Although lawn sod is green when you newly install it, the product may end up with brown patches over time, so how can you restore it to its lush green state? Here are four reasons brown patches can happen and some tips regarding how to fix them.

4 Causes for Brown Patches in Lawn Sod 

1. Problems With the Soil 

After the lawn sod is installed, it needs to absorb nutrients from the soil beneath it. However, the soil sometimes forms air pockets between itself and the sod so that the sod can’t reach it, inhibiting its access to nutrients. Pull away the sod to replenish the area beneath with more soil. If the soil is too compacted to allow the sod to draw any moisture, use a manual aeration tool from a hardware store to poke holes in the exposed ground. 

2. Fungal Disease 

If the brown spots start appearing and spread no matter how much you water the sod, it probably has a fungal disease from a few days of high humidity. Grass curling and yellowing around the edges is another warning sign. To fix or prevent this problem, water the grass early in the morning so it can dry during the day, and apply fungicide every three to four weeks. During fall or cooler weather, sprinkle grass seed on bare sections of the turf to restore it. 

3. Fertilizer Treatment 

Lawn sod is shallow, so if you pour too much fertilizer on it, the material won’t absorb the necessary nutrients. As a result, the nitrogen from the fertilizer will burn the grass. To resolve this issue, thin the nitrogen by watering the brown patches more, and only fertilize the sod one or two months after its installation. 

4. Dehydration 

Newly installed sod grass is still establishing roots in the soil, so it needs more water until it’s strong enough to absorb it alone, which takes about a month. Water it three to five times every day for two weeks after installation, and afterward, decrease the amount to once every morning. 

If your lawn sod has brown patches and this advice isn’t working, get fresh material at Arkansas Sod & Turf Farm in North Little Rock, AR. As a seasoned sod company with more than 40 years in the business, they’ll guide you in making the best choice for your property. To find out more about their quality products, give them a call at (501) 753-5377, or explore their website for further information.