Brown spots in your lawn can be frustrating, especially when you’ve been mowing, watering, and fertilizing regularly. In Lock Haven, PA, these patches are often caused by a combination of heat stress, pests, disease, or improper watering. The good news is that most brown spots can be repaired with the right approach. Follow these steps to restore your lawn to a lush, healthy green.
Before fixing brown spots, it’s important to figure out what’s causing them:
Heat and drought stress: Brown patches appear during hot, dry periods
Pests: Grubs or insects may damage roots
Fungal diseases: Such as brown patch or dollar spot
Pet damage: Dog or cat urine can burn grass
Poor soil or compaction: Grass struggles to grow in compacted soil
Why it matters:
Fixing brown spots effectively depends on knowing the root cause. Treating the symptom without understanding the cause may only provide temporary results.
Deep water 1–1.5 inches per week, ideally in the early morning
Avoid frequent shallow watering, which encourages shallow roots
Adjust irrigation for brown spot areas
Why it matters:
Proper watering helps grass recover from stress and promotes strong root growth, making your lawn more resilient.
Apply a balanced or slow-release fertilizer suited for Pennsylvania lawns
Avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn grass and worsen brown patches
Focus on areas that appear thin or stressed
Why it matters:
The right nutrients help grass recover faster and maintain a consistent green color.
Inspect affected areas for grubs or other insects
Consider spot-treating with an appropriate insecticide if needed
For fungal issues, treat with a fungicide or adjust watering practices
Why it matters:
Pests and diseases can spread quickly if untreated, causing larger areas of brown grass.
Loosen soil in the affected area
Spread seed compatible with your existing grass
Keep the area moist until the seed germinates
Why it matters:
Overseeding fills in bare spots, helping your lawn recover faster and preventing weeds from taking over.
Avoid heavy foot traffic on damaged areas
Keep mowing at the recommended height
Maintain consistent care routines
Why it matters:
Limiting stress allows your grass to recover fully and reduces the likelihood of future brown spots.
Brown spots don’t have to ruin your lawn. SD Lawn Care provides expert lawn repair, fertilization, and pest management services in Lock Haven and surrounding areas. Contact us today to restore your lawn and keep it healthy all season long.