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The grass could be dying because it’s overwatered or underwater. Additional issues include over-mowing the lawn, compacted soil, or a fungal disease in the lawn. In many instances, regular maintenance can keep grass from dying.

If you apply too much fertilizer to your grass, it can take about three weeks to recover. If you still have dead patches after three weeks, it might be time to remove the dead grass and overseed the affected area. Since overfertilizing can also cause problems with fungus, leading to further damage to the grass, monitor your grass color and growth for one month after over fertilizing.

Putting too much lime on your lawn can change the soil's pH level from acidic to alkaline. While grass doesn't do well in acidic soils, an alkaline situation can be just as detrimental to its health. Alkaline soil blocks the grass's ability to absorb vital nutrients necessary for survival. If you apply too much lime, you can reverse the effects over a relatively short time by applying commercially available products designed for the purpose or by adding compost to the soil.

You can use a fungicide to help control powdery mildew, but you should apply it judiciously as it can damage soil health and persist in the soil. Most of the time, proper watering, surface drying, and limiting shade can control powdery mildew without needing harsher interventions. If you have a repeated problem with powdery mildew, you can also try planting a shade-resistant type of grass that will be less susceptible to the fungus.