Are you having a heat wave?

Yes, absolutely. I'm in CT and it's been crazy hot. That's why I've been trying to water. What I don't get is why the lines of dying/brown grass. I could see if the whole thing looked bad I would blame it on the heat...

I think the lines posted in the pics from this year are normal, especially with the heat. However, if you want to be diligent:

Let's look at your lawnmower:

What setting is it at for height?

Do you bag the clippings? If so is the bag full and heavy?

Have you had the blade sharpened?

How are the tires on it (dead serious)?

Is it leaking anything?

Hi. Here goes:

What setting is it at for height? As high as it goes, around maybe 3.5 - 4"

Do you bag the clippings? If so is the bag full and heavy? No

Have you had the blade sharpened? I had a new 'gator blade' installed about a month ago. I assume it's still sharp.

How are the tires on it (dead serious)? Not great. I check the inflation periodically, but there isn't much tread on them.

Is it leaking anything? No.

Again, I'm all for blaming it on the heat wave, but given that I didn't have this issue over the summer, why would it be happening now (is it because it got cool and then hot again, which somehow messes things up more than when it's simply hot all summer)?

Thanks again!

Yeah could be the heat wave but also has it been really dry (no rain?)

Yes, very dry. I watered deeply a few days ago and will do so again in a couple of days.

I'm sure it's temporary and should green up with the slightly cooler temps and some rain

Yeah, that's what it did last year, I just find it odd that it keeps happening, especially in the perfect lines. I've not seen this in any lawns near me. oh well.

One thing they say is you should vary the patterns that you mow in....that way the grass grows more evenly and such...

Perhaps you've been mowing in the same direction all this time?

Thanks. I do try and mow different directions, but definitely lean towards one specific direction more often than not.

Just wanted to post an update, the problem has completely gone away... :)

What kind of tree do you have there? Your mulch bed around the tree doesn’t seem nearly wide enough. That tree might be sucking the area dry. Maybe it’s trying to prepare for winter and Is pulling everything it can to do so.

It's a hickory. Could definitely be sucking it a bit dry.

Maybe think about expanding the size of that mulch bed by about 5 feet in all directions. Thst will help the tree ... and also help your lawn because the trouble spots seem to be surrounding the tree. (Especially in that first pic). Maybe even ditch the rock border and create a nice edge around the mulch bed to make your lawn have more “pop”.