A lush green lawn is the goal for many homeowners, but grass can turn yellow even when it gets enough water. Experts cited by The Spruce say the real causes often lie elsewhere.
Lawn expert Susan McIntosh said brown or yellow grass does not always mean a lawn has died, and that with proper care it can recover once conditions improve.
Grass type matters
McIntosh said the first step is identifying the grass type. Cool-season varieties, including fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, often go dormant and lose their color in hot, dry weather to conserve moisture and energy. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia and Bahia grass typically thrive in summer but can still brown during severe drought or poor soil conditions.
McIntosh said discoloration can also stem from compacted soil in heavily used areas, thatch buildup, pests such as grub worms and chinch bugs, and watering mistakes. Lawn specialist Ron Henry added that disease can trigger brown patches, and advised mowing more often in summer without cutting too much grass at once, since improper mowing height or infrequent cutting can also cause yellowing.
How to prevent yellow and brown patches
Experts recommend watering deeply once or twice a week in the morning, providing about 2.5 centimeters of water per session, since light surface watering dries out quickly while overwatering can encourage disease. They also advise regularly removing thatch, aerating the soil and checking for fungal disease and pests.
McIntosh said grass that pulls up too easily from the ground can signal grub infestation, while expanding circular spots and a musty smell can indicate fungal damage. Henry recommended avoiding overly short mowing and using fertilizer higher in potassium, saying blends with 12% nitrogen and 24% potassium work well.
Other maintenance tips
McIntosh advised regularly sharpening mower blades to avoid damaging grass tips, and said clippings can be left on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil and retain moisture. She also cautioned against fertilizing during intense heat, especially for cool-season grasses, and recommended spot-treating weeds rather than applying herbicide across an entire lawn during weather stress. Mulching flower beds and areas around trees, she said, helps reduce competition for water and keeps root temperatures lower.
