Why does my yard have dead spots in spring?

For many, having a beautiful, lush lawn is a source of pride. You water it regularly. You trim it and ensure that it is cared for with the highest level of TLC. Yet, despite your best efforts, you still wind up with brown patches on your lawn. Why do you have these dead spots in your lawn in the spring you wonder?

The truth is that there are a few reasons why you may have issues with brown or dead spots. Each poses its own particular issue, but knowing the source of your frustration will help you to defeat these brown patches.

Pet and animal urine

The most common reason why you will have dead spots is related to pet and other type of animal urine. Your green grass is likely the spot where your own dog or cat will relieve themselves. You also have to worry about wild animals coming into your yard leaving their urine and other waste. This can include squirrels, gophers, raccoons, possums, and other furry critters.

The truth is that urine from animals is the most likely cause of your lawn having dead patches. It is the high concentration of nitrogen that causes the damage, and getting a fertilizer that decreases nitrogen levels will help to rejuvenate your lawn.

Grubs and pests

Animals are not the only concern. Grubs and other types of insects can cause significant damage to your lawn as well. Grubs, in particular, eat at the roots of your grass, giving the blades nothing to hold onto in the ground. This diminishes nutrient intake, leading to brown patches.

Chemical spills

You may also have an issue where you have spilled chemicals on your lawn. One of the most common types of problems is gasoline or oil that comes from your car or lawnmower. This will kill the turf, as the chemicals inside these products cause significant damage to the grass.

Be careful about using any types of chemicals around your lawn. Some of these can create long-lasting effects that can diminish the beauty of your lawn throughout the entire summer.

Fungus

One last problem we wanted to address is fungus. If you see that you are developing a white covering over areas of your lawn, this is likely a fungal disease killing your grass. While this is normally a temporary condition, it can ruin a beautiful look. You may need to get a fungicide to deal with this issue.