Not all lawn problems can be resolved with just a little extra water or quick fertilization. The state of your lawn can actually tell you a lot about what the issue is, if you know how to read it.

If your lawn is suffering from brown, dead spots, there are a couple different potential causes.

• Perhaps your dog has decided that that particular spot is his favorite or a chemical was spilled on that area, but the bottom line is that the pH of your soil is unbalanced. Test the soil pH and then treat the area accordingly with fertilizer that has the appropriate elements to make your lawn healthier.
• That patch of your lawn might also be above an obstruction, which is preventing the grass roots from growing properly. If there is a rock or buried treasure, you just have to dig it up and replant the area.
• If the grass is still there, but brown and wilted, that region of your lawn could use a good watering session.

If mysterious rings of dead grass are appearing in your lawn, your soil is probably suffering from a fungal infestation. Fungus flourishes in moisture; so watering your lawn is not going to resolve the issue. Try a fungicide in the affected region. If that doesn’t work, you may have to dig up that area of your lawn and replant new grass. Matted patches of grass of your lawn might also indicate fungus. You will have to examine these patches to see if the area looks more like it is wilting or actually dying.

Dirt mounds on your lawn usually indicate insect infestation. Without getting too up-close-and-personal with the insects, figure out what kind of creature you have in your lawn and purchase the necessary insecticide. You will want to address this problem before they get to close to your house. Along with dirt mounds, clumped grass indicates infestation as well – of grubs. The grubs eat the roots and destroy the stability of your lawn. Certain grub killers can be purchased to resolve this problem.

Discolored streaks of yellow, brown, or dark green on your lawn indicate inconsistent fertilizing. Check your fertilizing equipment to see if it is defective or check the pH of the soil to see what the exact nutrient problem is.

Like any illness, the sufferer knows its symptoms best – so listen to your lawn!