A little lawn sense
What should I do when my lawn turns brown in summer?
Start by checking moisture, roots and the pattern of damage. Brown grass can be dormant, injured or dead; color alone does not tell you which.
Check before treating
Compare shaded and sunny areas and check soil moisture below the surface. Look for irrigation gaps, traffic or recent spills. Ask Extension about spreading patches or unusual symptoms.
Reduce stress
Keep the mower sharp and within the species range. Delay renovation and herbicides on stressed grass. Avoid extra summer nitrogen on cool-season turf.
Choose a water plan
Follow restrictions and local guidance. Repeatedly switching between severe drought and forced green-up is hard on a lawn. Repair dead patches in the correct establishment season.
Questions from the yard
Is brown grass always dead?
No. Some grass goes dormant during drought; roots and growing points determine recovery.
Should I put down grub killer?
Only after checking for damaging grub activity.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed October 2026. General US home-lawn guidance; local recommendations may differ.