What Causes Summertime Hot Spots in Lawns?

As a lawn care professional, I often encounter the frustration of homeowners who notice unsightly hot spots (brown areas) in their lawns during the summer season. One of the primary causes of these hot spots is poor sprinkler coverage. Over time, sprinkler heads can become misaligned or blocked, leading to uneven watering. When certain areas of your lawn receive insufficient water, they can dry out and turn brown, especially under the intense summer heat. It's essential to regularly inspect and adjust your sprinkler system to ensure even coverage and avoid these dry patches.

Another common culprit for hot spots is broken or malfunctioning sprinkler heads. Sprinkler heads can easily become damaged by lawn equipment, foot traffic, or natural wear and tear. When a sprinkler head is broken, it can either leak water, creating soggy spots, or fail to deliver water to its designated area, resulting in dry, brown patches. Regular maintenance and prompt repair of any damaged sprinkler heads are crucial to maintaining a lush, green lawn. I recommend routinely checking your system for any signs of damage and replacing broken parts immediately to keep your irrigation system functioning optimally.

In addition to irrigation issues, turf-damaging insects and the type of grass in your lawn can also contribute to hot spots. Insects such as grubs, chinch bugs, and sod webworms can cause significant damage to grass roots, leading to brown, dead patches. It's important to be vigilant and look for signs of insect activity, such as thinning grass and increased bird activity. Treating your lawn with appropriate insecticides can help mitigate this problem. Furthermore, the type of grass you have plays a role in how it handles the summer heat. Some grass types, like cool-season grasses, struggle in high temperatures and may turn brown, while warm-season grasses thrive. Choosing the right grass type for your climate and maintaining it properly can make all the difference in keeping your lawn healthy and green throughout the summer.

We offer Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control Programs and a Irrigation / Sprinklers Service and Repair Program.