Brown spots on your lawn? Here's how to diagnose and fix them

Brown spots are the number one reason people reach out to us. The frustrating part is that brown spots can mean at least six completely different things, and the treatment for each one is different.

Fungal disease

If the brown patches are circular, roughly 2-6 inches across (dollar spot) or 6-24 inches across (brown patch), and appeared during hot, humid weather, you are almost certainly looking at a fungal disease. Dollar spot thrives when nitrogen is low. Apply nitrogen fertilizer and a fungicide like Scotts DiseaseEx if spreading.

Brown patch appears as larger circles with a smoke ring border visible in early morning dew. Reduce watering, mow taller, and apply fungicide. Do not apply nitrogen during active brown patch.

Grub damage

If the dead grass peels up like a carpet when you tug on it, you have grubs. Pull back a section of sod. More than 5-6 white C-shaped grubs per square foot means treatment is needed.

Drought stress

If the brown areas are irregular and appeared during hot, dry weather, it is likely drought. Test by watering deeply for two days. If it greens up, that is your answer. Long-term fix: deeper, less frequent watering and taller mowing height.

Dog urine

Small dark brown circles about 4-8 inches across with a ring of very green grass around the edge. Water the spot immediately after the dog goes. For dead spots, rake, reseed, and keep moist.

Chemical burn

If the brown area has a sharp, unnatural edge, you likely spilled fertilizer or herbicide. Water heavily for several days to flush it. Reseed if grass does not recover in two weeks.

Grasslytics uses AI to analyze a photo of your problem area and give you a specific diagnosis with treatment steps. Faster than a lawn service visit and more specific than a Google search.