If you’ve noticed brown spots in your lawn this summer, you’re not alone. Hot temperatures and extended periods of dry weather can put significant stress on Michigan lawns, causing areas of otherwise healthy grass to turn brown, thin out, or appear dead.
One of the most common questions we hear during hot, dry weather is:
“Why is my grass turning brown even though I’m watering?”
The answer may be simpler than you think. In many cases, those brown areas are caused by heat and drought stress, and the grass may be dormant rather than dead.
Why Does Grass Turn Brown During Hot, Dry Weather?
Cool-season grasses commonly found in Michigan lawns are accustomed to moderate temperatures and consistent moisture. When temperatures rise and rainfall becomes limited, your lawn can lose moisture faster than it can replace it.
As soil moisture decreases, grass may begin to slow its growth and eventually turn brown. This is a natural survival response called summer dormancy.
Dormancy allows the plant to conserve energy and moisture until growing conditions improve.
The important thing to remember is:
Brown grass isn’t always dead grass.
A drought-stressed lawn may look unhealthy above ground while the crown and root system remain alive. Once adequate moisture returns and temperatures become more favorable, the turf may begin greening up again.
Why Do I Have Brown Spots Instead of an Entire Brown Lawn?
Drought stress isn’t always uniform.
Some areas of your lawn naturally dry out faster than others due to differences in soil, sunlight, irrigation coverage, and surrounding surfaces.
You may notice brown or dormant turf:
- Along driveways and sidewalks
- Near curbs and other concrete surfaces
- On slopes or elevated areas
- In areas receiving full afternoon sun
- Where soil is compacted or shallow
- In areas with poor sprinkler coverage
Concrete and pavement can make the problem especially noticeable. These surfaces absorb heat throughout the day and radiate it into nearby turf, increasing moisture loss.
That’s why grass immediately alongside a driveway or sidewalk may turn brown while turf only several feet away remains green.
Can My Lawn Still Develop Dry Spots If I Have a Sprinkler System?
Yes.
Having an irrigation system doesn’t necessarily mean every part of your lawn receives the same amount of water.
Sprinkler heads can become misaligned, obstructed, damaged, or improperly adjusted. Wind can also affect sprinkler coverage, while certain areas of the lawn may simply require more moisture because of sun exposure, soil conditions, or nearby pavement.
During extended periods of hot, dry weather, irrigation systems may also struggle to replace moisture as quickly as the lawn and soil are losing it.
If you’re seeing isolated brown areas, checking sprinkler coverage is a good place to start.
How Can I Tell If Brown Grass Is Dormant or Dead?
Before assuming your lawn needs to be repaired or replaced, take a closer look.
1. Check the Soil Moisture
Push a screwdriver several inches into the soil in both a healthy green area and the affected brown area.
If it’s noticeably more difficult to push into the brown area, dry or compacted soil may be contributing to the problem.
2. Check Your Sprinkler Coverage
Run your irrigation system and watch the affected area.
Is water actually reaching it?
A sprinkler head that’s only slightly out of adjustment can leave a surprisingly large section of turf without adequate moisture.
3. Gently Pull on the Turf
Give the brown turf a gentle tug.
If the grass remains firmly rooted, drought or heat stress may be the culprit.
If sections of turf pull up unusually easily, further investigation may be needed. Certain turf-damaging insects, including grubs, can damage the root system and cause grass to loosen from the soil.
4. Look for Other Signs of Lawn Damage
Not every brown spot is caused by drought.
Keep an eye out for unusual insect activity, animals digging or feeding in the lawn, rapidly expanding patches, unusual discoloration, or other changes that could indicate an insect or disease problem.
How Should You Water a Lawn During a Michigan Drought?
When watering established turf, the goal is generally to encourage moisture to move deeper into the soil rather than repeatedly wetting only the surface.
Deep, thorough watering is typically more beneficial than frequent, very light watering.
Early morning is usually the best time to irrigate because temperatures are cooler and less water is lost to evaporation.
Pay extra attention to areas that dry out quickly, particularly turf bordering sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces.
Always follow any local watering restrictions that may be in effect.
Will Brown Grass Turn Green Again?
If the grass is dormant rather than dead, there’s a good chance you’ll see improvement when cooler temperatures and adequate moisture return.
Recovery won’t necessarily happen overnight. How quickly a lawn rebounds depends on the severity and duration of the drought, turf species, soil conditions, irrigation, and the overall health of the lawn before the stressful weather began.
Some severely damaged areas may eventually require overseeding or additional repair, but don’t assume a brown lawn is dead simply because it has lost its color.
Brown Spots in Your Michigan Lawn? We Can Help.
Michigan weather can be tough on lawns, and brown spots can have several different causes. Drought stress, uneven irrigation, insects, disease, soil conditions, and other factors can sometimes produce similar symptoms.
If you’re concerned about brown or thinning areas in your lawn, contact our team. We can help evaluate what’s happening and determine whether your turf needs additional water, time to recover, or another solution.
Have questions about your lawn? Contact us today and let us help you keep your Michigan lawn healthy.