Irish gardeners are being urged to tackle brown lawn patches with timely care and repair to help grass recover before the colder months arrive.
Dry, dead patches are a nuisance for gardeners (Image: Getty Images)
With August coming to an end and the evenings beginning to shorten, many Irish gardeners are turning their attention to lawns that may be looking a little worse for wear after the summer holidays. Even with regular mowing, watering and care, brown or discoloured patches still creep in – and now is the key time to address them before autumn sets in.
Phil Catron, president and founder of NaturaLawn of America, explained that the causes of lawn damage tend to shift with the seasons. Speaking to Martha Stewart, he said that while drought and heavy rain are common culprits during summer, fungal problems often take hold during “warm, humid weather”, leaving lawns vulnerable to diseases that attack the roots.
These issues usually show up as unsightly brown patches, often linked to three main lawn diseases.
Brown patch disease leaves irregularly shaped areas of fading grass, especially where the lawn has been waterlogged.Summer patch starts off with yellowing before grass thins out and turns brown.Pythium blight, also known as “grease spot” or “cottony blight”, can be particularly destructive in warm, damp conditions, creating slimy, sunken brown zones across the lawn.
When it comes to tackling these problems, Phil pointed out there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, he recommended simple steps like improving airflow and drainage. He also warned against over-fertilising and highlighted the use of fungicides when needed. Phil added that a local gardening specialist can identify the type of fungus and suggest the most suitable fungicide, Express reports.
Phil said: “Keep an eye on lawn conditions and be proactive about addressing any signs of disease to minimise damage and improve recovery chances.”
If fungal infections go untreated, patches of grass can die off completely. The Royal Horticultural Society advises that damaged areas be treated promptly, then repaired by reseeding or patching with turf.
It explained: “The latter gives instant results, but sowing seed may be easier and cheaper if you have no spare turf to use as a patch.”
However, not every brown patch has a fungal cause. Sometimes the problem is a little closer to home.
Lucie Bradley, gardening expert from Easy Garden Irrigation, told David Wilson Homes that pet urine is another common reason for dead patches as it can kill grass due to the high nitrogen content.
She said: “This can act as a fertiliser in small amounts but can burn when concentrated and create dead patches on the lawn.”
With a bit of care before the colder months arrive in Ireland, your grass has a much better chance of bouncing back lush and green next spring.
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