It’s not for nothing that lawns have become the standard for any usable, pleasant-looking outdoor space. A nice bed of grass is as practical as it is aesthetically pleasing. There’s no better surface for a pick-up soccer game or a picnic, and the lush green look of a healthy lawn is irresistible. Unfortunately, that gorgeous green lawn has an ugly stepsister that often comes to squat in your yard: the nasty, dead, icky-looking brown lawn. If your grass is brown, then your yard doesn’t look half as nice as it could. Luckily, this problem has plenty of solutions. There are a number of possible causes for your brown lawn. Address each of them in turn, and before you know it the grass will again be greener on your side of the fence.

Water, Water, Water
This might be the most obvious response to brown grass, but it’s also the most effective. Prolonged periods of drought can leave a lawn brown, as the grass conserves water to get through the weeks without rain. Watering your lawn in the morning (when the sun’s too low to dry the grass immediately) can help return the grass to its normal green colour.

Test the pH
High levels of pH mean that your soil is excessively acidic, and the result can be yellow or brown grass. You can buy a testing kit on the cheap to see what your pH levels are like. An optimal level is around 6.5. If you’re at more than 7, then you can spread sulfur around your lawn to bring the pH back down to wear it needs to be.

Treat the Grubs
Unless you’re on the Timon and Pumbaa diet, you probably don’t want grubs in your yard. Not only are these larval beetles icky, but they also eat the roots of your grass, which can make your lawn turn brown. Dig up a bit of sod to check for an infestation. If there are lots of grubs, then consider spreading a grub-killing chemical. To go the natural route, toss some nematodes on your lawn.

Get Weeding
The fertilizer and water you spread on your lawn are meant for the grass, not the weeds. Unfortunately, the unwanted weeds have a way of stealing key nutrients and leaving your grass to wither and die. Buy an herbicide that will kill the weeds while sparing the grass to take care of this problem.

Treat the Fungi
You want your lawn to play host not to fungi, but to the fun guy who lives down the street. Fungus can grow among your grass and turn it brown, especially in warm, over-saturated environments. Water only in the morning and keep your lawn mowed to minimize the presence of the fungus.

A lawn can be a bit of work, but its always worth the effort. If your lawn is brown, don’t give up hope. Follows these tips to get it again looking its emerald best.