What Causes Brown Spots in a Lawn?
The dream is having a healthy, lush lawn. But the reality for many homeowners in Poughkeepsie, NY, is a tough-to-maintain expanse of grass and brown spots. Fortunately, brown spots can be minimized by knowing the factors that causing these eye sores.
Chemicals
If you’ve taken a DIY approach to your outdoor space, you may have inadvertently contributed to the development of brown spots. Gasoline, herbicides, insect repellents, and pesticides can easily end up on your lawn if proper care isn’t taken. Such chemicals are toxic to grass and create noticeable damage.
Dull Mower Blades
When the grass is trimmed to perfection, it looks healthy. Too often, however, homeowners taking to the task themselves overlook the need to pay as much attention to the maintenance of their mower as they do their landscape. Mower blades need to be sharp as dull blades tear grass, leading to a slow, browning death.
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Roots
Roots of big trees or shrubs don’t care about your grass. They will take all the water and nutrients they need, which is why the grass under the trees usually looks poor. Proper tree pruning, overseeding, and fertilization can overcome this issue and preserve your grass.
Poor Soil Structure
The quality of soil plays a crucial role in your lawn’s health. Poor drainage soil, erosion, pests and insects infestation can all be symptoms of problematic soil that will lead to brown spots.
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Soil should contain 50% pore space (water and air) and 50% solid material. Poorly drained soils have much more water than air. The water stays in the soil for days, sometimes even a week, causing the roots of the grass to rot.
Over-fertilization
Rich in nutrients and essential salts, fertilization is the best way to bring your lawn back to life. Nonetheless, too much fertilizer is as bad for your grass as a lack of it. Landscape professionals know the right balance and can provide the top-notch service that your lawn needs to avoid brown spots.