How do you know if brown grass is a disease, insects, or just dry? (ASK Around)

One of the most widespread lawncare issues is fungal disease that results in brown patches of grass. However, not all brown patches are caused by fungi! Insects and dryness can also detract from healthy green grass. Not sure what you’re dealing with? Here are some vital signs you can check to diagnose your lawn:

• Has the grass been getting adequate water? If it’s been raining sufficiently, or if you’ve been watering your lawn with an inch of water per week, you can safely rule out dryness as a cause of brown patches. Not sure how much water your sprinklers are delivering? You can check this using the tuna can test. Set out small containers (such as tuna cans) around your yard before watering. Afterwards, measure the depth of the water caught in the containers to see if you need to increase (or decrease) your watering time or otherwise adjust your sprinklers. Make sure to place the containers in any area you are unsure whether the sprinklers are reaching it properly!
• What colors do you notice on the grass in the brown patches? Some fungal diseases leave a whitish, grayish, or even pinkish tint on affected grass, and some develop multicolored spots on the leave blades themselves. If you see a powdery coating or pinkish strands on your grass, those are sure signs of a fungus.
• How fast are the brown patches spreading? This is a good question to ask if you started with a healthy green lawn. Insect infestations tend to spread gradually across a yard. Fungal diseases can appear much more quickly over a large area when triggered by environmental factors such as humidity.
• What happens if you tug on the brown grass? Does it pull up too easily? Since grubs and worms attack underground, weak roots are a sign of an insect infestation rather than a fungal disease. You can also dig up a sample to check for any visible pests. Sometimes you might even notice birds or other wild animals showing an increased interest in your lawn since grubs and larvae are a tasty snack for them.

Other common causes of brown spots include compaction in high-traffic areas and chemical burns from excess fertilizer such as urea. You know your own lawn best and probably have a good idea if either of these are a risk. Thinking through the questions above and making a few key observations should point you in the right direction as far as diagnosing your brown spots, but when in doubt, ask an expert and reach out to us at SoilKit!

If you suspect a fungal disease, click here for more information on fungal lawn infections.