If You See Any of These 8 Signs in Your Lawn, Your Grass May Not Last Much Longer

With so many components of a backyard, it’s sometimes easy to overlook your grass. While it’s true that some signs that your lawn is unhealthy are more obvious (hello, brown patches), some aren’t as noticeable.

“A healthy lawn requires the right balance of what I call a SWAP (soil health, watering schedule, aeration and pest management) program,” says landscape expert Greg Cuoco. “An unhealthy or stressed lawn is likely due to a problem in one of these areas.”

If you’ve noticed something different in how your lawn is looking or feeling, there’s a good chance it might need extra support. Here are eight signs to look out for and solutions for managing each issue.

Patchy Brown and Yellow Spots

One of the most obvious signs of an unhealthy lawn is the appearance of patchy spots in various colors.

To begin care, Cuoco says to rake these areas, then aerate and reseed them. You can also add topsoil to support their growth. However, if this doesn’t work, it could mean there’s a different problem under the surface,

“If the patchy spots are irregular in shape or size, this could mean it’s a pest problem and insecticide is needed,” he says. “If it’s easy to lift up a brown patch, it’s a telltale sign of grub infestation at the roots, which is treated with insecticide.”

If you notice a pattern to the patches, a fungi could be causing trouble, in which case fungicides, baking soda, or neem oil are useful, he adds.

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Too Much Thatch

Thatch is a normal part of your lawn and is a mixture of organic matter. However, too much of it can cause trouble.

“A small amount is healthy compost, but more than 1/2 inch of thatch will rob your soil and roots of needed nutrients and water,” says Cuoco.

To keep it at the right level, you’ll want to learn how to dethatch your lawn, usually about once a year. Cuoco also recommends raking, fertilizing, mowing, watering regularly, and aerating.

Spongy Texture

Lawn expert Dan Deins notes that if areas of your lawn that look particularly spongy or matted down, this is probably an indication that something is wrong.

“If you walk across the yard and see footprints linger, or notice weeds taking over in certain spots, that’s an alarm bell, too,” he says.

This is often caused by a build up of thatch or by overwatering. To prevent it, dethatch and aerate. For spongy lawns due to watering, set a consistent watering schedule and install a drain if necessary to prevent a soggy lawn from ruining your backyard.

Weeds Everywhere

A few weeds here and there is really no big deal, but when they start appearing all over your lawn, issues arise. Cuoco notes that weeds can steal the nutrients, water, and sunlight your grass needs to stay healthy.

The best solution depends on the type of lawn weeds that have invaded—for instance, dandelions hint at compacted soil (for which Cuoco says aeration is necessary).

For removing any type of weed, it’s best to tackle both the plant itself and the root system. If weeds continue to crop up, it might be time to consider herbicides to get rid of them for good.

Thin Grass or Bare Patches

Nothing is more frustrating than putting effort into growing a lush lawn, only to find thin patches of grass growing and various bare patches. Luckily, it’s not impossible to fix.

“Get a soil test to learn soil pH and identify nutrient deficiencies, and then add the appropriate fertilizer or compost,” says Cuoco. “Aerate the grass and be sure to follow the recommended mowing schedule for your grass type.”

Watering your lawn is also a key point to adjust. Rather than a few short showers throughout the week, he suggests a longer soaking, giving your lawn around 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week. All of this should help grass grow thicker and more consistently.

Wilting and Brittle Grass

Even if you think your watering schedule is top-notch, Cuoco points out it might not be working for your lawn. This leads to grass that’s wilting or looks brittle.

“Set a watering schedule based on your soil type, grass type, climate, and time of year (i.e., more frequent watering in spring and summer, less hydration in fall and winter),” he says.

He also recommends watering at the right time. This is usually between 4a.m. and 10a.m., especially during hotter months. Watering any later than this doesn’t give your lawn a chance to absorb the moisture, as it’ll quickly evaporate, leading to a lot of waste. The same can be said if you have a sprinkler system.

“A good starting point is to check the lawn’s watering routine and make sure the sprinklers aren’t missing spots or overdoing it,” says Deins. “I’ll often pull up a small section of sod to check root health and see what’s really going on under the surface.”

Grubs or Holes

Holes all throughout your lawn are an obvious sign that something is amiss.

“It could mean the soil isn’t draining right or there’s heavy thatch,” Deins says. “You might also notice ants or other insects setting up shop, which sometimes points to underlying issues like root rot or too much moisture.”

He also says that a change in color (such as a gray haze) or a mushy texture can point to grubs and other pests. These usually attack from down below, making them harder to catch.

“I recommend going with organic treatments like beneficial nematodes for grubs, or compost tea for soil health,” he says. “I’ve found that adjusting mowing height and changing up your mowing pattern can help the grass bounce back, too.”

Short Roots

If your lawn is lacking height, it might mean it’s not getting enough water or nutrients. A shorter height then leads to other risks, especially when it’s hot out.

“Shorter roots make grass more sensitive to drought and high temperatures,” says Cuoco.

To keep the length healthy, try to avoid over-mowing in the summer and keep on top of a consistent watering schedule. As mentioned, avoid watering in the afternoon.

Lawn Care Tips to Try Year-Round

• Mow less during the summer. Maintain the length of your lawn in the summer to keep it healthy.
• Use the screwdriver test. Cuoco says if you can insert a screwdriver 4–6 inches into your lawn easily, your soil is well aerated. If not, it’s likely compacted.
• Rotate your routine. Deins says to switch up your mowing pattern and length and alternate organic treatments to keep it resilient.
• Remove fallen leaves. Cuoco says to clear leaves in the fall before they get wet or freeze over. “Ideally, rake dry leaves as dew, rainfall, and light snow wreak havoc on leaf piles, creating a suffocating blanket over your lawn that attracts all sorts of pests and disease,” he says.
• Overseed your lawn in the fall. Cuoco says growing conditions are better, and the spring season will bring healthier grass.
• Reduce mowing in winter. Your lawn will go dormant, so it’s best to limit how often you mow.