Brown patches, soggy spots, and thin grass: where to start

Check the soil, not just the color

Feel the soil in the brown area and compare it with a healthy patch. On new sod, lift an edge and check contact and moisture under the roll. Dry soil, saturated soil, and loose sod can all look brown, and they do not get the same fix.

Look for a pattern

• Dry corners or strips: check sprinkler coverage before raising the whole zone.
• Wet low spots: note how long water sits after rain and where the downspouts land.
• Thin grass under trees: watch the sun through the day before assuming the grass is diseased.
• Damage on mower turns or paths: look at height, traffic, and compaction.
• Spreading spots with no watering explanation: get a diagnosis before applying a fungicide or insecticide.

Dormant is not the same as dead

Bermuda, Zoysia, and centipede lose color in winter. Heat can also brown a lawn without killing it. Do not fertilize a brown patch to force it green until you know the grass and the cause.