No homeowner wants to see dead, brown grass on their Florida property. Here are the top five reasons for dead grass in The Sunshine State and the steps you can take to save your lawn.
Are you dealing with dead grass on your Florida property? Few things are as disheartening as seeing your once lush and green lawn turn into a crispy, brown carpet. Florida lawns are susceptible to specific diseases and conditions that can take a toll on your lawn’s appearance. If this is your current reality, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do to save your lawn and bring it back to a state of health and beauty.
Let’s take a closer look at the top five reasons why grass dies in The Sunshine State and what you can do to help your lawn recover.
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#1: Too Much Shade
Depending on the grass species in your lawn, it may not be getting enough sunlight to thrive. Even grasses that are shade-tolerant require between five and six hours of sunlight daily to achieve optimal health and appearance. If you have several large shade trees on your property, or your home’s structure is providing too much shade in certain parts of your yard, your lawn may suffer.
Shady lawns often require special mowing, irrigation, and fertilization techniques to stay healthy. A professional lawn service can help you come up with the best plan of action to bring your lawn back to life.
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#2: Improper Mowing Practices
Many homeowners do not give a lot of thought to the importance of proper mowing practices. However, knowing the right process and frequency for mowing is crucial to keeping your lawn as healthy and attractive as possible, especially if you are struggling with dying grass. The process of mowing removes new grass growth, injuring each grass blade. The sharper the mower blade, the cleaner the cut, which means it can heal sooner. If you are using a dull mower blade, you may be damaging the blades of grass significantly.
Other common mowing error are mowing too low, too often, or not often enough. The right frequency and grass height for mowing depend on the grass species on your property. However, best practices are to remove a third of the lawn's height during each mowing session. If you aren't sure how often you should mow, you may want to consider hiring a professional lawn mowing company.
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#3: Too Much or Too Little Water
The right irrigation is essential to your Florida lawn. In this area, it's common to go from periods of heavy rainfall to extended droughts. Most grass species require a sprinkler system to prevent damage and death during times of drought. Still, too much water can also lead to grass diseases. It's a fine balance, which is important to achieve if your grass is unhealthy. New lawns are especially at risk for failure without careful water management.
Professionals will help you identify the right amount of water, including sprinkler calibration, to get your irrigation practice just right for your unique property.
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#4: A Weedy Situation
Weeds and unwanted vegetation are a pain to homeowners who want to have an attractive lawn. They tend to suck the life out of your grass and may be causing your dry, brittle lawn issue. Depending on your grass species and the type of weeds in your yard, you may require an herbicide application.
If you notice vegetation that does not match the blades of grass, it’s likely you have a weed problem. Certain weeds can be a result of too much water. Addressing a weed issue right away will help you to salvage your lawn.
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#5: Lawn Diseases
Florida is home to several different grass diseases that can negatively impact the appearance and health of your lawn. Some of the most common diseases include:
- Large patch, also known as brown patch or Rhizoctonia blight: This fungal disease looks like discolored, round patches that grow over time. The patch borders sometimes look orange, while the center of the patch is typically sunken and brown.
- Rust: Signs of rust disease are grass blades with yellow flecks; this disease is prevalent in lawns with low light and low nitrogen soil.
- Take-all root rot: This fungus is naturally-occurring on most grass roots, but it can become problematic and overgrow during prolonged rainfall. Because it starts at the root, you can't always see it. Once the fungus progresses and begins causing the grass to die, it will have light green or yellowish patches.
Lawn service experts will be able to identify a lawn disease and help you come up with the right treatment plan to help it heal. Diseased lawns require a higher level of care and maintenance to return to a healthy state.
What’s the Solution to Your Lawn’s Dying Grass?
You may be frustrated by lawn grasses that appear to be dying, but all hope is not lost. With the right treatment, watering and mowing practices, and tree service, you can give your lawn the care and attention it needs to recover. It may feel overwhelming to figure out the next best steps to help your lawn, but the experts at Thornley’s Affordable Home Services are here to help.
Our team of experts knows proper lawn maintenance is the most important thing you can do to prevent grass death and to bring your lawn back to life. We sharpen our mower blades daily to give your lawn the cleanest trim to promote optimal health. Plus, we mow your lawn at the appropriate height depending on your grass species. You can count on our team to use professional equipment and follow the best practices to give your lawn the care it deserves.
Turn to Our Tree Service Experts at Thornley’s Affordable Home Services
Since 2013, we’ve been meeting Tampa Bay Area homeowners’ lawn care needs. We care about making your lawn as healthy and beautiful as possible while keeping our prices budget-friendly. We offer a superior level of customer service and lawn expertise to bring you peace of mind and cost-effective services that ensure your lawn thrives all year long.
Contact Thornley’s Affordable Home Services today to schedule professional lawn care service. We’ll have your grass looking beautiful again in no time.