Prevent Dry Brown Patches from Forming in Your Grass

Homeowners in Florida love to have lush, green lawns on their properties, and it is likely that you count yourself among that number. If your home has a lawn, you probably spend a fair bit of time caring for it throughout the year, so it can be incredibly frustrating when you discover dry brown patches in your grass. While many of the grasses that are common in the region are quite hardy, they do still require the proper care. Here’s what you need to know to properly irrigate your lawn to prevent brown patches from forming.

Adjust Your Sprinklers

Before you run your lawn sprinklers, make note of where the brown patches are beginning to form. Then, when your sprinklers come on, monitor those areas to verify that they are getting sprayed. In many cases, certain areas of your lawn may not be getting enough water to withstand the Florida heat. Depending on the configuration of your sprinklers, there could be areas that the water simply can’t reach.

Sometimes, remedying this problem is as simple as redirecting a few of your sprinkler heads. Pets, people, and wild animals can knock the sprinkler heads out of alignment, causing them to miss some areas of your lawn. Pointing them back in the right direction can ensure full coverage of your lawn and eliminate any dry areas.

If your sprinklers are spaced too far apart, on the other hand, redirecting them won’t necessarily solve your problems. You may need to redesign the layout of your sprinklers to fill in any gaps. While this will likely require digging up and reinstalling your sprinkler system, it will be well worth the effort, and your lawn will definitely thank you.

Water At The Right Time

During the heat of summer, the water from your sprinklers can evaporate before it even hits the ground. Because of this, it is best to water your lawn when the sun isn’t out. This will minimize evaporation and ensure your lawn is getting the water it needs to stay healthy all summer long.

As problematic as underwatering can be, overwatering can be just as harmful. If your lawn is too wet, it can become much more susceptible to disease, leading to even more brown spots that are caused by overwatering. Instead of watering your lawn at the beginning of the night, try watering first thing in the morning before the sun comes up instead. This way, your lawn will get plenty of water but will also have time to dry out a bit before the sun goes down so that it isn’t soggy overnight.

You’ll need to adjust your watering schedule around any rainstorms as well. While many people set their sprinklers on timers, this convenience can come back to bite you during rainy periods. If your lawn has already gotten plenty of water from the rain, it is a good idea to skip your sprinklers that day and possibly the next day as well. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and adjust your sprinkler schedule accordingly.

Check the Soil Conditions

Your soil conditions are crucial to the health of your grass as well. To grow properly, grass needs soil with adequate drainage so that water doesn’t pool and lead to rot. To check your soil, stick a nail, screwdriver, pen, or similar object into the soil a few inches. If you have difficulty pushing it in, your soil is likely compacted and will not provide good drainage for your grass. Aerating the soil can loosen things up and make a big difference.

Keep in mind that the quality of the soil can vary from one area of your lawn to another, so be sure to check several areas. If you have areas that are particularly bad, aerating may not be enough to solve your problems. You may need to dig up that section to replace the soil.

Avoid Dry Brown Spots From Forming on Your Lawn

When you are ready to lay fresh grass on top of your new soil, you can count on Duda Sod for all your needs. We have a vast selection of grasses that grow well in Florida, so don’t be shy about reaching out to us for tips and advice to help them thrive!