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Lawn issues brown spots (Dead grass appearing) #831720

Asked May 23, 2023, 9:03 PM EDT

I put down a pre-emergent early May as I always do. My grass was thriving. I've only watered once (Monday 4:00 AM). We've had some rain, but not a lot. We noticed that in 1 area of our lawn, the grass appears to be dying. Its like a 24" x 24" patch. I'm now noticing more in the same area where patches like this are popping up and the grass appears to be dying. I'm in a little panic here as I don't all of a sudden want this to be my entire lawn. I aerate in the fall. Dethach in the spring. I currently mow my lawn at 4" but thinking of dropping it to 3-1/2". What could be happening here? When I walk on my lawn it feels lumpy everywhere. Not sure if this is just the feeling from aerating last fall? I do have a dog so I'm familiar with dog spots (like the ones next to my downspout extender).These are not dog spots. I have sent some pictures. Its a bright green healthy grass with the dying spots appearing golden brown. Any ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Is this a grub issue? Or a fungus issue? Like those areas in my lawn, I'm a little stressed over it. :-)

Wright County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Evening Brian, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

You indicated that you have a dog. My initial reaction was dead spots from dog urine that carried over from the winter.  But there are lots of things to consider. Please click on this link from the U of M Extension Yard and Garden website about dead patches in the turf to determine what it could be: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/turf/circular.html

Please scroll through this information to evaluate if one of these is the culprit. 

We've had many questions about grub damage in the turf grass this spring. Did you lift the turf on any of the spots to inspect what is going on in the soil? Have you found any grubs? Here is another link about grubs and control: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-news/white-grubs-return-snow-recedes

Have you had Japanese beetles in your yard n the past years? Here is a link about their grubs and control: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/japanese-beetles

I am hoping one of these should give you some guidance on what is happening to your turf.

Lastly, here is the link to What's wrong with my plant? turfgrass: https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/turf/

Good Luck!

Maureen Graber Replied May 23, 2023, 9:27 PM EDT

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