If you live in the Twin Cities, you know how quickly a healthy green lawn can turn brown during the summer months. Heat, lack of rain, poor soil, and drainage issues can all take a toll on your yard. While it may seem like a simple lawn problem, brown grass is often a sign of deeper issues with your landscape. The good news is that you can take the right steps now to not only fix the problem, but also improve your entire outdoor space for the long term. Here are five simple steps to take when your grass starts turning brown in Minnesota.
Step 1: Identify What Is Causing the Problem
The first thing you want to do is figure out why your grass is turning brown. In Minnesota, common causes include drought stress, compacted soil, poor drainage, and shallow root systems. You may also be dealing with lawn disease or uneven watering. Take a close look at your yard. Are certain areas worse than others? Do you notice water pooling after rain? These clues can help you understand what is really going on. While it is possible to guess, working with a professional landscaper ensures you get an accurate answer and avoid wasting time and money on the wrong fix.
Step 2: Adjust Your Watering and Lawn Care Routine
Once you have a better idea of the cause, your next step is to adjust how you care for your lawn. Many homeowners either overwater or underwater their grass. In Minnesota summers, your lawn typically needs about one inch of water per week, either from rain or irrigation. Water deeply and less often to encourage strong root growth. Also consider mowing a little higher to protect your grass from heat. These small changes can make a noticeable difference, but they are often short-term solutions if the underlying landscape design is not working in your favor.
Step 3: Improve Soil Health and Drainage
Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy lawn. If your grass is struggling, there is a good chance your soil is compacted or lacking nutrients. Aeration can help loosen the soil and allow water and nutrients to reach the roots. You may also need to add organic material or improve grading to prevent water from pooling. In many Twin Cities properties, drainage issues are a major reason lawns fail. Solutions like French drains, berms, and swales can move water away from problem areas and protect your yard. This is where professional expertise becomes extremely valuable, because proper drainage design requires experience and careful planning.
Step 4: Rethink Your Lawn with Smarter Planting Choices
Sometimes, the best solution is not trying to force grass to grow where it struggles. Instead, you can upgrade your landscape with plants that thrive in Minnesota conditions. For example, adding hardy options like Hostas, Daylilies, or Coneflowers can bring color and life to areas where grass fails. These plants require less maintenance and are better suited to handle heat and varying moisture levels. By replacing problem areas with well-planned garden beds, you not only solve the issue of brown grass, but also create a more interesting and valuable outdoor space.
Step 5: Invest in a Professionally Designed Outdoor Space
If your lawn keeps turning brown year after year, it is a sign that a bigger change is needed. Instead of constantly trying to fix patches of grass, consider investing in a professionally designed landscape. This is where Dean Bjorkstrand Landscaping stands out. Dean personally meets with you, creates a custom design, and works closely with his experienced team to bring your vision to life. With decades of hands-on experience, each team member understands how to build outdoor spaces that last in Minnesota’s climate. Whether it is a new patio, retaining wall, garden, lighting plan, or water feature, every detail is designed with purpose.
Why Hiring a Professional Landscaper Makes the Difference
It is easy to think of brown grass as just a lawn issue, but in many cases, it is a sign that your outdoor space is not working as it should. A professional landscaper does more than fix the surface problem. They look at the full picture, including drainage, grading, soil health, and how your space is used. Dean Bjorkstrand Landscaping focuses on designing and building complete outdoor environments that solve problems and add long-term value. Instead of spending time and money on temporary fixes, you get a plan that works for years to come.
Create a Yard That Works for You
Your outdoor space should be more than just a lawn. It should be a place where you can relax, entertain, and enjoy your home. By upgrading your yard with features like patios, walkways, gardens, and lighting, you create a space that looks great and functions better. You also reduce the stress of constant lawn maintenance and repair. With the right design, even problem areas can become some of the most beautiful parts of your yard.
Take the Next Step Toward a Better Landscape
If your grass is turning brown and you are tired of dealing with the same issues every summer, now is the time to take action. Dean Bjorkstrand Landscaping can help you identify the root cause, create a plan, and build an outdoor space that truly stands out. From design to installation, you will work directly with a team that cares about quality and results. Call 612-861-3919 today to ask questions or start your project with a skilled landscaper who understands Minnesota landscapes and how to make them last.