Over the past few weeks, I’ve had a flood of questions about brown lawns. In most cases, the culprit is simple: drought stress from our hot summer weather. However, lawn-feeding insects and fungal diseases are also common this time of year.

Fortunately, you can do a few quick tests to help narrow down the problem.

1. Start with the screwdriver test. Push a long screwdriver into the soil in the brown areas. If it slides in easily, the soil has enough moisture, and drought likely isn’t the issue. If it’s tough to push in, the soil is dry, and your lawn may not be getting enough water.

2. Try pulling up the brown grass if watering isn’t the problem. If it lifts easily, like a loose carpet, insect pests may be feeding on the roots. If the lawn is well-rooted and moist, but still turning

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