Why Would New Lawn Sod Turn Brown in Spots?

Facts

• Brown spots in new sod can signal that the sod roots did not take hold in the soil. You can test this theory by pulling up on the sod with the brown spot. If the sod piece easily lifts up, the sod needs replacing as the roots did not grow into the soil.

Other Problems

• Dog urine, gasoline, too much fertilizer, disease and insects can also create these problems on your sod. To find out if grubs or worms exist, cut into the lawn and pull back the piece. You should see the insects in the soil or the lawn.

Considerations

• Poor lawn maintenance practices can also contribute to brown spots in new sod. For example, the lawn sprinkler system may not be covering the brown patch. Mowing the lawn too early or too short can also result in a brown or dead spot in the sod.