Lush, green grass is not immune to dead brown patches. The seasonal heat can bring these unwelcome visitors into your yard, especially in older lawns. These brown patches are caused by several other factors too such as foot traffic, fungus, lack of fertilisation, chemical spills, drought or animal urine.
Chances are, you’ve seen these brown patches in your formerly pristine lawn. Brown patches of dead, dying or dormant turf are hardly unusual, as they plague grasses of all varieties. If the underlying problem is severe enough, these pesky brown patches could destroy your lawn eventually.
Here are effective tips in treating brown patch in lawns.
How to Fix Brown Patches in Your Lawn
Water on schedule
Watering your lawn too often increases its risk of developing brown patch, which typically occurs when the soil is dry but the surface is wet. Aim for a routine of watering your lawn once every 3-4 days, and water deeply – approximately 1/2 inch per session.
It’s best to water your lawn in the early morning before the sun shines too strongly. The moisture will then become trapped at the surface during the hottest time of the day.
As much as possible, try watering your lawn between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. Even though it may seem more convenient to do it after work, watering at night will result in the grass not having enough time to fully cool until dawn – leading to brown patches on your lawn.
Ensure proper drainage
Soil that is compacted leads to poor drainage in your turf, which is a common problem many homeowners experience when it comes to lawn maintenance. To check for compacted soil, press a screwdriver into the grass. If the blade does not easily move into the soil, the soil is compacted. This means the nutrients and water your lawn needs are not penetrating the soil into the grassroots, leaving you with excess moisture on your lawn’s surface. Your lawn’s heavily trafficked areas are the ones most susceptible to compaction, and consequently the build-up of excess moisture on the surface.
To avoid soil compaction, it is recommended to aerate your lawn at least twice a year. Providers of lawn repair and restoration services such as Green Oasis Lawn and Reticulation can do this for you.
Mow high
You might be tempted to mow your lawn short, especially during the summer months when it re-grows so quickly. But if the grass in your lawn grows too high, the sun won’t be able to get through the surface and move moisture and heat away.
As a result, brown patch will thrive in your lawn. To avoid this, keep the setting on your lawn mower about half an inch higher than normal during the summer season.
Fertilise carefully
It has been proven that excess nitrogen in your lawn can lead to brown patches. Avoid fertilising your lawn when it’s humid or hot out. Select a fertiliser with a suitable NPK value. NPK refers to your fertiliser’s proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. You can ask the landscaping experts from Lawn and Reticulation about which fertiliser is best for your turf.
Enlist the help of professionals
Lawn care providers such as Green Oasis Lawn and Reticulation can help you establish and maintain a healthy turf that’s less susceptible to brown patch by handling soil aeration, disease control, moisture retention, de-thatching and more. With over 15 years of experience in lawn care, we are a dedicated team of turf and irrigation professionals who will restore your lawn to its former glory.
For more information and enquiries on treating brown patch in lawns, don’t hesitate to call us today.
