Dead Rye Grass

Soil pH

• Ryegrass cannot absorb soil's nutrients or fertilizer when it is grown outside of its preferred range of 6.0 to 7.0. Gardeners should conduct a soil pH test on their soil every year to make sure that it is within the correct range. Also, grass discoloration, bare areas or dead grass are other indicators that the soil is out of the ryegrass' correct range. You can add lime to soil that is under 6.0 or sulfur to alkaline soil over 7.0.

Watering

• According to Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension, ryegrass does not properly grow and can die out if not watered during droughts. Water your ryegrass twice a week during the summer and through dry spells. Dig a 12-inch hole after watering. Apply more water if the soil is still dry. If the soil is soaked, you are applying too much water to the yard. Excessive watering can contribute to your grass contracting a fungal disease such as root rot.

Fungal Diseases

• Ryegrass can die out if a fungal disease has been severe. Yards can contract such fungal diseases as leaf spot, rhizoctonia blight, red thread, stripe smut, fairy rings and fusarium patch. Gardeners can tell that their yard has been infected with a disease when they see leaf discoloration, spots, fungal spores or dead areas in their yard. Generally, you can apply a fungicide that is chemically formulated to treat or prevent future outbreaks of the fungal disease.

Pets

• Pets can kill grass by digging up areas or urinating in the yard. Typically, grass looks brown after the salts in urine burn it. You can prevent grass damage by keeping your pet in one area or in a dog run. If you see your pet use one area of the yard, leach the soil thoroughly with water to prevent excessive salt buildup.