My lawn has turned completely brown this summer, can it be fixed?
After one of the driest UK summers in recent memory, many lawns have turned brown, straw-like, or patchy. The good news: a brown lawn isn’t always a dead lawn—often it’s drought dormancy. With the right autumn and winter care 🌦️, you can revive tired turf and set it up to look great through winter and burst back strongly in spring.
🌱 What’s actually happened to my lawn?
Most UK lawns are cool-season grasses (ryegrass and fescues). In prolonged dry spells they slow down or go dormant, turning brown to conserve energy. If the crown (growing point) survived, recovery is very possible once moisture and nutrients return. Completely bare areas or mats that pull up easily may need reseeding or patch repair.
Quick self-check ✅
- Scratch test Gently scratch a brown stem—green inside = likely alive.
- Tug test If turf lifts like a doormat with little resistance, those patches may be dead and need overseeding.
- Even vs. patchy Evenly brown = dormancy; random bare patches = localised die-off, compaction, or pests/disease.
🍂 Your autumn rescue plan (Sept–Nov)
- Core aeration to relieve compaction from summer footfall and improve water/air penetration.
- Scarification (light–moderate) to remove thatch and let new growth thicken.
- Overseeding with a UK-appropriate mix (fine fescue + perennial ryegrass) to fill in bare patches.
- Topdressing (thin layer of sand/loam/compost blend) to level, protect seed and improve soil.
- Autumn fertiliser (low N, higher K) for root strength and winter resilience.
- Wetting agent if water is running off hydrophobic, baked soils.
- Moss control if shady/wet areas show moss (iron-based treatments are common).
❄️ Keep it tidy through winter (Dec–Feb)
- Winter tonic light feed to maintain colour and hardiness without forcing soft growth.
- Debris management: keep leaves off the lawn to reduce disease and thinning.
- Foot traffic care: avoid walking on frosty or waterlogged turf to prevent damage.
🌷 Get ahead for spring (Mar–Apr)
- Spring starter feed (balanced NPK) to kickstart growth.
- Targeted weed control once growth is active (conditions permitting).
- Top-up overseeding for any thin areas after winter.
- Mowing reset: start high and lower gradually; keep blades sharp for a clean cut.
Simple recovery timeline
| When | Key actions | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Sept–Oct | Aerate, scarify (light–moderate), overseed, topdress, autumn fertiliser, wetting agent (if needed) | Repairs drought damage, improves soil contact, strengthens roots before cold weather |
| Nov–Dec | Leaf clearance, moss control in shade, minimal traffic | Prevents smothering/disease and keeps sward healthy |
| Jan–Feb | Winter tonic feed (weather permitting), tidy edges, equipment maintenance | Maintains colour/hardiness and prepares for spring work |
| Mar–Apr | Balanced spring feed, weed control, top-up overseeding, re-edge borders | Thickens lawn quickly and suppresses weeds as growth resumes |
🌤️ Ongoing tips (quick wins)
- Mowing height: keep ~35–45 mm in summer stress; ~25–35 mm in cool, moist periods.
- Water smart: early morning, occasional deep soaks when allowed; aim for 12–20 mm per session.
- Edges matter: crisp edges instantly improve the look, even mid-recovery.
📦 Professional treatment plans (recommended)
To fast-track recovery and protect your investment, consider a tailored programme:
- Autumn Renovation – aeration, scarification, overseed, professional topdressing, autumn feed.
- Winter Care – moss control, winter tonic, problem-area monitoring.
- Spring Kick-Start – balanced fertiliser, targeted weed control, patch overseeding, soil conditioning.
📞 Get in Touch
If your lawn is brown, dry or patchy, we can help bring it back to life—with quality treatments now for winter colour and a head-start on spring. We’ll specify the right products, timing and techniques for your garden, then carry out the work for best results.
Reach out via our contact page and let’s plan your lawn’s recovery.