It’s that time of year again where homeowners are anxiously looking out the window at their patchy, yellow lawn and asking themselves, “why is my lawn not green?” There are many reasons why your lawn may be struggling, but don’t worry – there are ways to help! This article covers some common causes of lawn discoloration and thinning, and it gives you tips on how to correct the problem. So read on to learn more about how to green-up your lawn and keep it healthy!
Lawns Need Nutrition!
One common reason for a yellow lawn is lack of nutrients. Just like any other plant, grass needs food to grow – and when it doesn’t get enough, it will start to turn yellow.
- Overfertilizing makes your grass grow too fast, causing it to use up its food stores quickly and turn yellow.
- Underfertilizing will also cause your grass to yellow, as it struggles to find the nutrients it needs in the soil.
- Too many weeds in your lawn can also compete with your grass for nutrients, causing it to yellow.
How To Protect Your Soil
If you think your lawn may be lacking in nutrients, the first step is to have a soil test done. This will tell you what nutrients are present in your soil and how to best amend it for grass growth. Once you know what your lawn needs, you can fertilize accordingly – but be careful not to overdo it! A little fertilizer goes a long way, and too much can damage your grass.
To protect your soil, you can also:
- Mulch around your plants to help keep moisture in and prevent erosion.
- Use a lawn rake to remove thatch (dead grass and other organic matter) from your lawn, which can help improve drainage and prevent diseases.
- Aerate your lawn regularly to improve air circulation and root growth. This is especially important if you live in an area with compacted soils.
Other Ways To Improve Your Lawn
Another common reason for yellow patches in your lawn is grubs or other pests. These little critters can do a lot of damage to your grass, and they’re often hard to spot until it’s too late. If you suspect that pests may be the cause of your yellow lawn, there are a few things you can do.
- Check for signs of pests or grubs, such as dead patches of grass or holes in the ground.
- If you find any pests, remove them by hand or with pesticides.
- Be sure to water your lawn regularly, as this will help keep the roots healthy and make it more difficult for pests to damage your grass.
Diseases can also cause your grass to yellow or die off completely. Some common diseases that affect lawns include brown patch, dollar spot, and powdery mildew. If you notice any of these symptoms in your lawn, it’s important to take action quickly.
- Remove affected plants from the lawn immediately.
- Apply fungicide to the affected area.
- Water your lawn regularly and keep it free of debris to prevent disease from spreading. Follow this link for information on proper watering and seeding methods.
Finally, one of the most common reasons for a yellow lawn is simply using the wrong grass type for your climate. Different types of grasses thrive in different conditions, so it’s important to choose one that will do well in your area. If you’re not sure which type of grass is best for your lawn, talk to a local nursery or landscaper – they’ll be able to help you select the right variety for your needs.
Conclusion
With these tips, you should be well on your way to having a green, healthy lawn in no time! So don’t wait – get out there and start fixing those yellow and thin spots!
