Having a full green lawn is a common dream of most lawn owners. But your dream must be ruined when you pay and give all your effort to the lawn, but a few days later, brown patches appear. It just ruins the entire aesthetics of your lawn. However, these brown patches are commonly known as dry patches. And dry patches on the lawn are one of the most familiar and stubborn lawn diseases.
I am sure that many of you, once in a while, face these dry patches on your lawn. It is even that common. But do you know why it appears so frequently? I wish you knew it. Some of your precautions may help you get rid of them.
However, there is some essential information I know about the dry patches. And today, I am going to share them with you. From the reason for what it appears to the tips for its remedy, I will share everything about it. So, stick to this content till the end if you never want to get dry patches on your lawn.
What are Dry Patches?
The name of the disease is pretty much self-descriptive. That means it already says what it is. However, it is about the formation of a particular area on the lawn where all the grass becomes faded and brown. Sometimes, the grass in the area just dies, making the ground seen.
You may think that it is the dry soil that is appeared because of the diseases. But that’s wrong. The patches basically dry the soil and kill the grass. It mostly happens when the particular area doesn’t get enough moisture.
The problem this disease cause is pretty much complicated. It simply prevents the soil unable to absorbing water or moisture. That’s why the area becomes dry overnight, and the grass turns brown. In the end, the grass dies in the area. And if you don’t take instant action against it, the area will start growing. Eventually, it can grab the entire lawn if you don’t water it properly.
Why Dry Patches Appear on My Lawn?
Dry Patches often appear on the lawn, and most people mistake them for some kind of virus or fungus. But actually, dry patches are not anything like fungus or an invective germ. It’s even not a disease for the grads. Indeed, it happens due to the problem with soils. However, people sometimes confuse Dry Patches with “Take All,” as they look similar.
However, dry patches on the lawn are a condition that does not allow your soil to take up any water, and even a heavy rainfall fails to moisten the soil. Eventually, patches of grasses die and turn brown, while some other parts of the lawn still appear to be healthsome.
In addition, Dry patches are a common problem in dry weather, and it is linked to thick layers of lawn thatch along with heavy soil compaction. It is mostly seen under trees and in trafficked areas on older lawns. Moreover, there is a type of fungi that comes up within the roots of the grass and thatch layer, and it quilts the soil fragments, especially in a water-repellent layer.
Sometimes, the grass manifests with an extensive room system, but water does not seem to reach there either. Some other types of fungi bring Type 1 Fairy rings on your lawn, and it makes the soil impenetrable through water, and mushroom begets in the outer parts as a result of it.
This variety of fungi technically breaks down the dead organic material, including dead leaves, grassroots, and clippings inside the thatch layer. Likewise, some other reason why Dry Patches appear is physical or chemical changes and shallow soil.
Common Symptoms of Dry Patches on the Lawn
What we prioritize the most about the diseases of the lawn is to identify the problem successfully. Indeed, many different lawn diseases look exactly like dry patches with slight differences. However, to identify dry patches on the lawn properly, it is essential to learn about their common symptoms. The following points will help you learn about it.
- The soil below the grass becomes dry and even past heavy rainfall.
- Heavy rainfall eventually makes a puddle on the brown patches as the soil can not take up water.
- Sudden patches turn out to be darker green before it gets brown.
- Even if you try to water it, it will not soak, and the puddle will only get more water.
- Oftentimes, there is white fungal mycelium and a frowzy smell in the soil.
So, first, you have to observe the area properly and check if all the symptoms are there. If the same thing happens in a small area like a coin, maybe it’s another lawn disease, dollar spots. But for the big area, it must be the dry patches. Now, you must be thinking about how to get rid of it, right. The next point will say all about it. And also, check the point next to that to learn about prevention.
Solutions to Getting Rid of Dry Patches from the Lawn
Most of you who are reading this article must have some dry patches on the lawn. Maybe that’s why you are searching for the solution to this problem. Well, I got this problem several times, especially when I was a beginner.
My friend who is working in a Lawn Maker Organization helped me with some effective tips to get rid of it. And I am sure it will help you for sure. I followed three easy steps to get back to my green lawn again. However, check out the steps quickly and apply them on your lawn.
Step 1: Aerate the Area Properly
You can easily get rid of dry patches, and it only needs to have proper aeration. In this case, you can use an aerator scandal, garden fork, or even a specialized aerator. But you have to ensure that the affected area is fruitful. It is equally important to choose the tool that will go easy with the size of the lawn.
Plus, by aerating, the soil parts will be separated, and it helps water and other nutrients get into the soil. It is simpler after a good douse, and you do not have to try to aerate if the soil particles are moistened with watering.
Step 2: Apply Wetting Agent
Another special tool to help to soak the water into the soil is the Wetting Agent. It is helpful only after you finish aerating the affected area and then applying it. Also, the soil has to be irrigated again thoroughly. It helps water-absorbing and enables the soil to hold the water for a longer time.
Step 3: Use Fertilizer to Get New Grass
In the final step, when you have already gotten rid of the dry patches on the lawn, you have to work to get back new grass on the affected area. After your lawn has been aerated, irrigated, and wet, your task is to apply appropriate lawn fertilizer and water the whole lawn again.
It will help ensure the fact that the granules will not burn out. Following the instructions and applying lawn care products is essential too. And then you can use some seeds and let them grow to get back the new grass in the bald area.
This is how you can easily get rid of dry patches. But we prefer following the tips for preventing dry patches. It’s not about using some fertilizer or insecticide. Indeed, it’s all about some caring tips.
How to Prevent Frequent Attack of Dry Patches?
There are several ways to prevent the attack of dry patches on your lawn. Just make sure to get the tips as your habit. If you manage to ensure them from the beginning, we can assume that you don’t have to think about the dry patches ever in your lawn.
- You need to improve the soil formerly while installing turf in it. And of course, it has to be a special variety of turf grass.
- It is helpful to water the lawn in the right way.
- Don’t water the lawn deeply and make the land soak repeatedly. It will rot the roots.
- Try to water the area during the first heat and drought; you have to repeat the process before it starts to wilt.
- If you have a grass seed lawn, choose the drought-tolerant lawn grass seed.
- You can even detach or scarify the lawn so that there will be less chance of growing and spreading any fungi.
- You can also reduce stress and evaporate as they can kill the grass.
Besides, you should take instant action when you find fungus, Mushrooms, insects, etc., on your lawn. Other diseases like dollar spot can also end up making dry patches as well. That’s why whenever you find something wrong, try to take instant action to prevent it.
FAQ
Q: Why am I getting dry patches on my lawn?
A: You can get frequent dry patches on your lawn for varieties of reasons, including excessive heat exposure, inadequate water, not sufficient moistured soil, pet urine, insects, inadequate water absorption, and so on.
Q: What can I use for dry grass?
A: You should use any winter fertilizer to treat dry grass. You should use a watering agent and also water the area properly. You have to make sure that the area is absorbing water properly.
Q: Will watering dead grass bring it back?
A: No, the dead grass cannot get back its life with water. Indeed, water can help the dormant grass around the dead one to get back their healthy life for sure. So, when you find some areas of dead grass, just remove them from the ground so that new grass can grow in the place.
Q: Is There any particular medicine for Dry patches?
A: No, you cannot use any particular Medicine to get rid of dry patches instantly. But you can try aeration and water agent to get rid of it. This process is quite slow for sure.
Final Verdict
Dry patches on your lawn are very unpleasant, and they just ruin the beauty of the entire lawn. It may not seems very dangerous always, but it can be the worst and kill your entire lawn if you ignore it for long. So, you should be careful of it and always have a look properly to find if there are any dry patches in the turf or grass seed lawn.
I am sure that you have already learned what you should do to get rid of it and prevent it. Now is the time to apply the methods and say goodbye to those stubborn patches. Also, here, we are saying goodbye to you for today. Wait for us till we come up with something essential once again. Thank you.