7 Minute(s) read

Why is my lawn dying?

If you're noticing brown patches, thinning grass, or sections of your lawn looking lifeless, you’re likely asking yourself, ‘Why is my lawn dying?’ 

A healthy lawn can suffer for many reasons, but understanding the causes is the first step to restoring it. Whether your grass is dead, dormant, or just struggling, this guide will help you diagnose the problem and bring your lawn back to life.

If you’re looking for a visual guide on diagnosing your lawn problems, we’ve got a selection of videos you can watch. They’ll help you transform the look and health of your grass. 

Why is my lawn dying in patches?

A vibrant, green lawn can die off due to various environmental and maintenance factors. Here are some of the most common reasons:

• Lack of water: Grass needs consistent hydration to thrive. Too little water can cause the grass to dry out, leading to brown patches and dying grass.
• Excessive watering: Overwatering your lawn can suffocate the roots by depriving them of oxygen, leading to dead grass and unhealthy growth.
• Compacted soil: Compacted soil restricts root growth, limiting your grass's access to essential nutrients and water. It can also lead to brown patches and dying grass.
• Poor sunlight: Grass needs adequate sunlight to photosynthesise. If your lawn is heavily shaded, it might struggle to grow, causing it to die off.
• Temperature changes: Grass growth can slow or stop due to seasonal temperature shifts, particularly during winter or in extreme summer heat.
• Diseases: Various lawn diseases, such as fungal infections, can cause brown patches or dead spots to appear.

Knowing these potential causes can help you take preventative measures to keep your lawn healthy and lush.

Why does my lawn keep dying?

Compacted soil is a common reason why your lawn might be dying. When soil becomes too dense, often due to foot traffic, lawn mowers, or heavy equipment, it restricts the movement of air, water, and nutrients to the roots of your grass. The result is a stressed and weak lawn that struggles to absorb what it needs to thrive.

Signs of compacted soil:

• Water pooling on the surface after watering or rain
• Thin or patchy grass growth
• Difficulty sticking a shovel or garden fork into the soil

To address this issue, you can aerate the soil to create small holes that allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate deeper. This helps the roots grow stronger, promoting a healthier lawn.

Dormant vs. dead lawn: understanding the difference

A lawn that appears brown and lifeless may not be dead; it could just be dormant. Grass enters a dormant state during periods of extreme heat or cold to conserve energy and survive until more favourable conditions return. Many types of warm-season grasses, like those sold by Lilydale Instant Lawn, will turn brown during winter but will revive once warmer temperatures return.

Key differences:

• Dormant grass: This grass is still alive, even though it appears brown and dry. You can revive dormant grass by maintaining a consistent watering schedule, fertilising, and ensuring the lawn receives proper care once temperatures rise again.
• Dead grass: Dead grass will not recover. It feels brittle and doesn’t turn green after watering or fertilising. To revive dead grass, you will likely need to reseed or lay new turf.

If you're unsure whether your grass is dormant or dead, try watering the lawn regularly for a couple of weeks. If you don’t see any signs of growth, it's likely dead.

Dead vs dormant grass

Seasonal and temperature changes

The growth and health of your lawn are directly related to the changing seasons and temperatures. Warm-season grasses, such as those from Lilydale, thrive in the warmer months but may go dormant when the temperature drops. On the other hand, grass growth can slow down or stop entirely during hot, dry summers if it’s not adequately watered.

Temperature Tips:

• Cool temperatures (Winter/Spring): As the temperature drops, warm-season grasses like Couch and Kikuyu will enter dormancy, losing their vibrant green colour.
• Hot temperatures (Summer): In extreme heat, grass may experience heat stress, turning brown and brittle without enough water.

During dormant periods, your lawn might lose its colour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t maintain its appearance. Products like ColourGuard Plus, a natural lawn pigment, can be applied to keep your lawn looking fresh and green, even when the grass is not actively growing.

How to save a dying lawn 

If you’re wondering how to fix dying lawn, try these tips. 

Ensuring your lawn gets enough sunlight

Sunlight is vital for your lawn’s health. Grass uses sunlight for photosynthesis, which produces the energy needed for growth. If parts of your lawn are shaded by trees, buildings, or other structures, those areas may struggle to grow.

Solutions:

• Trim back trees or bushes that may be blocking sunlight.
• Consider planting shade-tolerant grass seeds in areas with limited sunlight.

If your lawn doesn't receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, you may experience brown patches and thin growth. In these cases, you might want to consider a different type of grass seed or make changes to your landscape to allow for more sun exposure.

Watering: Too much or not enough?

Watering your lawn properly is critical for maintaining healthy grass. Both under- and over-watering can lead to dying grass.

• Not enough water: If your lawn isn’t getting enough water, it will turn brown and dry. This can cause large dead patches. How to fix a dying lawn due to drought? Start by deeply watering it, but ensure you're not over-saturating the soil.
• Too much water: Over-watering can be just as harmful. When the lawn is constantly wet, it can promote disease growth and suffocate the roots. Use a soil-wetting agent to help the water penetrate deeper and prevent the lawn from drowning.

The importance of fertilising

A lawn needs nutrients to stay green and healthy. Fertilising replenishes essential nutrients that grass uses to grow. However, over-fertilising can burn your grass, leading to brown patches and dying lawn areas.

To keep your lawn healthy, fertilise it once during the growing season with a balanced lawn food that includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This will help support fresh growth and prevent your lawn from turning into dead grass.

Sir Grange turf

Lawn diseases to watch for

Lawn diseases can creep up unexpectedly and cause serious damage. If you notice brown grass patches or other strange patterns in your lawn, a disease may be the culprit. Some common lawn diseases include:

• Fungal infections: Often caused by too much moisture or poor air circulation.
• Leaf spot disease: Creates spots or dead patches of grass, which can spread rapidly.

To prevent lawn diseases, ensure your grass has adequate airflow, sunlight, and proper watering. Mowing your grass to the right height with a high-quality lawn mower can also help prevent disease spread and keep your grass healthy.

Want to know more on how to fix a dying lawn? Talk to the Lilydale team 

A dying lawn can be saved with proper care and attention. From compacted soil to lack of water and even disease, many factors can contribute to your grass's decline.

If you’re struggling with a brown lawn that is beyond repair, it might be time to invest in new turf. At Lilydale Instant Lawn, we stock turf varieties that are perfect for the Australian climate. Contact us today for more information.