There are various causes of brown spots and each of them is dealt with in different ways. Brown spots in the grass are usually a sign of fungus or disease. 
Those spots on your lawn can also be frustrating. You take pride in your lawn, and those spots appear out of nowhere! But do not worry, there are ways to identify and prevent them.
11 Probable Causes and How to Prevent Them
1. Overwatering
Overwatering is one of the most, if not always, common causes of brown spots in the grass. When you water your lawn too frequently or for too long, the roots of the grass can begin to suffocate, which leads to unhealthy grass. Preventing it earlier is better; cut back on the frequency and duration of your watering sessions.
2. Poor Drainage
If you have poor drainage, water can pool on your lawn and cause the grass to suffocate. This is a common problem in areas with clay soil. When the grass starts to choke, other issues might occur. The simple preventive solution is to improve your drainage by installing a French drain or aerating your lawn.
3. Dog Urine
If you have dogs and other pets, chances are you’ve noticed yellow or brown patches on your lawn where they like to do their business. The high nitrogen levels in dog urine can cause burns to the grass, spawning it to turn yellow or brown. To prevent this, you can upskill your dog to do its thing in a specific area of your yard that’s not grass or dilute the urine with water before it can soak into the ground.
4. Fungus
Fungus is another common cause of spots in the grass. The most common fungus affecting lawns is called “Dollar Spot,” which gets its name from the small, silver-dollar-sized spots it forms on the grass blades. To prevent this from occurring, clean your mow blades regularly before and after using them.
5. Over-Fertilizing
Fertilizer is great for boosting your lawn, but too much fertilizer can be harmful. When you over-fertilize, the excess nitrogen in the fertilizer can burn the grass and affects its health. With the help of an expert like Heroes Lawn Care; with them, you will be guided appropriately in fertilizing your lawn.
6. Pests
No matter what, pests are pests. By all means, they are destructive. Pests like grubs and chinch bugs can cause damage to your lawn, leading to brown spots. To prevent pests(and others alike) from taking over your property, ensure to regularly treat your yard with an insecticide (preferably an organic one) designed for lawn use.
7. Drought
If you live in a place where drought conditions are imminent, that could be why you are seeing spots on your lawn. During periods of drought, it’s essential to water your lawn deeply but less often so that the roots have time to absorb the water before it evaporates. And also, you must water your lawn during the night.
8. Compacted Soil
If the soil in your yard is compacted, there needs to be more space between the particles for air and water to circulate freely. That can lead to problems like poor drainage and an inability for the roots to grow properly, which can cause problems in your lawn. The solution is to aerate your lawn regularly, so the soil is manageable.
9. Shade
Grass needs sunlight to photosynthesize and produce food for itself, so if an area of your lawn doesn’t get enough sunlight, it could turn brown. Maybe you have pieces of stuff seated on your lawn; remove them. And if you have shady areas in your yard, try planting shade-tolerant grasses or add some landscaping features like trees or shrubs that will provide relief from the sun.
10. Too Much Traffic
Suppose an area of your yard gets a lot of foot traffic (for example, kids playing, pets running around, etc.); that could be why it’s starting to turn brown. The solution is to create a designated play area or path that will take the wear and tear off of the grass.
11. Cutting Your Grass Too Short
When you curtail your grass superfluously, it stresses the plant and becomes more prone to disease, insects, and drought. It also doesn’t leave enough leaf surface for photosynthesis, which means the grass cannot produce its food. The preventive solution is simple: raise the height of your mower blade!
Conclusion
Brown spots in your lawn can be unsightly and frustrating, but there’s no need to despair! In most cases, they are caused by easily remedied problems like compaction, pests, or too much foot traffic. Following these tips can keep those pesky spots from taking over your beautiful green lawn!
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