What is Dry Patch?
Dry patch is best described as a waxy coating found in soils making the area resistant to water: hydrophobic. There is no clear reason why lawns get dry patch. It is not a disease.
Being hydrophobic, dry patch has a massive restriction on the lawns access to water. Its affect is similar to polish on a car. Water just runs off.
With water being essential to a lawns health, dry patch needs to be addressed.
Book a Lawn Health Check
Dry Patch can be tricky to tackle alone. Let your local GreenThumb expert assess the problem and recommend the best solution to rehydrate your lawn and restore its health.
How can I tell if my lawn has Dry Patch?
There are various ways of doing this:
- Looking at your lawn from an elevated position you notice areas of the lawn looking a darker colour than other parts of the lawn. This could be an indication of dry patch.
- If you water an area of your lawn and it stays on the surface this is an indication that dry patch may be underlying in the soil. If it does permeate the soil very slowly, it could be a drought issue which if not corrected, could deteriorate into dry patch.
- Examination of the soil by taking samples reveals the soil is extremely dry (sometimes almost powder like).
- Another identifying mark might be the presence of a whitish substance that looks chalky, known as mycelium. This will be related to dry patch too.
How Can GreenThumb Help with Dry Patch?
Yes — our Oasis Treatment is specifically designed to target Dry Patch. To help prevent it in the future, we recommend regular Aeration, Scarification, and Oasis treatments. These practices improve water penetration and overall soil health. Oasis is included in all our programmes, while Aeration and Scarification come as standard in our Standard and Ultimate programmes. If your lawn is showing signs of Dry Patch, an additional Oasis treatment may provide further benefit.
Combat Dry Patch with the Right Lawn Care Programme
Struggling with Dry Patches in Your Lawn? Dry Patch occurs when soil becomes hydrophobic—repelling water instead of absorbing it. This leads to brown, unhealthy areas that don't improve with watering. Understanding and addressing Dry Patch is key to restoring your lawn's health.
Basic
Programme
Five expert Core Treatments delivered throughout the year to keep your lawn healthy, hydrated, and looking great.
Backed by nearly 40 years of lawn care experience, this programme delivers reliable results with trusted expertise.
Standard Programme
All five Core Treatments, plus annual Aeration and Scarification to boost lawn health and appearance.
These extra treatments reduce thatch, relieve compaction, and strengthen roots for a greener, stronger lawn.
Ultimate
Programme
Our most advanced plan, combining Core Treatments with NutraBooster+, Top Dressing, Overseeding, Oasis, Pest & Disease Management, and machine work.
Designed to deliver maximum lawn health, strength, and year-round resilience.
Further Reading
Discover more advice on preventing lawn dryness, boosting resilience, and keeping your grass healthy through changing conditions.
Strengthens and Protects
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