Common Causes of Patchy Grass and How to Fix It

Are you wondering, “Why does my lawn look patchy?” Patchy grass is a common problem for homeowners with many possible causes. Compacted soil, too much shade and insects could all cause patchy grass—and just one brown patch of grass could ruin the entire look of a beautiful lawn.

So now you might be wondering how to fix patchy grass? Well, it can be simple when you understand what caused your patchy grass.

Below, we cover common reasons for patchy grass and ways of correcting them. Use the tips below and your lawn will look beautiful in no time.

Shaded areas

Grass that isn’t getting enough sunlight will die. If you notice patches of brown grass near trees and other tall plants, too much shade could be the issue. That said, growing healthy grass in the shade is possible.

Be sure to prune your trees, as this can allow some sunlight to shine through the branches. Regular pruning is also important in maintaining the health of your tree. If you’ve never pruned your trees before, consider contacting a professional arborist.

Some species of grass survive better in shaded areas. Ask a landscaping expert in your area if they have any shade-tolerant grass species.

Pest problems

Certain pests can cause major damage to a lawn, including grubs, cutworms, chinch bugs and sod webworms. It can be hard to determine if pests are causing your patchy grass unless you actually see one. If you do notice any pests near areas of patchy grass, contact a pest control expert in your area.

While it’s possible to get rid of certain pests on your own, you don’t want to accidentally cause more damage to your lawn.

Lawn diseases

Lawn diseases like powdery mildew will cause patches of discolored grass. Powdery mildew is marked by patches of white grass covered in a white powder. There are various treatment options for powdery mildew, including thiophanate-methyl, propiconazole and sulfur. It is, however, important to speak with a landscaping expert before using any fungicide on your lawn.

Other common lawn diseases include dollar spot lawn disease, gray leaf spot lawn disease, leaf spot lawn disease and pythium lawn disease.

Problems with the soil

If the soil in your yard is too hard or compacted, grass roots can’t get the nutrients and air they need to grow. Landscaping companies often offer lawn aeration services, which can help deal with compacted grass. Lawn aeration is the process of removing small tubes of soil to allow for better water and nutrient retention. The service can work wonders for lawns with compacted soil.

How to fix patchy grass

We’ve already covered several ways to fix patchy grass, including pruning your trees and getting rid of pests, but the best way to take care of your lawn is by contacting a landscaping expert. A landscaping expert will be able to determine the exact cause of your patchy grass and offer the best solution.

For all your landscaping needs, contact the experts at RainforestLA, Inc.