Preventing Brown Spots In Your Yard

Nobody likes brown spots or dry patches in their lawn. These annoying and unsightly areas can pop up quickly and ruin the uniform look of a yard. Even worse? If you have an in-ground irrigation system, this is usually signals a larger sprinkler issue.

What causes brown spots?

Brown spots in a lawn or grassy area are typically caused by poor irrigation coverage where some of the grass receives the water it needs and other parts are left out. This uneven application of water can be very tough to detect until after irrigation problems have already developed.

For those with in-ground irrigation, some common causes include:

• Sprinkler heads too low in the ground
• Crooked sprinkler heads that don’t pop up as they should
• Broken or out-of-alignment sprinkler heads
• Stuck sprinkler heads that don’t turn as intended
• Blockages (like new plant growth, or landscaping materials like mulch) that get in the way of sprinkler heads
• Water pressure issues
• Plugged or worn-out nozzles
• Tree roots encroaching on irrigation lines, which can result in decreased water flow
• Valves opening partially or not at all
• Uneven or inconsistent water coverage

We suggest regularly checking in with your irrigation system and yard a few times a year to make sure your system is running well.

Inconsistent water coverage

If you suspect your yard isn't getting even water coverage, there are a couple tricks that can green the playing field, so to speak.

• Add a Smart Hose Timer to increase water coverage at any dry spots. You can pair a hose timer with a soaker hose to automatically apply water where you need it. Just snake the hose through your grass or plants and set watering schedules that make sense for your yard.
• Upgrade your sprinkler system to a Smart Sprinkler Controller for automatic, weather-responsive watering.

Other causes

Not all brown spots are caused by irrigation issues. Excessive sun exposure, animal urine, fungus and disease can also create dead spots or dry areas in your yard. Take note of the size and location of brown spots during your regular checks. Also be sure to note the location of shadows on your lawn at different parts of the day. One part of the yard could be shaded in the morning but receive full sun for the entire afternoon, creating a difference in water needs.

Still struggling to find a solution? It might be time to call a pro. You can request an irrigation audit through many landscaping and irrigation professionals.

What is an irrigation audit?

An irrigation audit is a method for inspecting and measuring the effectiveness of your sprinkler system. An audit can ensure your system is applying the right amount of water to each irrigation zone in your yard, minimizing the risk of brown spots and even costlier irrigation issues. This end-to-end review of your sprinkler system can give you valuable information on how to save both water and money.

When to perform an irrigation audit?

Rachio recommends auditing your irrigation system 1-2 times per year for a proactive approach to yard health. If you live in an area with temperate weather (experiencing cool or cold winters and mild or warm summers) the start of spring is an excellent time to take a close look at your irrigation and make sure your system is in shape for the growing season.

Irrigation audits & smart sprinkler controllers

While Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controllers can recommend watering schedules, an irrigation audit is a good way to provide the most accurate and advanced information to your Rachio controller with the potential to further increase your watering accuracy.

The information from your irrigation audit can help fine tune your smart watering schedules and save you the most water while still keeping your plants healthy.