June 17, 2020

Picture of dead grass patches in a residential lawn.

You waited all winter to be able to walk barefoot across your lush lawn. But now it seems dry and dotted with dead grass patches.

Is all lost?

No.

More than likely your yard can be saved. You can bring the green back with some simple tips on how to fix dead grass.

Install Sprinkler System

The leading cause of dead grass patches is a lack of water. This happens during the summer after several days of hot temperatures and no rain. These problems can be corrected by installing a sprinkler system.

Not only is a sprinkler system convenient, it ensures the entire lawn is adequately saturated. It can also be set to water when it is most beneficial to your lawn, even when you aren’t home. Watering early in the day before it gets hot reduces evaporation, and if you work, this could be an unattainable schedule to keep by hand. It is best to water your lawn between 5am and 9am.

Water Your Lawn Correctly

It is not enough to just turn on the hose and let it go. You can fix dead grass by watering correctly.

It is better to water deeply a couple times a week instead of a little every day. A good soaking with about an inch of water will help penetrate the soil and encourage grass roots to go deeper.

It’s easy to over water too. So, don’t water if your lawn doesn’t need it.

Fertilize Properly

Fertilizing your yard can do as much bad as good if you don’t know how to do it properly.

Uneven fertilizer application can cause rows of various colored grass. Light yellow means it didn’t get enough fertilizer. A brown or burnt appearance means it got too much.

If this happens, water the grass to encourage it to grow. Also, skip any more fertilizer for now. Instead, wait until fall and be sure to use a spreader to apply it evenly.

Treat for Pests

All kinds of insects are lurking in your lawn. These bugs can cause a lot of problems, including dead patches of grass.

An overwatered, neglected, or over fertilized lawn is a perfect breeding ground for insects. The larvae then emerge and eat grass roots.

Broad spectrum insecticides can wipe out an infestation. However, it can lead to other issues that can harm your lawn. It really is best to call a professional to identify the pest and apply the appropriate insecticide.

Treat for Soil Fungus

Random brown spots or complete circles in your yard usually indicate a fungus is afoot. If fungi are left to their own devices, they millwork deeper in the ground and prevent your yard from getting the moisture and nutrients it needs.

It is best to treat fungus issues quickly with a fungicide before spores have a chance to spread.

Re-Seed Where Needed

If you just can’t revive those dead grass patches, it might be time to re-seed.

Get down to the dirt and loosen the surface soil. Scatter the seeds across the surface and tamp it down to help it germinate. Be sure to water it and you should see new grass emerge in 10 to 20 days.

Listen to Your Lawn

Dead grass patches are your lawn’s way of telling you something is wrong. Responding quickly and correctly will avoid the problems from spreading through your entire yard and getting out of hand.

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly what is going on. It’s best to find a local landscape contractor who knows how to fix dead grass, and which problems can result in dead grass. We’re experienced in all sorts of ways to fix common landscaping problems. We can get to the root of the problem and breathe new life into your lawn.

We want to help you maintain the outdoor space you’ve always wanted. Contact Twin Oaks Landscape today to discuss your yard issues and let’s talk about how we can help.