Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil
If you’ve spent enough time in your yard, you’ll know that at some point it will experience unwanted brown, yellow or blank patches. And while it isn’t always preventable, it’s always good to know why your lawn has bald spots and how to fix them.
In this article, we take a look at the different things that can cause green grass to change in color, stop growing or die.
Hopefully, it will help you diagnose any problems may be happening with your lawn, so you can quickly fix it.
After all, nobody likes an ugly lawn especially if you spend some time taking care of it.
Reasons for Bald Patches on Your Lawn
Pet or Animal Urine
Besides being unsightly, there are other reasons why you may not like your neighbor’s dog or other wild animals peeing or pooping in your lawn.
The reason is nitrogen.
Urine and other waste products contain high amounts of nitrogen. In addition to the nitrogen already present in fertilizer it results in over-fertilization.
What happens is that you end up with brown, bald patches that are surrounded by lush green grass. The area that experiences too much nitrogen experiences what’s called ‘fertilizer burn’. This causes the bald spot.
In contrast, the surrounding areas where the bald patches end are the sites that get the optimal amounts of nitrogen, which makes them look greener that some of the other parts of your lawn.
Objects Left on the Grass
Objects that cover any section of your lawn prevents it from getting nourishment. This can be a pot, small container or even a tile. Leaves that are left over the winter can also harm your grass.
When covered, the patches of grass aren’t able to receive sunlight, water or fertilizer. This prevents them from getting the nourishment they need to grow.
So, it’s important to remove unwanted objects on the grass. This includes fallen leaves and dead grass. Raking or sweeping them off the lawn helps your grass grow optimally.
Grubs, Pests and Bug Infestations
Bugs, pests and other small creatures can wreak havoc on your lawn. These critters are hard to detect because they stay under the turf. But, once your notice a little damage, it’s important to get into action to prevent them from doing more harm.
The amount of infestation can be small which results in small patches. But they can also grow resulting into larger dead patches.
These small creatures attach the roots of your grass. This causes your plants not only to stop growing but also result in irregular bald patches that will keep growing.
Dry Seasons
Plants need to be watered regularly to grow. So, during the dry seasons areas of your lawn which experience water shortage can result in bald spots.
For the most part, dry season comes in two forms. One during the dry cold months when there’s little snow or rain. And, another is during the hot summers when temperatures go up and it doesn’t rain much.
In each of the cases, you’ll need to supplement moisture by consistently watering your plants whenever you notice that they weather isn’t cooperating.
Grass Diseases
Grass is susceptible to different kinds of diseases. They can get fungal infections, snow mold, mildew and rust. All of which can negatively affect their lushness, color and thickness.
Lawn infections and diseases often results in dead spots where grass won’t grow anymore. In other situations, they can also result in browning or yellowish color as well as thinning in certain areas of your lawn.
Gasoline or Other Spilled Chemicals
Harsh chemicals spilled on the lawn also affect the grass. While this isn’t always the case, chemicals with high concentration can do a lot of damage even in small amounts.
When you spill them in your lawn, things like gasoline, herbicides and other chemicals can produce dead spots that prevent grass from growing.
If you happen to spill some while moving them across your lawn be sure to quickly water the areas to dilute the chemicals distribute them. This makes them less potent. Water also helps wash them away into the gutters.
De-icing or Salt Burn
Salt burn often occurs as a result of de-icing during the winter time. Scattering too much salt can cause dead spots in certain areas of your lawn.
You’ll typically find these areas near walkways or paths where you dump the salt to de-ice the surface. They’ll be quite obvious once the rest of the lawn grows green during the spring and straight lines of grass don’t along your driveway, streets or pathways.
Damages from Mowing Incorrectly
While mowing is typically a good thing, incorrectly mowing the lawn can also damage it. One of the most common culprits of mowing damage is using dull blades.
Unlike sharp mower blades, dull blades tend to pull grass out forcefully rather than slice through the blades of grass. This causes damage to the surface and surrounding area.
Similarly, setting your lawn mower’s deck too low can also harm your yard.
Using Too Much Fertilizer
Fertilizer is made from chemicals which when overused can kill your grass. The main culprit for this is nitrogen, which needs to be used moderately.
The right amount of nitrogen helps your grass grow thick, green and lush. But, using too much or spilling a good amount of it in one area also causes that area to die. As a result, your garden will have bald patches.
Like chemicals, if you accidentally put too much fertilizer or spill it in your lawn, quickly water it down with the garden hose to limit the damage.
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