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Brown patches can quickly take the shine off an otherwise healthy lawn. The tricky part is that there isn't just one cause. From lawn grubs and fungal diseases to pet urine, mowing mistakes, dry soil and even hungry (under-fertilised) turf, several issues can leave your grass looking stressed.
The key to bringing your lawn back to life is identifying what's causing the problem before treating it. Here's how to diagnose the most common causes of brown patches and get your lawn growing green again.
If brown patches have appeared suddenly, lawn grubs could be the reason. These hungry pests feed on the roots of your grass, making it difficult for your lawn to absorb the water and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. As the roots become damaged, the grass begins to turn brown and can quickly deteriorate.
Not sure if grubs are the problem? A simple grub test can help.
If you find any pests, it's best to treat them as soon as possible before they cause further damage. A fast acting product like Battle Insecticide will quickly knock down the existing infestation. To help keep your lawn protected long term, apply a preventative treatment such as Grub Guard Ultimate or Acelepryn, which can provide up to six months of protection against lawn grubs.
Not every brown patch is caused by insects. In many cases, a lawn disease or fungal infection could be the reason, especially during warm, humid weather or after long periods of rain when the lawn stays damp.
Some of the most common signs of a fungal disease include yellowing grass, discoloured patches and brown areas that slowly spread across your lawn.
Fungal diseases are more likely to develop when your lawn is under stress. Common contributing factors include:
Fungal diseases are often encouraged by conditions such as:
The good news is that improving your lawn's growing conditions is often all it takes to stop the disease from spreading and encourage healthy new growth.
Here are a few simple ways to help your lawn recover:
If the disease continues even after you've improved these conditions, a suitable fungicide may be needed to bring it under control. If you're unsure which product is best or whether your lawn is suffering from a fungal disease, feel free to drop into our office at Rosemount Turf or email us some photos to info@rosemountturf.com.au where we would be happy to provide advice before treating your lawn.
If you've noticed small brown patches appearing in the same areas of your lawn, your furry friend could be the reason. Dog urine contains high level of nitrogen, which can overwhelm the grass, causing it to burn and die back.
A few common signs of urine burn include brown patches that stay in one spot rather than spreading, a darker green ring of healthy grass around the edge of the patch, and damage that consistently appears where your pet likes to urinate.
The good news is that urine burn is easy to manage. Training your dog to use a designated toilet area can help protect the rest of your lawn. If that's not practical, simply watering the affected area with water soon after your pet urinates can dilute the nitrogen before it damages the grass.
Another simple solution is to keep some dolomite or garden lime on hand. Lightly sprinkle it over the affected area and water it in well. This helps neutralise the soil, reducing acidity and creating a healthier environment for your lawn to recover.
If brown patches appear after mowing, there's a good chance your lawn has been scalped. Scalping happens when the mower cuts the grass too short, removing too much of the leaf blade and exposing the stems underneath. The result is unsightly brown patches that can leave your lawn looking patchy and stressed.
Scalping is most common on uneven lawns or when the grass has been left to grow too long between mows. As the mower tries to remove too much growth in one pass, it can cut into the crown of the grass, causing damage.
The best way to prevent scalping is to mow regularly and keep your mower set to the recommended height for your lawn variety. Try to avoid removing more than one-third of the grass height in a single mow. If your lawn has dips or high spots, top dressing during spring or summer can help level the surface over time, making it easier to mow evenly and keeping your lawn looking lush and healthy.
Dry patches can be one of the most frustrating lawn problems. They often appear as stubborn brown areas that refuse to green up, even after watering, leaving your lawn looking patchy and even.
In many cases, these dry spots are caused by compacted or water repellent soil. Instead of soaking into the ground, water simply runs off the surface, preventing the grass roots from getting the moisture they need.
One of the best ways to fix dry patches is by aerating your lawn. Using a garden fork or lawn aerator, creates small holes throughout the affected area to loosen the soil. This allows water, air and nutrients to reach the roots more easily and encourages stronger, healthier growth.
After aerating, apply a quality wetting agent such as Lawn Solutions Lawn Soaker. Wetting agents help break down water repellent soil, allowing moisture to penetrate evenly instead of pooling or running away. Once applied, water the lawn thoroughly and continue watering in the early morning while the grass begins to recover.
As your lawn starts to green up, give it a helping hand with a quality fertiliser such as Lawn Solutions Premium Fertiliser or ProPlus Natural Carbon Fertiliser. Feeding your lawn at this stage encourages fresh growth, strengthens the root system and helps the dry patches blend back into the surrounding healthy turf.
With a little patience and the right care, most dry patches can recover, leaving your lawn looking lush, healthy and green once again.
