Proper fertilization can help turn your yellow lawn green again – and help it stay that way.
If you notice your beautiful green grass showing yellowish patches, a few factors may be causing this discoloration. Turf diseases, soil and surface feeding insects such as grubs and armyworms, and improper lawn care may cause this particular lawn issue. The following information can help you determine the potential causes of yellowing grass and how you can treat each condition.
The Possible Causes of Yellow Grass Patches
Any grass can turn yellow if experiencing certain conditions. A few of the common causes of yellow patches are:
- Overwatering: This prevents nutrient and oxygen uptake in the roots.
- Overfertilization: Excess nitrogen salts in synthetic fertilizers can burn the leaves of your turfgrass. Signs of overfertilization include the browning of grass blades at the top, yellowing of leaf blades at the base, and fertilizer crust on the soil surface.
- Lawn Diseases: Lawn fungus, dollar spot, and other diseases often manifest as yellow patches.
- Soil insects that feed on grass roots, such as white grubs, and surface feeding insects such as armyworm and sod webworm, feed on grass blades.
- Dog Urine Spots: Dog urine naturally contains high nitrogen compounds, which can cause patches of yellow grass on your lawn.
- Nutrient Deficiency: If you miss fertilizer application in certain areas of your lawn, you will notice faint discoloration.
Adjust Your Watering Routine
To avoid overwatering and help turn your yellow grass green again, only water your lawn when needed. If there is a lot of rain and you notice your grass turning yellow, you may stop watering briefly. In general, it is best to remember to:
- Only water your lawn when the two inches of topsoil is dry
- Ensure you water according to the best plan of your grass type, fine leaf grasses need more watering.
- Water 2-3 times a week if appropriate. If you notice yellow spots, reduce the frequency to 1 or 2 times.
You can talk to a lawn care expert at Scientific Plant Service to determine the best watering schedule for your lawn’s turfgrass.
Treat Lawn Diseases
Lawn diseases can slow the growth of your lawn and produce spotting and wilting of the blades. To turn yellow grass green again, treat any fungal infections or other diseases as soon as symptoms appear using products labeled for lawn diseases.
Reseed Urine Spots
Sometimes yellow patches created by dog urine do not grow back, especially if you wait too long to apply a urine neutralizer. To get rid of the yellowing and dying spots in your lawn, you can reseed or re-sod your yard to help permanent damage recover.
Fertilize When Needed
If you believe your grass is suffering from overfertilization, slow down your applications. You may also want to use a slow-release fertilizer, preferably an organic one. To find the best fertilizer:
- Use a soil test to determine which nutrient is deficient and buy a fertilizer with the right NPK amounts.
- Apply fertilizer according to the specifications on the label.
- Feed your lawn with the appropriate amounts to help nutrient-deficient yellow grass return to a healthy green.
By taking the appropriate actions, you can soon see a healthy green lawn once again.
Scientific Plant Service Is Your Go-To Source In Landscape Healthcare
Scientific Plant Service, located in Baltimore, is a privately owned corporation, chartered in Maryland in 1957 by Frank J. Burke. We started as a full-service Arborists specializing in the care of shade trees and ornamental shrubs, but today we are a Lawn Care company that is a huge part of the community. From aquatic environments and snow management to deer and mole control, SPS has services tailored specifically for your lawn and landscape.
We offer services in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, including: Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Calvert counties in MD, as well as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church in VA. For more information, contact us online, or call us at 410-321-0970. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!