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Are You Noticing Brown Patches of Dying Grass? There Could Be a Serious Problem Behind It

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Published July 6 2025, 10:46 a.m. ET

(L) Brown patch fungus and dead grass, (R) Man trimming the grass in a garden (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Robin Gentry, (R) Zoff Photos)

(L) Brown patch fungus and dead grass, (R) Man trimming the grass in a garden (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Robin Gentry, (R) Zoff Photos)

Lately, many gardeners have been reporting that their grass seems to turn dry and brownish, as if the garden’s dying. In February this year, a gardener called u/Aromatic-Discount384 shared distressing pictures of their garden, where a brownish, hourglass-shaped gash had scarred their green grassy ground. Fellow gardeners cooked up bizarre scenarios, saying that the brown grub was a UFO landing or a patch where a cat peed. Some said it was the territory constructed by an army of worms. But lawn care expert Lee Butler told Southern Living magazine that all the other possibilities could be just as true.

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Source: Representative Image Source: Getty Images | NYCShooter

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The grass, which appears to be dying, could indicate any of the possibilities highlighted by the Reddit users. From brown patch fungus, which is a common turf issue in the South, to insects like grubs and chinch bugs, poor lawn care practices, pet urine, and environmental conditions like excess heat or drought can also contribute to the browning of grass, the magazine described.

Mowing, according to experts, might sound like a common gardening practice that doesn’t require any training. But according to MetroGreenScape, not all mowing is the same. Not all areas of the garden are the same, and so, each area requires a different mowing technique. Sometimes, extremely sharp blades can bruise and hurt the soft, delicate grass, which can invite diseases like fungus. In contrast, if the blade of the lawnmower is too blunt, it will not be able to cut the grass properly, leading to its death.

Nitrogen is vital for grasses and plants. When added in balanced proportions, nitrogen acts as a brilliant fertilizer that nourishes both the soil and the plant. But an excess of it can do more harm than good. The urine of pets like dogs and cats oozes with high amounts of nitrogen. When the urine spills in the garden, it can burn the grass, causing it to turn brownish, brittle, and dry. If this is something you’re dealing with, the solution is to rake up the dead grass and coat it with fresh topsoil, so new grasses can grow and heal the burned patch, according to MetroGreenScape.

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