How to fix dry grass and brown spots on your lawn

We hate the thought of our customers looking out onto their gorgeous green grass and being shocked by dry, brown patches in the middle of the lawn. Where did they spring from? It’s natural to assume your turf has died, but before you start grieving for your grass, it’s important to check whether the dry patch is dead or just dormant. For the latter, the secret is knowing how to revive it!

IS MY GRASS DEAD OR DORMANT?

As we said, it’s important to know the difference between dead and dormant grass as this will determine how you can repair your lawn. You also don’t want to waste your time on dead turf or completely right off sleeping grass.

To spot dry grass, it normally has a straw-like colour and appears in different shapes and places across your garden. It may be a home for weeds too, which although annoying, is a good sign there’s still some life in there.

If you regularly water the area, dry grass will also show signs of activity such as water seeping into the soil. Whereas dead grass will not absorb any water and you won’t see any regrowth, even after a couple of weeks.

WHAT ARE DRY GRASS PATCHES?

Dry grass patches are areas of unhealthy grass. Over time, the soil in this area has begun to repel water rather than absorb it. This means the grass roots embedded within that section cannot soak up the water and nutrients they need. Eventually leading to the grass dying and the soil becoming bone-dry.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BROWN SPOTS ON MY LAWN?

There are lots of reasons for dry areas throughout your lawn. Some of these are caused by human intervention (unintentionally, of course) or nature. Common causes of dry brown patches include:

• Layers of thatch – too much garden debris can prevent water and sunlight from reaching the soil and support healthy grass growth.
• Your furry friends – whether it’s your pet or wild animals such as foxes, animal urine contains nitrogen which can damage your lawn over time.
• Pest infestations – pests and insects are not only an unpleasant thought, once they bury under the soil, they’ll steal essential water and nutrients.
• Fungal diseases – in particular, fungi which form within the thatch on the surface of your turf, and results in water-repellent soil.
• Periods of drought – with the impact of climate change, we’re noticing longer hot, dry summers. Which, along with hose pipe bans, can dry out your soil.
• Close cuts – setting your lawnmower to a low-cut setting can result in shallow grass roots. Meaning your turf isn’t establishing a strong root system to source water.
• Older lawns – all lawns need to be regularly maintained but old lawns, which you may have inherited, can dry out faster. Putting them at a higher risk of dry grass.

HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF GRASS DRY PATCHES

This may seem obvious but there are lots of signs indicating the start of dry grass. If you can spot these and treat the area early on, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, stress and money later. Symptoms of dry grass include:

• Dark green and brown spots
• Grass doesn’t regrow after rainfall or watering
• Dry, hard soil underneath the dry patch
• Water runs off the surface rather than soaks in
• The surface becomes waterlogged
• There’s an unpleasant smell
• White growth on the surface could indicate fungal mycelium

HOW TO FIX DRY PATCHES

The good news is, once you’ve spotted the patch, there’s plenty you can do to bring your grass back to life. Here are our 6 top tips to fix dry grass:

• Start scarifying – by removing the additional thatch on your lawn, water has a better chance to reach the soil.
• Aerate your lawn – aeration involves spiking holes throughout your turf. This breaks up compacted soil, allowing water to move and reach the grass roots.
• Water your grass – once aerated, water your turf, and in particular, the dry spots daily. Be careful not to overwater by checking the water is being absorbed.
• Feed and seed – fertiliser is a great way to give your turf extra nutrients, encouraging regrowth. Depending on the time of year will determine which feed and seed you’ll need.
• Watch your pets – your dog or cat may have a favourite spot in the garden to relieve themselves. If that’s the case, protect the area and encourage them to pee elsewhere.
• Mowing height – check you’re not cutting your grass too short. Raise the height of your lawn mower as longer grass blades will become stronger and more established.

Will watering dead grass bring it back?

It all depends on whether your grass has dry patches, is turning brown or is completely dead. If your grass is patchy or brown then there are several methods, as mentioned above, that can help revive your lawn. The best way to avoid a completely dead lawn is to have top quality turf in the first place.

WHEN’S THE BEST TIME TO FIX DRY PATCHES?

Ideally, as soon as you spot them! They don’t look great dotted around your lawn, and they can become a tricky problem to resolve if left too long. When fixing dry lawns, aim for a cool, wet day – which luckily you won’t be short of in the UK! Aim for a rainy day too as it’ll save you a job watering! Extreme weather conditions such as freezing winters or scorching summers won’t provide the best results. So, focus on spring or autumn and choose the right fertiliser for the season.

LET GDT HELP PATCH THINGS UP

If you’re unsure how to restore your turf from dry and dull to luscious and lovely, get in touch with the George Davies Team. We can support you with the right treatment for dry patches as well as fertiliser advice or brand-new turf if needed.