For a lush, green garden or lawn, one has to spend some time maintaining the space. One must also keep an eye out for brown patches of grass that not only make the space look dull but can indicate problems like pest infestation. That said, common causes of brown patches of grass are lack of moisture, high foot traffic, or excessive thatch. Fortunately, a few tips can help one get rid of brown grass.
Check the soil pH level
When plants or grass appear dull, one must check the soil in which they are growing. Poor quality, undernourished soil does not allow grass to thrive. To check the soil condition, one can begin by testing its pH level, which indicates if the soil is neutral, alkaline, or acidic. Usually, warm-season grass thrives in acidic soil, which has a pH lower than 7. On the other hand, cool-season grass works well with more neutral or slightly acidic soil, which has a pH level between 6 and 7.2. One can buy a simple pH testing kit to examine their soil. If the pH is too high (alkaline) for a specific kind of grass, one can add sulfur-based fertilizer to their soil to make it more acidic. In contrast, if the soil pH is too low (acidic soil), then one can add agricultural lime or dolomitic lime to their garden, which can make the soil more alkaline.
Dethatch the lawn
Thatch is a layer of dried leaves, grass, and other material stuck that can build up over the soil surface. Excessive thatch buildup can make patches of grass dry up and die. This is because a thick layer of thatch makes it difficult for the grass underneath to get enough air, water, and sunlight. Too much thatch can also become a breeding ground for disease-causing fungi, which can impact the grass. So, one of the best ways to remove brown grass quickly is to dethatch the lawn.
Aerate the soil
Sometimes, soil can become too compacted or dense, so much so that even air can not penetrate it and reach the grass and plants. This eventually kills the grass. Improper aeration can even restrict the roots from absorbing moisture and nutrients from the soil, which worsens the health of the grass. To avoid these issues, one must ensure that they aerate the soil whenever necessary. The process of aeration involves puncturing holes into the soil to allow air and water to seep in. One can use tools like a spike or core aerator for the process.
Get rid of weeds
Dandelions, white clover, witchgrass, and other similar weeds can also be problematic for lawns. These weeds utilize moisture and nutrients from the soil for their growth, not leaving enough for grass. Eventually, nutrient deprivation can kill the grass. So, if one begins noticing patches of grass drying up and turning brown, they must check for weeds in the lawn and immediately remove them. The best way to remove weeds is by manually uprooting them using hands or tools.
Check for pest infestation
Pests like grubs, bugs, and worms can also be a reason for brown patches of grass. For instance, grubs usually live under the top layer of the soil and feed on the roots of the grass, killing it in the process. To look for grubs, one can examine a piece of dead turf. If one notices off-white C-shaped pests in that portion, it could be a sign of grub infestation, which needs to be addressed immediately. To get rid of grubs, one can use milky spores, add beneficial nematodes to the soil, or hire lawn pest control professionals for the job.
Water the lawn regularly
Grass can dry up and turn brown when it does not get enough water. So, if pests, excessive thatch, or extremely dense soil do not seem to be causing brown patches, one might have to try watering the grass to revive it. Installing a sprinkler system on the lawn can make the task easier. One must also ensure they are watering the grass at the right time, i.e., early morning and late evening. It is advisable to avoid watering the lawn in the afternoons, as a lot of the moisture tends to evaporate due to the heat, leaving barely enough for the grass to absorb.
Consider topdressing
Sometimes, nourishing the soil is how one can fix brown grass patches, as a lack of nutrients in the soil can kill the grass over time. To tackle this problem, one can add a layer of compost to the surface of the soil. This process, called topdressing, adds enough nutrients for the grass and plant roots to absorb.
So, the best way to completely remove brown grass is to maintain the lawn regularly. Upkeep should also involve checking for signs of lawn diseases, pest infestation, soil compaction, and overgrowth of weeds. Upon noticing and addressing brown grass, one must try to prevent the reoccurrence of brown patches of grass by watering the lawn and clearing debris and excessive thatch. One must also mow the lawn regularly to allow the grass to grow quickly.
