy or dry, it can lead to brown spots on lawn.

Pest issues

Various insects feed on the roots of your grass. These attacks prevent the grass from surviving. And, further, this leads to the appearance of brown spots in grass. 

Animal urine

Dog urine kills grass. The high amount of nitrogen in the urine leads to brown patches on lawn. The concentrated urine acts like a fertilizer burn, which leaves brown patches in grass.

Chemical burn

Always be careful while using chemicals on the lawn. If it’s a chemical pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer, it can burn grass and cause brown spots on the lawn.

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Fixes For Dead Spots in Lawn

Noticing unsightly brown spots in your lawn? Whether it’s dead spots in the lawn or brown patches in grass, your once-green yard doesn’t have to stay patchy. Here’s how you can fix brown spots on your lawn and bring back the lush look:

Watering the lawn

Over-watering your lawn increases the risk of developing brown spots on lawn.

How to water on schedule? 

• Water your lawn every 3-4 days and approximately ½ inch per session. 
• The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning. This lets the grass trap all the moisture. 

Avoid watering at night, since the grass does not have enough time to cool completely. This will also lead to inviting more pests and diseases. 

Mow at a specific setting

This is an underrated technique which contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach. 

Here is how mowing promotes healthier grass:

• Taller blades allow for better photosynthesis. With more surface area exposed to sunlight, the grass can produce more energy. 
• This helps in suppressing weed growth and minimizing brown spots in lawn. Regular maintenance also promotes biodiversity by providing habitat and food sources for the wildlife. 

Reduce the thick layer of thatch

A thick layer of thatch provides a home for the fungi. It also stops the soil from absorbing water and delivering it to the roots. 

Here is how dethatching allows the roots to grow:

• With the obstruction cleared while dethatching, roots can expand deeper and absorb the moisture effectively. 
• It creates a better place to let the new grass seeds grow. It promotes effective germination and gives the overseeded grass seeds direct access to the soil. 

Use the right fertilizer 

Don’t overfeed the problem!

When dealing with brown spots in grass, fertilizer can either help or make things worse.

You can consider the following factors to eliminate the brown spots on lawn:

• Applying too much nitrogen can actually strengthen lawn fungi. It allows them to outcompete your turf. 
• Stick to the recommended fertilizer blend, and avoid overapplication. 

An improved drainage 

Let your roots breathe!

Poor drainage is one of the top causes behind brown spots in lawn. Compacted soil blocks water and nutrients from reaching the roots, causing excess surface moisture that encourages fungal growth. 

You must consider the following for improved drainage: 

• Test for compaction by pushing a screwdriver into the ground. If it resists, your soil may need aeration. 
• For best results, aerate your lawn twice a year, in spring and fall. This will prevent dead spots in lawn and encourage healthy growth.

Apply fungicide at the first sign of trouble

Spot brown patches in your lawn early? Act fast with a lawn-safe fungicide. Early treatment helps stop the spread and promotes quicker healing. 

Here is what you can keep in mind while applying a lawn-safe fungicide:

• Choose a fungicide based on local availability and follow the label instructions closely.
• Many require bi-monthly applications for best results. 
• Treating early gives your grass the fighting chance it needs.

Read our blog: 7 steps for growing a lush green garden in Dubai’s desert climate

A Few Additional Tips to Implement in the Summer Heat 

The heat can make your lawn go from bright green to golden brown. But who said you can get your green garden back? 

Here are a few additional tips to keep your lawn green in the summer heat and eliminate brown spots in grass.

Change your products

The products you use in cold weather may not be ideal for hotter seasons. Products developed with advanced technology help your lawn survive drought conditions and retain water in summer heat. 

Installation of a watering timer 

This is an underrated tool for surviving the summer heat. You can connect the timer with garden sprinklers, automatic watering systems, and soaker hoses.  

Upgrade to a sprinkler system 

Installing a sprinkler system is an inexpensive lawn upgrade. It maintains your lawn and reduces brown spots on lawn. It sends an immediate alert to the local fire department within the first few minutes of a fire breaking out.

No More Patchy Areas in Your Grass 

Fixing brown spots in grass doesn’t have to be a mystery. With the right care, like proper fertilization, improved drainage, and timely fungicide use, you can tackle brown spots in your lawn and prevent future dead spots from forming.

With professional help for gardening services in Dubai, you can keep your grass healthy. From controlling the diseases to fixing brown spots in lawn, our landscape contractors in Abu Dhabi will take care of everything.

FAQs

Why is my grass dying in patches?

It could be due to a few things. Examples include leaves blocking out sunlight, trees sucking up nutrients, and insect damage. Sometimes, snow also causes damage to the grass. 

How to fix brown spots in grass?

Proper watering, aeration, and fungicide treatments (if needed) are standard solutions to fix brown spots in grass. 

When should I remove dead grass from my lawn?

If you notice brown areas in your lawn, these are clear signs that you need to remove dead grass. You must remove dead grass before planting a new lawn. 

How to fix brown patch in lawn? 

Reduce moisture and improve air circulation, as this stresses the plants and makes them more prone to disease. Avoid over-fertilizing and consider using disease-resistant grass species.

How to remove dead grass from lawn?

The dead grass is thatch. It is removed by scarifying the lawn. On a small, fine lawn, this can be achieved using a spring-tine lawn rake. However, for a larger area, you need a more powerful lawn scarifier.