Bare patches dotting an otherwise green lawn can be frustrating. If other parts of the lawn are successfully growing, why are there bare spots scattered here and there? There are actually many reasons for bare patches, from mowing and watering issues to environmental causes. Pests, disease, and weather can all play a part in unsightly stretches of brown grass, and tossing some grass seed over the area may not be the answer. Here’s how to get to the root of your lawn’s patchy problems and how to fix them to bring your lawn back to life.
Inconsistent Mowing
Grass that’s cut too short or is cut with dull blades becomes stressed and possibly damaged, which can lead to bare spots. Dull blades tear the grass rather than make clean cuts, so make sure blades are sharp. When mowing the grass, never cut more than one-third of the grass blade at one time. Mowing height depends on the type of grass growing on your lawn, but 2.5 to 3 inches is a good rule of thumb.
Improper Watering
Bare spots can appear when there’s too much or too little watering. Underwatering is similar to drought stress, while overwatering can cause fungal disease or root rot. If some parts of the yard get more water than others because sprinklers don’t reach all areas evenly or trees or structures provide too much cover from rainfall, you may need to adjust where you set up your irrigation so watering your lawn is more effective.
Too Much Shade
Areas of the lawn that get more shade than others may be patchy. As the direction of the sun moves throughout the day, trees, homes, shrubs, and other structures may cast a shadow on parts of the lawn. If the lawn isn’t getting four to six hours of sunlight, it may struggle. To help more sunlight reach these areas, trim or thin shrubs and tree limbs that are causing a problem, or you may need to plant shade-tolerant grass or convert the area to a flower bed if grass just doesn’t grow well there.
Poor Soil
Grass may struggle to grow in soil that lacks nutrients, drains poorly, is compacted, or has unbalanced pH. Test your soil to see if nutrient deficiencies are to blame and to check pH levels. Buy a DIY kit from a garden center or contact your local extension office for guidance. Aeration can improve compacted soil, and adding topsoil or organic material afterward can improve drainage and add nutrients.
Heavy foot traffic can cause compacted soil that can lead to bare spots from repeated use over time. Create footpaths in these areas to reduce wear and damage to the lawn.
Thick Thatch
This layer of organic material like grass clippings, leaves, and other debris can build up over time, causing brown spots where grass won’t grow. Some thatch is good for the lawn since it insulates the soil, retains moisture, and acts as a natural mulch. A thick layer of thatch blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching grass roots. Remove it with a garden rake or have the lawn aerated to break it down.
Lawn Disease
Hot, humid weather, and excessive moisture can cause fungus to develop and spread across a lawn. Brown patch disease (Rhizoctonia solani) spreads rapidly under these conditions. Avoid overwatering the lawn and remove any leaves or grass clippings that can encourage fungal growth to help the lawn dry out. Mow grass regularly and don’t let it get too long because the blades won’t dry out quickly when wet.
Turf Pests
Hungry pests like grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms feed on grass roots and blades and suck up moisture, leaving bare spots in their wake. Blades with ragged edges can be a sign of insects chewing on the blades, and tunneling below the surface or turf that can be lifted like a rug can indicate larvae are feeding on the root system. A lawn professional can confirm whether pests are the issue and determine the best treatment.
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