Just moved into our first house in New Jersey and the entire lawn looks like this. Green on top and totally brown underneath. It’s been very hot here lately. We’ve mowed several times and have been watering. Not sure what to do to make it healthy
by Former_Gamer_
32 Comments
Check out the [Cool Season Beginners Guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/lawncare/comments/fb1gjj/a_beginners_guide_to_improving_your_lawn_this/).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/lawncare) if you have any questions or concerns.*
1. Likely thatch.
2. Get off my lawn please.
Thatch happens. I just lightly raked my KBG/PRG lawn in visibly dead areas to allow airflow and reduce fungal issues/diseases.
https://preview.redd.it/5kz1zuokv0ff1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=77af21521c2784794e17522a974f27d48db5835f
It’s way too hot to break out the dethatch/scarify machine. That would stress the lawn along with heat stress.
Definitely need to de-thatch
1. That’s thatch. It’s an important part of the grass. Don’t dethatch if it’s too hot.
2. Water your grass.
3. Get off the grass please.
That’s normal.
100% normal.
Think of the green like your hair, and the brown like the top of your head, with the roots being your body. This is why they call it “scalping” when you mow too low, which results in your lawn looking brown.
Looks like a healthy thick lawn with a thick crown layer. Plants don’t need to be green where the sun doesn’t shine.
Sharpen your mower blades (ripped grass blade tops) and maybe give it a good rake this fall.
Bermuda does this, only the tops will be green. If you mow lower it will appear brown until there is new growth. It’s why a height reset cut you would mow one setting lower than your intended height.
Is this rage bait?
That is NOT thatch. That is normal for grass.. Sunlight makes the top of the grass green. Light doesn’t penetrate down to the crown, so that area is typically brown.
Ever see someone cut their grass too short, and it looks brown and dead? That’s because they cut right down to the crown layer….big mistake.
Dethatching is a stupid concept that has spread to help destroy lawns, with more people thinking they are doing good.
Cool season lawns rarely need to be treated for thatch, ever.
Your lawn is very healthy looking, and very thick. You probably do NOT seed to overseed this year either…that’s something the dethatchers love to do….rip up half their yard and apply new seed, every year…it’s stupid and comical…
If it otherwise appears to be weed-free, I would actually apply a pre-emergent, which will help keep weeds away. This is when a lot of weeds thrive, as heat goes up, grass may be less watered, and/or cut too short…and so weeds will grow in faster.,
Keep that grass at 4″ in height, mow it every 4-5 days as needed, or more often. I prefer to bag my clippings, because I also don’t believe clippings break down enough…especially for a thick healthy lawn.
New to the sub as this is the first lawn I’ve ever had. Thanks for the advice. And what’s the meaning of the “get off my lawn”? Is that a sub specific thing?
Do NOT dethatch. Made the mistake of following YouTuber’s advice, dethatched last Fall, and my lawn suffered as a result this season.
Cutting your grass as high as the mower will go.Was the best advice I ever listened to
Lawn looks good. Enjoy!
Leave it alone
Normal.
That is a nice healthy lawn. DO not fall into the trap of aggressive “dethatching”. If you do, it should be a very light raking to pull out the dead grass and promote some airflow during the early fall when temps are much lower. THough if the only issue have is these brown strands, I wouldn’t do much.
Cu
Wait until early September when temps are cooler.
Does it pull out easy in clumps? Could be bentgrass. Also could be totally normal.
That is not thatch, the thatch layer is below that.
I always heard mulching was the answer for a healthy lawn, im reading here bagging is the only way to go? Anyone have a pros/cons for mulch vs bag, cool season grass in southeast Michigan
mine looks just like that only lately it has been more and more lighter towards the tip of the grass. I’ve been meaning to ask here why that is? Nice and thick looking grass by the way!
Start of GRUB attack!!!!!
OP: why does my lawn look like this
also OP: posts video of perfect lawn
That’s not thatch. Your lawn looks like that because that’s how grass grows.
Think of the green as the canopy of a forest, and the brown is the tree trunks.
Your lawn looks great. Sit back and relax. Congrats
Are you bragging?
This a humblebrag? Everyone in the northeast has been dealing with heat stress, humidity and moisture related fungus, and OP is over here wondering why his healthy, green, normal looking lawn is the way it is.
Dude, this is a super healthy looking lawn. I’m jealous
The plant doesn’t waste chlorophyll on leaves that cant see the sun.
I only moved in a week and a half ago I can’t take credit for this lawn. The extent of my lawn care knowledge is green = good, brown = bad. But now that’s not even true lol
Wait til I post the patchy, weed-ridden backyard, then no one will be asking if it’s bait lol