This is one of the most common questions we get here at Lawn Doctor. There is typically one main reason that the lawn is brown however in some instances it could be from something else. Let’s dive into what the causes could be and how to fix them.
The most common reason for a brown lawn or brown spots is lack of water. Often water is not being applied effectively or consistently to the areas that are brown. A visual check of where your sprinklers are spraying can usually help identify whether or not the brown areas are getting enough water. If everything about the spray looks ok you may need to adjust the watering time or duration.
At Lawn Doctor of Provo-Spanish Fork-Orem we recommend following the guidelines set by Utah State University Center for Water Efficient Landscaping. Guidelines are updated for the time of year and even break down watering recommendations according to the type of sprinkler system you have. Check them out here: https://conservewater.utah.gov/weekly-lawn-watering-guide/
If you are following the recommended watering schedule and the visual check appears to have good coverage you can perform a sprinkler performance test. Utah State has published a simple process for this test: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1344&context=extension_curall
Instead of using specific cups they provide you can also use something like empty tuna cans that will allow you to see if your sprinklers are spreading water uniformly across the lawn.
Most of the time solving the water issue will fix brown spots on your lawn however lack of nutrients could be another possible reason for a brown lawn. Providing your lawn with the right nutrients at the right time of year is key to a green lawn. It’s important to use a fertilizer that is customized to your area and weather conditions. Lawn Doctor can provide a custom program for you even checking your soil to determine exactly what it needs.
Another issue that could be causing your lawn to be brown is compacted soil. If your lawn is too compacted then the roots of the grass have a hard time growing deep to get the nutrients they need. Lawn Doctor can provide aeration services that will help with compaction giving your lawn room to grow deep.
The final reason your lawn may be brown is from mowing it too short. You never want to mow more than ⅓ of the total lawn height off of your lawn. Mowing it too low can cause the turf to stress and brown. Keeping a sharp blade on the mower is important as well.
A lawn can brown for various reasons however lack of water is usually the problem. Make sure your lawn is getting the water it needs on the right schedule and then check if any of the other items we’ve addressed may be causing the issues.
