There is nothing more heartbreaking as a homeowner than seeing your lush and green yard turn yellow. They can be an eyesore, and they may also mean an underlying issue in your soil. But don’t worry, you can cure yellow grass.
Identify the cause
Usually, the yellow lawn comes from extreme weather. Exposure to excessive heat and sunlight all day will dry out your lawn. It stresses the lawn and results in yellow areas. Excess nitrogen also negatively impacts your lawn. Nitrogen is very common in fertilizers. This component is a necessary nutrient to enhance the growth of your lawn. However, too much of it will burn the roots and change the pH of the soil. Disturbance in soil health is one of the root causes of the yellow lawn.
Another source of nitrogen in the lawn is your dog’s urine. Urine has high nitrogen content that can burn spots in the grass. Certain insects and tiny larvae may also be the culprit of the yellow turf. Be sure to investigate your soil. And if you suspect that it is caused by reasons aside from what was mentioned, consider doing a soil test. Once you’ve identified the cause, you can now proceed to cure yellow grass.
Clean the area
Remove excess grass clippings. Left clippings may serve as a breeding ground for pests and other insects. Cleaning the area involves trimming. When mowing, ensure that your blades are sharp. If not, this will damage your grass blades and leave them open and prone to diseases. You may also want to mow slightly lower than your last mow. It will encourage greener shoots to emerge. Therefore, be careful not to cut more than one-third of the height of your lawn. Grass cut too short will surely leave yellow grass behind. Doing regular trimming will aid in ensuring that your roots get their needed sunlight.
Healthy roots that receive an appropriate amount of their needs will prevent yellow grass. Also, maintain the area’s cleanliness by training your dog to relieve themselves only at specific parts of the garden. These parts shouldn’t have any grass, which will be contaminated.
Be mindful of fertilizer.
To cure yellow grass, check out the components of your fertilizer. It may be time to change and use a fertilizer that contains equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Also, be sure to follow the recommended instructions when fertilizing.
Water deeply
Another way to cure yellow grass is to strengthen your lawn’s health to promote deep root growth. To do this, water deeply. Be mindful also of the intervals. Less frequent watering is more optimal than watering frequently. You may water at about ¾ inch of water once a week. An ideal time for watering the lawn is early morning. By doing this, it will decrease the evaporation of water later in the day.
Aerate your soil
If you notice your soil is too compacted, aerate it. It will cure yellow grass. Compacted soil is very common in areas where there is heavy foot traffic. It means that the soil particles have gotten too close and prevents oxygen and water from circulating properly. Aerating the soil will ensure that water can get through the roots. You may do this by using a proper aerator. If not, you can plunge the ground with a garden fork at regular intervals.
Improve the drainage system
Check up on your drainage system. Also, ensure that all areas of your lawn are getting their needed water. Don’t forget the roots. Roots receiving an appropriate amount of water will result in a healthy lawn.
Use treatments
To cure yellow grass caused by soil deficiencies, you may use specific treatments. Apply iron sulfate spray on the affected area. You can spray the solution in the yellow part. Also, follow the directions in the product for successful results. You may also use peat moss and nitrogen-iron products. Just be sure to consult with the proper authorities first not to create further damage to your soil.
Reseed
If the damage is already worst, you can get rid of the spots by re-sodding your lawn. It is very time-consuming. But it will be time well-spent when you see your lawn go back to its lively color of green.
It’s not that complicated. Next time you see yellows in your grass, be sure to follow the steps mentioned. Above all, in no time, your lawn will be back to that picture-perfect color of green.