Many homeowners know and loathe the struggle of working diligently to maintain healthy grass only to see different shades of green, yellow, and brown decorate their lawns. You’re not alone if your grass can’t seem to decide between light green, dark green, and straight-up brown.
A few key problems might be at play, all of which you can remedy by seeking professional lawn care services like those from Sodlawn.
Let’s explore some of the reasons your lawn might be different shades of green and what you can do about it.
Some slight variation in the color of your lawn is probably nothing to worry about. But if your lawn looks like a mosaic of rich, healthy green grass, patches of yellow and light green grass, and dead spots, one of the following problems is likely to blame.
Grass needs a consistent supply of water to grow continuously. If your lawn isn’t getting enough water, you may see grass turning yellow or notice grass blades beginning to wilt and lighten. Eventually, unless you fix the problem, they will become brown and die.
“If some parts of your lawn are greener than others, it could be a watering issue,” says the Sodlawn expert, Amber Ayers. “Check to make sure all areas of your lawn are getting equal amounts of water regularly.”
Remember that areas in direct sunlight might need more water than others, as they likely get dried out faster.
Just like your body, your lawn needs nutrients to survive. A deficiency of one or more nutrients can have a visible impact on your lawn’s health.
Nitrogen is one key micronutrient that affects lawn color; too little of it usually leads to yellow grass that grows unevenly.
Lawns with alkaline soil are also prone to iron deficiencies, which may cause yellow or “bleached” spots throughout your lawn. Conduct a soil test and add appropriate fertilizers to restore a healthy nutrient balance on your lawn.
Your grass is green thanks to a handy pigment called chlorophyll. Without it, plants wouldn’t be able to create food and survive. Chlorophyll molecules attach to the membrane of disc-like structures, known as chloroplast, inside plant cells.
It’s here where photosynthesis, the process where light energy is converted to chemical energy, takes place. But sunlight is a key ingredient in that chemical energy recipe.
Too little sun can cause your grass to appear dark green because it produces more chlorophyll to create the energy it needs. Think of it like a math equation: if chlorophyll, sun, and water create energy, and the energy needs of the grass remain consistent, a drop in one area demands a spike in the others.
That’s why you might see dark patches of grass in areas that are usually shady.
Just as you have to work diligently to maintain your lawn in higher temperatures, you’ll need to adjust your lawn care routine for colder weather.
“Warm-season lawns will turn yellow when soil temperatures hit 55 degrees and below,” adds Ayers, “and [these lawns] will not green up again until spring, when soil temperatures go above 55 degrees.”
Sometimes, the factors causing lawn discoloration may be somewhat out of your control. But you can keep your lawn in prime shape and lessen the impact of natural changes by following these essential lawn care tips.
In addition to doing your best to maintain a healthy lawn, what can you do to keep your grass color consistent and green? First and foremost, make sure you avoid the common problems we’ve already discussed: water your lawn regularly, give it the nutrients it needs, and adjust your care strategy based on the season. These additional tips can help you prevent some of those issues before they arise.
If you’re still not happy with your lawn’s appearance, it might be time to seek the opinion of a lawn care professional. No matter what grass species you’re caring for, a team like Sodlawn can help you get your lawn back on track so you can enjoy lush, vibrant green for years to come.