Why Are the Tips of Your Grass Turning Brown?

Not only are brown grass tips unsightly, but they’re also a clear indication that your grass is unhealthy. If your grass turns brown, it’ll take a lot of effort to return it to its vibrant green condition. Many different issues can cause the grass to change colors, all of which we’ll discuss today.

The tips of your grass are turning brown because the soil is acidic, it’s the wrong type of grass for the climate, there’s too much nitrogen, or the grass is too hot. Direct sunlight can dry the grass and turn the tips a yellowish brown color. Avoid acidic fertilizers that can damage the grass.

Throughout this article, we’ll discuss why your grass has brown tips, how you can stop it from happening, and whether or not you can make the lawn green again. We’ll also talk about why your grass looks dry and brown, even if you’re watering it enough.

What Causes Brown Tips on Grass?

Brown tips on the grass of your lawn are caused by excessive dryness, low-pH soil, overwatering, and many other issues. If your grass looks brown or yellow, it’s important to adjust the soil and ensure there’s enough drainage.

Here’s what leads to brown tips on grass:

• Direct sunlight can turn the grass brown or yellow. Most grasses aren’t able to withstand anything warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius). If you live in an area that frequently gets extremely hot or cold, you might want to think about changing your grass type.
• Popular Mechanics explains acidic fertilizer can make your grass look dry and brown. Most fertilizers are quite acidic due to the nitrogen content. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but the companies pack too much of it in the fertilizer.
• Parking on the lawn can damage the soil’s pH and composition. Cars drip oil and air condition fluid, causing the grass to turn brown or yellow. These fluids can damage and shrink the roots. It’s best to avoid parking on the grass, especially since it reduces the oxygen getting to the soil.
• Lack of adequate watering, nutrient-dense soil, and oxygen can affect the lawn’s color. Grass needs adequate sunlight, nutrition, water, and oxygen to grow. Without any of these components, the grass won’t thrive. It’ll turn brown or yellow, then slowly get patchy.
• Heavy winds can dry the grass tips, making it look brown or yellow. Wind can damage your lawn if it’s consistant enough. One or two windy days won’t make a big difference, but several weeks of wind can take a toll on the grass.

As you can see, there are many explanations for why your grass looks brown at the tips. Dryness, pH, and heat are the most common causes. However, there are many other reasons. If you want to stop your grass from looking worn and brown, try some of the suggestions found below.

How Do You Stop Grass From Turning Brown?

To stop the grass from turning brown:

1. Stop using acidic fertilizer. We’ve detailed why fertilizer can burn your lawn and what you can do about it. There are some types of fertilizer that don’t alter the soil’s pH too much. We suggest only using fertilizer when you’re using grass seed or filling patchy spots in the grass.
2. Add lime to the soil after checking the pH (source: Beyond Pesticides). The Trazon Soil pH Meter lets you monitor your grass’s soil, moisture, and light. These three factors are crucial for growing healthy, vibrant grass. Simply stick the meter into the soil to check its composition.
3. Check if the soil is too dense. Dense, chalky, clumped soil makes it difficult for the roots to grow. If your grass can’t spread its roots, it’ll start to look brown, yellow, and dull. It might even turn into a patchy lawn since the roots can’t absorb the water from the surface.
4. Consider adding a sprinkler system or watering schedule. Watering schedules are essential for most lawns, especially if they get hot frequently. Sprinklers are quite useful. However you plan it, we highly suggest sticking to a routine that your lawn can rely on.

There are many different kinds of grass. If you have the wrong type of grass in your lawn, it might not be able to withstand the heat of summer. Check my helpful guide of grass types to know if your lawn has what it takes to make it through the climate.

Can Brown Grass Turn Green Again?

Brown grass can turn green again if you monitor and adjust its pH, add water regularly, and prevent it from getting too hot. Choosing the right type of grass for your yard can make a huge improvement, too. If you follow a routine schedule, it’ll only take about three to eight weeks before you grass is green again.

Using Down to Earth Organic Prilled Dolomite Lime on your lawn can increase the pH. Acidic soil is your lawn’s enemy. This lime box has 10 pounds of pH raising solution, which is enough to treat a 100 square foot lawn. Multiply your lawn’s length and width to know how much lime you’ll need.

However, patience is key. You won’t notice a difference over night. Your lawn might even stay brown after you water it for several weeks. If this happens, there are a few things you can do.

Why Is Your Grass Brown Even After Watering?

Your grass is brown even after watering because the soil’s pH is acidic or the grass is too hot. Adding enough water will prevent long-term root damage, but it won’t help the pH too much. Make sure you test the soil monthly to prevent it from getting too acidic.

Much like hedges that turn brown, your lawn can get too dry from the sunlight. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do other than mow, water, and maintain it. Sticking to the schedule of trimming and watering and adjust the pH will ensure your lawn looks green when the heat settles down.