Top 5 Signs Your North Texas Lawn Is in Trouble (And How to Fix Them)

Keeping a lush, vibrant lawn in Keller, Southlake, and across North Texas isn’t always easy. Extreme summer heat, clay-heavy soil, unpredictable rainfall, and seasonal pests all put turf under stress. These conditions make lawns more vulnerable to disease, weeds, and insect infestations — and sometimes the symptoms can look frustratingly similar.

At Conroy’s Lawn & Landscape, we help homeowners and property managers recognize problems early and apply the right solutions. Whether you’re managing a yard with our residential lawn care programs or maintaining larger properties through commercial lawn care, understanding the warning signs is the first step toward healthier turf.

1. Brown or Yellow Patches

Few things worry homeowners more than brown or yellow spots spreading across the lawn. In Keller, Southlake, and Colleyville, this is one of the most common signs that turf is in trouble.

Possible Causes:

• Brown patch fungus – Often seen in humid seasons, creating circular or irregular patches.

• Drought stress – Grass turns brown or straw-colored in dry soil, especially during heatwaves.

• Grub damage – White grubs feed on roots, causing turf to pull up easily.

How to Fix:

• Fungus: Apply fungicides and improve lawn drainage.

• Drought stress: Adjust irrigation schedules (see Drought Stress vs Overwatering).

• Grubs: Apply treatments and overseed thin spots.

Learn more in our North Texas Lawn Problems Identification Guide.

2. Grass Pulls Up Like Carpet

If turf lifts away from the soil with little resistance, grubs are usually the culprit. These pests feed on roots beneath the surface, leaving grass loose, brown, and weak.

How to Identify:

• Loose, detached turf

• Irregular brown patches

• Presence of white, C-shaped grubs just under the soil

• Increased bird or wildlife activity digging in the yard

Solution:
Inspect soil for grubs, apply professional treatments, and overseed or sod bare areas. Our residential lawn care programs include grub control to keep infestations under control.

3. Persistent Weeds

Invasive weeds like crabgrass, dallisgrass, clover, and nutsedge thrive when turf is weak. If you’re battling recurring weeds in Grapevine, Bedford, or Watauga, it may be a sign your soil or turf health needs improvement.

Causes:

• Thin or nutrient-poor grass

• Compacted clay soil

• Missed pre-emergent herbicide applications

How to Fix:

• Fertilize and overseed to strengthen turf

• Aerate compacted soils

• Apply pre- and post-emergent weed controls

See our Texas Weed Identification Guide to learn more about spotting and controlling invasive species.

4. Grayish or Wilting Grass

If your lawn starts to look dull, gray, or wilted, it’s often tied to irrigation issues. Both drought stress and overwatering are common in North Texas due to inconsistent rainfall and clay soils.

Causes:

• Drought stress – Grass blades fold, turn bluish-gray, and show footprints or mower tracks.

• Overwatering – Oversaturated soil suffocates roots, promotes fungus, and encourages weeds like nutsedge.

How to Fix:

• Water deeply 1–2 times weekly instead of daily

• Adjust sprinklers for even coverage

• Improve drainage with grading, swales, or French drains

Learn more in Drought Stress vs Overwatering.

5. Ragged or Chewed Blades

If grass looks chewed, thin, or ragged, insects may be to blame. In Trophy Club, Westlake, and North Richland Hills, common culprits include armyworms, chinch bugs, and sod webworms.

Causes:

• Armyworms – Chew grass down to the crown in large patches

• Chinch bugs – Suck sap and inject toxins, creating yellow areas

• Sod webworms – Feed at night, leaving thinning turf and chewed tips

How to Fix:

• Inspect turf closely for larvae or adult pests

• Apply targeted insecticides or professional treatments

• Strengthen turf with fertilization and proper mowing

For help identifying pests, see our Texas Lawn Pests Identification Guide.

Final Thoughts

Your lawn often signals problems before they spiral out of control. Whether it’s fungus, pests, drought stress, or invasive weeds, recognizing the warning signs early is critical. Acting quickly not only restores turf health but also prevents small issues from becoming expensive repairs.

At Conroy’s Lawn & Landscape, we’ve spent over 20 years helping homeowners and businesses protect their lawns across Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, and beyond. From residential lawn care programs to full-service commercial lawn care plans, our customized solutions include fertilization, weed control, pest management, irrigation adjustments, and soil improvement.

Explore our complete landscaping services to learn how we can keep your North Texas property looking its best year-round.