We've all been there – those unsightly light green to brown patch on your otherwise lush green lawn that only seem to show up after mowing. It sounds like your are experiencing blade burn. But what exactly causes it, and more importantly, how can you correct it? Let's dive in.
What Causes Blade Burn?
Blade burn isn't some mysterious lawn curse; it's often a result of improper mowing techniques or environmental factors. Here's the rundown:
Irregular Surfaces: Mole activity and freeze cycles can create a bumpy, irregular soil surface. Then, when mowing, these contours cause your mower to bounce and gouge rather than glide smoothly. The result is an irregular mowing.
Mowing When Wet: Ever tried cutting wet paper? It's messy, right? The same goes for mowing wet grass. Wet conditions make it easier to damage grass blades, causing trauma that leads to browning.
Mowing Too Low: Cutting your grass too short weakens it, making it more susceptible to damage from heat and sun and leading to blade burn. Now, we aren't talking about maintaining it on a low cut but rather cutting too much of the leaf blade off.
Dull Blades: Blades that haven't been sharpened recently can tear the grass rather than cut it cleanly. Not only do dull blades expose grasses to stress and disease, but tearing rather than cutting leaves causes acute trauma, leading to the classic blade burn look.
Minimizing Blade Burn: The Bandages
Now that we know the culprits, here are a few simple and mostly free ideas to reduce those brown patches in your lawn:
Sharpen Blades: Make sure to sharpen your mower blades regularly. Sharp blades give a clean cut, reducing trauma to this weekly event.
Timing is Everything: Aim to mow when the grass is dry and temperatures are moderate. Early mornings or late afternoons are usually your best bet.
The Right Height: Adjust your mower to a height that removes only the top third of the grass blades. This promotes healthier growth and shades the soil, reducing moisture loss.
The Right Technique: Always mow with a steady pace, overlapping slightly with each pass. This ensures an even cut and minimizes stress on the grass.
Fertilize: While it won't stop blade burn from occurring, a 0.25 to 0.50 lb application of nitrogen will help affected patches grow out. Unfortunately, this will also cause you to need to mow again.
Eliminating Blade Burn: The Fixes
If you still have an unsightly cut, more advanced and comprehensive solutions may be called for:
Soil Test: A quality soil test can help identify underlying issues that may make your lawn susceptible to blade burn. Addressing these issues can minimize blade burn occurrences.
Lawn Leveling: Annual rolling will help to combat soil surface irregularities that may cause your mower to bounce or otherwise flex leading to an uneven cut. For severe issues, sand leveling may be necessary.
Why is my lawn getting brown patches? Question Answered!
The brown patches in your lawn could be a simple maintenance issue that is far from a mystery. With the right techniques and practices, you can stop asking, "Why is my lawn getting brown patches?" and start telling neighbors how they can eliminate issues in their own patchy lawns. Remember, a healthy lawn is your best defense. So, sharpen those blades, pick the right time, and give your grass the TLC it deserves so you have the lawn you want!
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