What is turning our lawn brown in late July?
In the spring/early summer the lawns surrounding our building had never looked better. Over the past several weeks, large areas of lawn are dying throughout the premises. We know the irrigation system is working for 20 or 30 minutes per night.
Answer
Many lawns in our area experiencing swaths of brown grass due to this extraordinarily dry summer.
There are lots of different problems that can cause grass to die in patches, but the broad swaths of brown grass are probably related to the recent summer heat and dryness. An irrigation routine that goes off 20 to 30 minutes every night can work well until we get this type of weather, when even the nights are hot.
The grass can only make use of the water for photosynthesis when the sun is also out. If it receives water during a very warm night, most of the moisture can evaporate before the grass has a chance to employ it. An early morning watering routine works best so that the grass has all day to use the water supply for photosynthesis and thrive.
It is also the case that a routine of giving water for relatively brief periods, daily, creates a less resilient lawn. Longer periods of soaking, less frequently, from the beginning of the season develops a lawn that has longer root systems and is able to withstand dry periods better.
Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service
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