Finding brown spots in the lawn can be a major source of frustration for homeowners. Unfortunately, figuring out why you’re seeing brown grass can be a little more complicated than you might realize.
There are multiple reasons why grass can turn brown and it’s going to take some sleuthing to get to the bottom of it.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything you should know about seeing brown grass in your New England lawn. We’ll help you understand some of the possible reasons this might be occurring and what you can do about it.
Brown spots in the lawn can be caused by drought stress, lawn disease, grass-eating insects, nutrient deficiencies, or other soil health problems. The tricky part is that many of these issues can look similar. Paying attention to the shape, location, and timing of the brown grass can help you do a little detective work and narrow down the cause.
Possible Causes of Brown Spots in Lawn
As we’ve mentioned, there can be numerous reasons why you might have brown spots showing up in the lawn.
Drought Stress
When lawns are not receiving enough water, they can definitely turn brown. Often, they will turn pale green or yellow first. Drought-stressed grass may also wilt, feel dry or crunchy underfoot, and fail to bounce back after you walk across it, leaving footprints behind.
If moisture remains unavailable, the lawn can enter a state of dormancy and turn brown. This is actually a defense mechanism that helps protect the grass. Unlike some lawn diseases or insect problems, drought stress is also more likely to affect larger, more uniform areas of the lawn. We’ll talk more about dormancy in the next main section.
Lawn Disease
Brown grass can also be the result of lawn disease. Brown patch lawn disease is a common one in our region and as the name implies, causes brown spots in the lawn. Brown Patch commonly affects all cool-season grasses but has been known to be particularly harmful to perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. This disease is caused by the moisture-loving fungus Rhizoctonia solani.
We also commonly see Red Thread as a culprit of brown grass in New England. Caused by the fungus Laetisaria fuciformis, this lawn disease thrives in hot, wet conditions and appears as a stringy reddish-pink substance on grass blades eventually leading to struggling spots in the lawn.
Lawn disease often shows up in circular or irregular patches. Depending on the disease, you might also notice discolored grass blades, reddish-pink threads, powdery substances, or other visible signs of fungal growth. The appearance can vary, which is one reason why it is not always easy to diagnose lawn disease from brown grass alone.
Spotting lawn disease early on is always helpful. This is why lawn disease inspections are included in all of our lawn care packages at Seacoast Turf Care. Having a lawn care professional on your property regularly will ensure they are able to inspect for early signs of trouble.
Insect Damage
Another common culprit of brown spots in the lawn is insect damage. Grass-eating bugs can cause damage to your lawn by feeding at the surface or even beneath the surface (on lawn roots). The lawn pests that we most commonly deal with in the New England Seacoast region include grubs, chinch bugs, cutworms, armyworms, and sod webworms.
The signs of insect damage will depend on which lawn pest is present. Surface-feeding insects can cause irregular brown patches as they move through the grass. Grubs feed underground on lawn roots, so damaged turf might feel loose or pull away from the soil more easily. Increased bird or animal activity can also be a clue, as wildlife may be digging around looking for grubs.
Nutrient Deficiencies
A lack of nutrients or other soil health issues (like a pH imbalance) can also be the reason behind lawn discoloration. Usually a lawn with deficiencies will turn yellow but extreme issues could lead to the lawn turning brown. Proper fertilization plays a vital role in promoting a healthy and green lawn.
Nutrient or soil health problems are more likely to cause widespread discoloration, thinning grass, or weak growth rather than one clearly defined brown patch. But every lawn is different. Soil testing is the best way to find out whether your lawn is missing key nutrients or dealing with an improper soil pH.
Is Brown Grass Dead? (Dormant vs. Dead Grass)
As we alluded to in the section on drought, brown grass is not always dead. When not receiving enough water, grass can enter a state of dormancy as a mode of protection against stress. Grass also goes dormant in the winter to deal with extreme cold-weather conditions.
One clue that your lawn has entered dormancy is if the brown grass is uniform. In other words, if your entire lawn turned brown and it’s not just brown spots in grass, it might be dormant.
You can also use the season as a clue. Brown grass in summer can be a bit more complicated since there are many potential causes (as we’ve highlighted above). Looking at the uniformity will be key. But brown grass in winter is likely in a dormant state.
There’s also something called the “tug test” to determine if brown grass is dead or dormant. If you tug at the grass and it comes out easily, it’s probably dead. It’s no longer attached by a strong and healthy root system. But if you tug at the grass and it stays put, it’s probably dormant.
How to Fix Brown Spots in Your Lawn
In order to fix brown spots in the grass, you first need to figure out what caused them. That can be easier said than done since many lawn problems share similar symptoms.
You have to be a bit of a detective—or really confident in your Googling—to get to the bottom of what is going on.
Paying attention to recent weather and lawn conditions is a good place to start. If there has been limited rainfall and your lawn has other symptoms like wilted grass, lingering footprints, or dry and cracked soil, drought stress is a likely culprit.
Diagnosing lawn disease versus insect damage can be a little more complicated. Surface-feeding insects, such as chinch bugs, can sometimes be found by getting down to the turf level and taking a closer look.
Grubs feed beneath the surface and might not be immediately visible. But if the grass is no longer firmly attached to the ground, that is a good indication that something has damaged the roots. You might also notice increased bird or wildlife activity since many animals feed on lawn grubs.
The shape of the damaged area can provide another clue. Lawn diseases often cause more regular or circular patches, while insect damage can look more irregular as the insects move around. Some diseases also leave behind visible fungus, reddish threads, or powdery substances on the grass.
Once you know what is causing the brown grass, you can choose the right solution:
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Drought stress: Water the lawn deeply and consistently, preferably in the morning. Avoid mowing the grass too short, especially during hot and dry weather.
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Lawn disease: Address the conditions that might be encouraging disease, such as excess moisture or prolonged periods of wet grass. Depending on the disease and severity, professional treatment might also be needed.
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Lawn-damaging insects: Identify the insect before applying a treatment. Different lawn pests require different products and treatment timing.
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Nutrient or soil problems: Test the soil before guessing which fertilizer or soil amendment your lawn needs. The results can help you make the right improvements without wasting time or money.
Ultimately, getting the diagnosis right is the most important step. Applying the wrong solution will not fix the brown spots and could potentially make the problem worse.
A lawn care professional can identify exactly what your lawn is dealing with and recommend the best course of action. They can also help you put preventative strategies in place so that the same problem is less likely to return.
Choosing Lawn Care in New England
It helps to have a lawn care expert on your side when it comes to dealing with lawn problems. It can feel overwhelming trying to get to the bottom of what’s going on with brown grass. But a lawn care pro can diagnose what’s going on and help you determine the best course of action.
At Seacoast Turf Care, we want to be your partner in success. We know that a healthy lawn is important to you and we want to help. We provide lawn care services in Southern NH, Northeastern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine.
Lawns can be a lot of work, but you don’t have to take care of yours alone. We’re here to help.
Want to learn more about what makes us a great choice for your lawn care needs? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get lawn care pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Sources: dormant grass, drought stressed lawn
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