Why is My Lawn Brown?

The current summer time conditions of high temperature, moisture deficit and high humidity has stressed Kentucky bluegrass turf.  Brown areas that do not respond to adding water maybe due to dollar spot, bluegrass billbug, or moisture stress.  If you are facing areas of small brown spots, check for lesions on the leaf blade.  If a lesion is present that is bleached out in the center, restricted with brown borders the likelihood is the cause is the disease dollar spot.

 If no lesions are present, then tug on the brown turf.  If the leaves are easily detached from the base or crown of the plant, look at the base of the leaves for fras.   If the leaves are easily detached and fras is present (but not a requirement) the likelihood that the cause of the brown turf is billbug.   

If no lesions are present and the leaves remain attached to the crown, the likelihood is the Kentucky bluegrass turf is dormant and when cooler temperatures arrive with adequate moisture, the turf should green up.  If the turf does not green-up with the arrival of adequate moisture or rainfall re-check for dollar spot and billbugs.   

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