How short should I keep my bentgrass?

Creeping bentgrass prefers a very low cut, usually between 0.25 and 0.5 inches. Keeping it in this range requires very sharp blades.

Is it okay to water every day?

Yes, in hot weather, creeping bentgrass needs frequent, light watering to keep the surface damp. Just make sure you do it in the morning.

Creeping bentgrass: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Examine the tips of the grass blades closely for jagged edges.
Check the sharpness of your mower blades.
Measure the soil moisture to ensure it is not drying out too fast.

Likely causes

Dull Mower Blades
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the grass look frayed or shredded rather than cleanly cut. This damage turns brown within a day or two of mowing.
What to do: Sharpen your mower blades immediately. Aim to sharpen them every 10 to 15 hours of use. A clean cut heals much faster than a torn one.
Heat Stress
Possible
How to tell: The brown tips appear during a heat wave, even if the soil is moist. The grass is struggling to cool itself down.
What to do: Increase your mowing height slightly during the hottest weeks of summer. Provide a light, midday misting if temperatures exceed 90 degrees to help the grass cool off.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your creeping bentgrass

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the browning moves from the tips down to the base of the plant, you may have a deeper fungal issue like brown patch. Minor tip browning after mowing is usually just a maintenance issue.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your mower blades sharp and avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day.

Creeping bentgrass: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your creeping bentgrass and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

How short should I keep my bentgrass?: Creeping bentgrass prefers a very low cut, usually between 0.25 and 0.5 inches. Keeping it in this range requires very sharp blades.
Is it okay to water every day?: Yes, in hot weather, creeping bentgrass needs frequent, light watering to keep the surface damp. Just make sure you do it in the morning.

Why are the tips of my creeping bentgrass turning brown?