Your lawn is so much more than just the green grass surrounding your home.
It’s an escape from the demanding world of stress, responsibility, and deadlines where you can put long days behind you, enjoy time with friends and family, and embrace relaxation.
You might even enjoy your lawn for playing fetch with your dog or tossing the baseball back and forth with your kids. Grilling outdoors is another great activity that allows you to take some deep breaths and enjoy the lawn view (and the delicious smell of barbecue).
But a lawn that looks less than thick and green can ruin all these outdoor moments. A brown or yellow lawn doesn’t make the best place for making memories.
Let’s talk about what causes grass to turn yellow and how to turn yellow grass green, so you can have that enviable lawn you crave.
Top Reasons Why Your Grass is Turning Yellow
Having a lush, green lawn is a point of pride for many homeowners in Boston, Needham, Concord, and Danvers, but, sometimes, despite your best efforts, patches of your grass may turn yellow. This can be frustrating and may indicate underlying issues that need attention. Here are the top reasons of grass turning yellow:
- Nutrient deficiency – Grass requires various nutrients to maintain its green color and health. A deficiency in essential nutrients like iron, nitrogen, or potassium can cause yellowing.
- Excessively low pH (acidic) soils – Soil pH is a crucial factor in determining the health and color of your lawn. pH levels range from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Levels below 7 are considered acidic, and those above 7 are alkaline. Lawns generally thrive in slightly acidic to neutral soils, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. When soil pH drops too low, it becomes excessively acidic, leading to several issues that can cause your grass to turn yellow.
- Insufficient watering/summer drought – One of the most common reasons for yellowing grass is inadequate watering. Grass needs adequate moisture to thrive, especially during hot and dry periods. If your lawn isn’t getting enough water, it can turn yellow and become stressed. Water deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to absorb moisture down to the roots.
- Water logging – While insufficient watering can cause yellowing, overwatering can be just as detrimental. Too much water can lead to poor oxygenation in the soil, root rot, and the proliferation of fungal diseases. It’s essential to find the right balance and ensure proper drainage in your lawn.
- Pet urine – Pet urine, particularly from dogs, can cause yellow or brown spots in your grass due to its high nitrogen content. Train your pets to use designated areas and water those spots thoroughly to dilute the urine and prevent damage.
- Disease and insect damage or infestation – Various pests, such as grubs and chinch bugs, can damage your lawn by feeding on grass crowns and roots. This can result in yellowing and thinning of grass. Some diseases can also cause yellow or brown patches. Inspect your lawn for insects and disease and treat infestations promptly.
- Compacted soil – Compacted soil restricts the flow of air, water, and nutrients to the grass roots. This can cause your lawn to become stressed and turn yellow. Aerating your lawn annually can help alleviate soil compaction, allowing for better root growth and overall lawn health.
- Mowing too short – Incorrect mowing practices can also contribute to yellowing grass. Mowing too short stresses the lawn, and dull mower blades can tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly leading to a yellowish appearance.
- Chemical damage – Overuse of fertilizers, herbicides, cleaning solutions, deicers, or salts can burn your grass, leading to yellow or brown patches. Always follow the recommended application rates for products and minimize use of cleaning solutions or deicing salts near grassy areas.
Grass Turning Yellow During Different Seasons
Grass can turn yellow for various reasons throughout the year, and the causes often depend on the season. Understanding the specific factors at play during spring, summer, and winter can help you diagnose and address the issue effectively.
In spring, your lawn is coming out of dormancy and beginning its growth again. Grass turning yellow in spring can happen due to thatch accumulation and soil compaction, which prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching the lawn’s roots and exacerbating nutrient deficiencies. Proper annual aeration and fertilization throughout the year can help alleviate these issues.
The hot and dry conditions of summer present unique challenges that can cause grass turning yellow. Heat stress and drought, for instance, can discolor your grass, especially if it’s not receiving enough water. Deep and infrequent watering during early morning hours can help maintain soil moisture and reduce this stress. Pest activity is also at its peak in summer, which can damage lawn roots and cause yellow patches. Regularly inspecting your lawn and applying appropriate treatments can help control these problems.
During winter, some grass types enter dormancy and naturally turn yellow or brown. But other factors can contribute to grass turning yellow in winter, including cold stress, snow mold, and salt damage. Light raking in early spring can help manage snow mold and minimizing salt use near grassy areas can reduce salt damage.
How to Restore Yellow Grass
Can yellow grass turn green again? Seeing your lush green lawn turn yellow can be disheartening, but with the right approach, you can restore its vibrant color and health. Here are some steps you can take to bring your yellow grass back to life.
- First, identify the cause. Determining why your grass is turning yellow can help you fix the problem. Review the common causes above and consider the potential impacts and solutions.
- Adjust watering practices – whether it’s adding more water or cutting back on watering. Ensure your lawn receives about 1 inch of water weekly. Water deeply and less frequently during early mornings to ensure deep rot growth and reduce evaporation and lawn fungal growth. Ensure proper drainage to prevent overwatering or root rot.
- Correct nutrient deficiencies by conducting a soil test and identifying imbalances. Then your lawn care professional can adjust your program accordingly.
- Aerate your lawn to alleviate soil compaction and improve air, water, and nutrient flow.
- Inspect your lawn for pests and diseases and ensure adequate control measures.
- Improve mowing practices by mowing your lawn to the correct 3- to 4-inch height, not cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at any one time, and ensuring your mower blades are sharp and make clean cuts.
- Manage pet damage by training your pets to use designated areas and water the spots that do happen in your lawn thoroughly to dilute the urine and minimize damage.
- Address fertilizer or salt burn by rinsing affected areas with water to dilute salts or leach excess fertilizer out of the soil.
- Reseed damaged areas and keep the soil moist as new grass establishes itself.
Lawn Care Best Practices to Help Prevent Yellow Grass
A vibrant, green lawn not only enhances your home's curb appeal but also provides a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation and activities. To maintain this lush appearance and prevent your grass from turning yellow, it's essential to follow these key lawn care best practices.
- Proper watering – Deep, infrequent, and early morning watering is key. Aim to provide 1 inch of water per week, adjusting based on rainfall and climate conditions.
- Balanced fertilization – Use slow-release fertilizers to provide a steady supply of nutrients over time, reducing the risk of nutrient burn and promoting sustained growth.
- Proper mowing practices – Maintain your lawn at the correct mowing height for your Massachusetts grass type, which is usually 3 to 4 inches. Keep your mower blades sharp. Mow regularly to avoid having to cut more than one-third of the grass blade at any one time to reduce lawn stress.
- Aerate annually – Aerate your lawn once annually to alleviate soil compaction, improve root growth, and enhance flow of air, water, and nutrients.
- Stay on top of pest and disease control – Regularly inspect your lawn for signs of pests or diseases. Early detection allows for timely intervention and prevents widespread damage.
- Maintain good soil health – Add organic matter to improve soil structure and fertility, which helps promote robust root growth and grass vitality.
By adhering to these best practices, you can create and maintain a healthy, green lawn year-round. Consistent care and attention to your lawn's needs will not only prevent your grass turning yellow but also ensure a beautiful and resilient outdoor space for your enjoyment.
At Hartney Greymont, we have local arborists and professional turf specialists throughout Massachusetts located in Needham, Concord, Danvers, Cape Cod, and the surrounding areas.
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