Even the most carefully maintained lawn has periods when the turf becomes bare and dies. Sometimes it's very clear why something happens, while other times it can be a complete mystery. Why do I have dry spots in my lawn? Many gardeners ask themselves this question.
A lush, green lawn is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also increases the value of your property and acts as an important green buffer that soaks up excess rainwater. A sick lawn is the exact opposite. The first step in eliminating dead, bare patches in your lawn is to find out the cause. The next step is to save the dry lawn. But can a dry lawn actually become green again? Read on to discover how to save your lawn grass!
Why is the lawn brown, strawy and dry in some places?
Here are some of the most common causes of lawn death that you should know about.
Lawn dries out despite watering – hydrophobia
Grass can also turn brown due to dry soils due to hot, dry weather, although it usually recovers well once rain begins. A dry patch prevents vegetation from recovering after a rain because water cannot reach the roots. A typical cause of dry patch is the coating of soil particles with water-repellent compounds by the development of fungi, although the exact mechanism by which this occurs is not well known.
Signs
The following signs and symptoms may occur:
- Discolored and finallybrown spots appearin otherwise lush lawns. It is possible for symptoms to manifest in dry weather, but rain or irrigation of the affected areas does not help.
- The soil under the damaged areas is absolutely moisture-free. Adding water simply causes it to evaporate or collect on the soil surface.
- Sometimes when there is a lot of rain, the ground can become so saturated that puddles form.
- The soil is moist but feels dry beneath the surface.
- Occasionally (but not always) white fungal mycelium may be visible or a mushroom-like odor may be emitted in the straw layer or soil.
Spotty lawn due to pests
Your lawn can handle a certain amount of grub infestation, but if the number is too high, you will see yellow spots. Pulling the dead spot away from the ground will help you determine whether you have grubs or not. When the grubs eat away at the grass roots, there is nothing left to hold the plant in place. This problem can be remedied by overseeding or reseeding the area, ideally after the grub infestation has been eliminated.
Lawn diseases cause round, brown spots
Lawn diseases can cause localized grass dieback. If you notice fine, white webs on your lawn and the grass slowly begins to die, a fungal disease may be the cause. Fungal diseases are common and often the result of volatile weather conditions.
Dry spots in the lawn – careless mowing
Dull mower blades not only cut the grass, but also tear it to shreds. Dead, shredded grass can result in brown or light spots. You can prevent this by sharpening your mower's blades twice a year, in the spring and fall.
If you cut the grass too short despite using sharp knives, brown spots will remain in the garden. Raise the cutting height of your lawn mower and make sure you do not cut more than a third of the way through the lawnmow at once.
Lawn grass dried out by fertilizers
Dry patches in the lawn can be caused by an excess of nitrogen.FertilizeOnly clean your lawn as often as directed and never in hot weather.
Poor quality soil leads to patchy lawns
Bare, brown spots can be the result of poor soil quality. If you have problems, ventilate the area and fill it with organic material.
Burns from animal urine
Dog urine, which is high in nitrogen, can cause dry patches in your lawn. The cores of these spots are brown, but the rings around them are black. The problem can be solved by replacing the damaged areas with new soil and sowing grass seeds. For the next two weeks, you should water the area daily to encourage development.
Inadequate irrigation system coverage
If sprinklers do not overlap or miss an area entirely, patches of grass can dry out and die. Take a few minutes to watch the sprinklers and make sure your lawn is getting evenly drenched.
Can you make dry lawn green again?
Yes, the lawn can recover! The good news is that most dry patches are easy to fix – you just need a few simple tools and products!
- Remove dried out lawn grass:Remove all debris, including dead, matted grass. Grass seeds need to come into contact with the soil to germinate and take root.
- Loosen the soil:Dig up the soil and loosen the top 2 to 3 inches, or at least scrape the surface. Add some compost or other organic matter to the soil if it is very deficient.
- Spread the grass seeds over the aerated soil:For optimal contact between seeds and soil, you should lightly tamp the area.
- Fertilize:Spread a thin layer of young grass lawn fertilizer to get the grass off to a good start. The ideal method for stimulating the lawn is to fertilize the entire area with an NPK fertilizer, water well and then water again so that the granules do not settle on the grass and “burn” it. Lawn care products should be applied according to the amount and schedule recommended on the label.
- Water and mulch:Straw or chopped leaves, just enough to cover the ground, should be sprinkled over the patched area. This reduces the evaporation rate of water, prevents seeds from washing away and promotes germination.
Scarify the lawn
The term “thatch” refers to the layer of decaying organic matter that forms between the blades of grass and the soil at the base of the lawn. 2-3 inches or more of thatch can suffocate your lawn by blocking air, water and nutrients and leaving your lawn vulnerable to pests and diseases. Scarifying the lawn should eliminate the problem. A scarifying rake can be used to remove tangles from the lawn. A scarifier removes matted grass residue, creating space for water, air and nutrients to penetrate the soil.
Note the following: However, the scarifier can damage the lawn if it is set too low. It is therefore advisable to only take this measure in exceptional cases.
You and your family can take some simple steps to reduce the number of brown, dead spots in your lawn. This includes:
- Prepare the soil before laying the turf.
- Choose a type of grass that tolerates drought well.
- Water your lawn grass correctly: The roots are strengthened if they are watered less frequently but more deeply. Water at the first sign of heat or drought, then wait until the lawn begins to wilt before doing so again.
- Lawns should be watered either before 10 a.m. to prevent brown spot from developing, or in the evening to allow it to dry sufficiently before dark. Leaving your lawn in water all night makes it more susceptible to pests and diseases the next morning.
- You can protect your lawn from the growth and spread of fungi by scarifying it.
- Be careful when fertilizing because too much nitrogen can cause spotting. Choose a lawn fertilizer with an appropriate NPK content and do not fertilize in high temperatures and high humidity. A fertilizer's NPK ratio indicates how much of each element - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium - it contains. If you would like to know which fertilizer is best for your lawn, you can seek advice from a garden center near you.
- Ensure better aeration of your soil: After aerating and scarifying, dry patches are less likely to occur. When you aerate and scarify the soil, you make it easier for the grass to receive water, air and nutrients.
Fungal diseases, dog urine as wellHeat and drynessare just a few of the many causes of patchy, dead grass. Regardless of the cause, late summer is the ideal time to revitalize bare spots in your lawn!
