7 Reasons Your Dallas Lawn Turns Brown in Summer (And What to Do)

1. Heat Stress and Drought Conditions

   Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is a major cause of summer lawn discoloration Dallas homeowners experience. Dallas summers regularly have high temperatures beyond what many lawns can comfortably cope with. When grass receives extended heat plus with little moisture, it begins saving resources, leading to browning.

   Signs of browning include the following:
   

   • Dry, crispy grass texture
   • Footprints remaining visible after walking
   • Large brown patches spreading quickly

   Solution

   • Water deeply rather than frequently
   • Irrigate lawn in the early mornings when temperatures are down
   • Increase watering duration in extreme heat periods
   • Minimize unnecessary foot traffic

   Due to the intense heat that comes with it, proper irrigation is still one of the most important aspects of summer lawn care Dallas.

2. Grass Going Into Dormancy

   Sometimes brown grass doesn’t mean the lawn is dying. Far from it.

   Many Dallas lawn owners erroneously think that dormant grass Dallas Summer means the lawn is dying but this isn’t always the case. In fact, when grass is turning brown sometimes, it’s actually protecting itself.

   Grass dormancy is a natural response of grass where it slows down growth dramatically to save moisture and survive intense heat.

   Some examples include:
   

   • Bermuda grass
   • Certain drought-sensitive grass varieties

   Dormant grass typically behaves like these:
   

   • Looks brown but remains alive
   • Recovers after weather conditions improve
   • Doesn’t need much mowing to stay trim

   Solution:
   

   • Do not overwater dormant grass
   • Continue light maintenance
   • Prevent heavy traffic

3. Browning of Some Species like St. Augustine Grass

   Many Texas lawns prefer to seed St. Augustine grass because of how it looks, performs and its shade-tolerant ability.

   Causes include the following:

   • Excessive sun exposure
   • Insect infestations
   • Poor watering
   • Nutrient deficiencies

   Solution:

   • Increase the mowing height
   • Check for invading pests
   • Apply fertilizer only if needed
   • Improve irrigation consistency

   When the lawn is cut properly during Dallas Texas lawn mowing, the effect of heat stress reduces significantly.

4. Lawn Fungus Infestation

   Brown patches sometimes mean there’s a disease outbreak on the horizon, not a drought.

   Lawn fungus in Summer is quite a common occurrence. It appears when the lawn experiences:

   • Overwatering
   • High humidity
   • Poor airflow
   • Excess nitrogen

   Common symptoms are:

   • Circular dead patches
   • Yellow borders circling brown areas
   • Rapid spreading after rainfall

   Solution:
   

   • Don’t water often
   • Improve drainage
   • Avoid watering at night
   • Apply fungicide when necessary

5. Poor Mowing Practices

   Cutting grass too low causes the root systems to weaken leading to increased water loss. This can be combated by implementing proper lawn mowing in Dallas, TX practices like:

   • Never cutting off more than one-third of blade height
   • Keeping mower blades clean and sharp
   • Raising cutting height in summer to mow higher

   Regular Dallas lawn mowing services often adjust mowing heights seasonally to reduce stress on the lawn.

6. Changes in Grass Type Color

   Different grasses react differently to summer heat which reflects in their color.

   For example:

   • For Zoysia grass, summer color change often manifests as slight yellowing before it recovers
   • For Bermuda grass, summer dormancy in Dallas may happen during extreme heat
   • For St. Augustine, it may show patchy browning

   Being able to tell the difference between natural color changes and actual damage stops unnecessary treatments which means less expenses.

7. Poor Maintenance and Inconsistent Care

   Lawn health depends heavily on consistent care to get it right. Neglecting lawn maintenance often causes worsening discoloration.

   Important summer lawn maintenance tips Dallas homeowners need to adhere to include:

   • Water consistently
   • Fertilize correctly
   • Control weeds
   • Monitor pests
   • Adjust mowing practices

When Should You Go for Professional Help?

If discoloration progresses despite proper watering and maintenance being carried out, seek professional lawn intervention at this point.

A reliable Dallas lawn care service can help detect:

For homeowners looking for routine maintenance and mowing assistance, lawn care companies like GOMOW Lawn Care Service provide maintenance solutions that reduce recurring lawn problems.

Frequently Asked Questions