Lawn Burn
Brown or yellow streaks caused by applying too much fertilizer in one area. Nitrogen in high concentrations pulls water out of grass roots through osmosis, causing them to dry out. Quick-release fertilizers applied in summer heat are the most common cause.
Lawn burn appears as bright yellow or brown streaks that often match the path of a spreader. Affected areas may or may not recover depending on severity.
Prevention: Never apply fertilizer to wet grass. Calibrate your spreader correctly. Avoid applying quick-release nitrogen when temperatures exceed 85°F. Overlapping spreader paths causes double-application stripes.
Recovery: Water heavily immediately after noticing burn to dilute the salt concentration. Mild burn usually grows out. Severe burn may require reseeding.
More on Fertilizer
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