Have you ever wondered why some lawns are dark green, and others are yellow? There can be many reasons for this. The bad news is not all of them can be fixed in a day.
To keep your lawn fresh and healthy, you have to know first the reasons why they’re not the dark green color they’re supposed to be. Here are some of those reasons:
1. Lack of Water or Drought Stress
If your lawn is yellow, it could be a lack of water. The lack of water is due to several reasons; one of the biggest is that the soil does not have enough water to hold onto the moisture at its root zone, so the grassroots are not getting the water they need to produce dark green grass.
2. Turf Disease
Diseases are caused by the destruction of grass by fungi, bacteria, and viruses.
The most common turf disease is drought stress. But it could be something else. If you see patches of yellow grass or some areas have no grass at all, it could be a disease.
The best way to find out what is causing your lawn to be yellow is to have it tested by a professional.
3. Improper Mowing
Lawns with a lot of growth will turn yellow if the grass is not cut regularly. When grass is cut short, it will stay green. When it is left to grow longer, it will turn yellow.
Proper mowing is essential because it can damage the grass blades. When this happens, the grass will lose its ability to absorb water and nutrients.
Regular mowing is usually recommended for most grasses. New grasses should be mowed less frequently than “mature” grass.
4. Nutrient Deficiency
When a lawn does not have enough nutrients for healthy growth, it will turn yellow.
The easiest way to fix this problem is to fertilize. When fertilizers are applied in late summer or early fall, the nutrients will be readily available when the grass grows in the spring.
5. Soil Problems
Soil problems are mainly due to poor drainage. Soils that are too compacted or have poor drainage will not hold water long enough for the grass to absorb it.
The best way to fix this problem is to aerate your lawn and then spade or seed the lawn. You may also want to add some organic material to your grass to help soil.
How to Achieve a Dark Green Lawn
The best way to achieve a dark green lawn is to maintain it. This is easier said than done. A healthy and beautiful lawn does not just happen, but it can be achieved with a little work.
Get Rid of Diseases and Insects
The first thing you should do is eliminate any diseases and insects attacking your lawn. Diseases and insects will not only turn your grass yellow, but they will also kill it. If you are unsure what may be causing your yellow grass, you can get it tested.
Aerate Your Lawn
Then, aerate your lawn. Aeration allows the soil to breathe, which helps the roots of the grass to absorb more water. It also helps to break up the compaction of the soil.
Water the Lawn
Next, water the lawn. Water should be applied once a week during the growing season. It should be done in the early morning or evening so that it has time to soak in before the sun dries it up.
When watering, try to water lightly. If you water too hard, the water will flow over the grass blades, not into the soil.
Fertilize Your Grass
During the growing season, fertilize your grass. At the beginning of the season, use a fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content. A high phosphate and potash fertilizer should be applied during the middle of the season. Finally, a high potassium fertilizer should be applied at the end of the season.
Conclusion
Knowing the reasons your lawn isn’t dark green is important. With that, you can do things to turn it dark green. Mowing your lawn properly and watering it at the right times will help keep your lawn healthy. All these combined is the best way to have a dark green lawn.
Do you need irrigation systems in Tulsa, OK to keep your lawn fresh and healthy? Extreme Irrigation & Lawn offers sprinkler system repair and installation. Contact us!