You may wake up one day to find your lawn dying, yet have no real idea why. The cause of your lawn dying may or may not be disease related and can be frustratingly difficult to determine. To figure out what is causing your lawn woes, consider non-disease causes first.

Water is essential to the health of your lawn. However, it can also be the cause of your lawn dying. If you water your lawn too often, you risk killing it.

As a general rule, it is best to water enough to wet the whole root zone on an infrequent basis. If your lawn is healthy and your soil is not compacted, give your lawn about three quarters of an inch (1.90 cm) to one inch (2.54 cm) of water once a week. As summer temperatures taper off to cooler weather, it’s best to water less often.

Soil compaction can also lead to your lawn dying. It is important to till lawns adequately before establishment. All too often, people add just a couple of inches of soil before they seed or sod. Unfortunately, handling your lawn in this manner will lead to a shallow root system. Instead, it is best to till to a depth of six to eight inches (15.23 to 20.32 cm) before you plant.

To help deal with compaction and prevent the demise of your lawn, don’t forget to aerate as needed. When you aerate your lawn, be sure to cover about 15% of the area with holes. Though this procedure can be tedious, it can go a long way toward saving you the disappointment of having to deal with your lawn dying before you eyes.

Other things that may lead to your lawn dying include improper mowing heights, thatch that is too thick, slopes or low areas, certain herbicides, insects, and diseases. If you believe a disease may be the cause of your lawn dying, take steps to identify the disease and rectify it quickly. There are many resources online that may be help you recognize diseases and other lawn conditions. If such resources fail to help and you still find your lawn dying, consider seeking the services of a lawn-care professional. Keep in mind that many diseases are caused by improper lawn care and take steps to take excellent care of your lawn.