Why are the tips of my Common bent turning brown?

Check these first

1. Examine the tips of the grass blades for a jagged cut.
2. Check the soil moisture at a depth of 2 inches.
3. Look at the weather forecast for upcoming heat waves.

Likely causes

1. Dull mower blades

   Most likely

   How to tell: The tips look frayed or jagged rather than cleanly cut. This happens shortly after you mow the lawn.

   What to do: Sharpen your mower blades at the start of every season. A clean cut allows the grass to heal quickly and prevents browning. Avoid mowing when the grass is stressed by heat.

2. Underwatering

   Possible

   How to tell: The grass looks dry and brittle, especially during the hottest part of the day. The soil feels hard and dry to the touch.

   What to do: Water deeply every 2 to 5 days to ensure the moisture reaches the root zone. Aim for about an inch of water per week. Use a sprinkler early in the morning to minimize evaporation.

Brown tips on other plants

When to worry

Worry if the browning turns into widespread wilting or death. Minor tip browning is common during hot summer months.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your mower blades sharp and stick to a consistent deep watering schedule.

Questions people ask

Should I water every day to stop the browning?

No, frequent shallow watering encourages weak roots. Stick to deep watering every few days instead.

Will the brown tips turn green again?

The brown parts will not turn green, but new growth will be healthy if you address the cause. You can mow the lawn to remove the damaged tips.

Guides to these causes

• Dehydration

More problems with Common bent

• Why are there spots on my Common bent grass?
• Why is my Common bent turning yellow?
• Why are there bugs on my Common bent grass?
• Why is my Common bent grass dying at the roots?
• Why is my Common bent grass growing tall and thin?