# Why Does Grass Turn Brown When Too Much Fertilizer Is Applied?
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Causes
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Chemical fertilizers contain mineral salts. In humans, too much salt consumption is unhealthy. Excessive salt consumption can cause dehydration. The same is true for plants. When you add too much fertilizer to your lawn, the salts can build up and dry your grass. This can cause your grass to turn yellow or brown and may eventually lead to the death of patches of your lawn.
Damage Extent
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Fertilizer burn is usually primarily cosmetic, but sometimes it can kill your grass. The amount and extent of the damage caused will vary based on the type of fertilizer you used and how much you applied. If your grass is still slightly moist and barely yellowing, it will probably recover. If it has dried out completely and turned brown, it may never recover. It may take a few days before you know the true extent of the damage, especially if you leave the fertilizer on the grass for an extended period of time.
Prevention
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Prevent fertilizer burn by using organic compost instead of chemicals. Since these use composts instead of mineral salts, there is little chance of fertilizer burn. Planting clover in your lawn can fix nitrogen into the soil without the use of fertilizer. If you choose to use chemical fertilizers, read the package instructions and follow them carefully. All fertilizers will come with application instructions. Be sure to choose the right type of fertilizer for your grass type.
Treatment
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If you already have fertilizer burn in your grass, remove as much of it from your lawn as possible. If granules are still on top of the soil, use a broom or wet/dry vacuum to remove as much of it as you can. Immediately water your grass. This will dilute the salts and wash them away while also giving crucial moisture to the grass. Water grass only in the morning to reduce the chances of causing fungal infections. If your grass does not recover, you will have to plant more. Wait until early spring to plant warm-season grasses, and plant cool-season grasses in fall.
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