Reasons Why Your Lawn Isn't Green

If you have a lawn, your goal is for it to be lush and green. Home and property owners spend countless hours worrying about their turf grass and sometimes vast amounts of money trying to keep their lawns healthy. Turf grass is a hardy plant, but it can be tricky to stay healthy all year long, depending on several factors. 

Let's face it; your lawn takes a lot of beating between the natural elements, pests, and irrigation issues, and maintaining a healthy lawn can seem impossible. If your yard isn't green, it shows that it needs attention. Here are some top reasons why your grass isn't lush and green. 

1) Irrigation Considerations

Grass requires regular watering for optimum growth and its healthy, green color. While summer-active grass species may survive the heat and drought of summer, their green may fade, which makes them appear drab and lifeless. Finer-leaf grasses that thrive in cooler seasons require much higher volumes of water, especially if the temperature remains high. 

Your irrigation system may need to be adjusted or redesigned to ensure all lawn areas receive the correct water at the right time. Otherwise, you may see dry, brown patches begin to emerge, especially in hot weather.

2) Excessive Thatch Can Diminish A Lawn's Green Color

Thatch is a runner produced by all turf grasses that die and then replace themselves with new cells. Like runners, thatch dies and then has new growth on top of dead growth, creating layers. These layers slow down water infiltration from the surface to the roots and provide an ideal home for insects and fungal spores. Thatch can also cause the grass to be less green as it scuffs and leaves scalped patches in the turf. 

3) Poor Nutrition 

Turf grass requires proper nutrition to thrive. If your soil lacks the nutritional elements needed to support healthy grass, it can reduce the uptake of minerals and other dietary components that the grass needs to grow. If the soil has an imbalanced PH range, that too will lead to poor absorption of critical minerals, which leads to the grass becoming yellowed, weak, and prone to disease. Professional lawn care specialists can determine if your soil is the reason for your lawn's appearance and get it back on the right track. 

4) Mowing Factors Into The Equation

The height you mow your lawn is a critical component of its health. Mowing heights will depend on the turf grass you have, and the mower you use will also determine the frequency of cutting. The general rule is to cut the grass at regular intervals and only remove one-third of the leaf tip with mowing. This practice will ensure that excessive amounts of grass aren't removed and that it will stay healthy and green.

Seek Professional Lawn Care Advice

If you have problems keeping your lawn lush and green, consult your local lawn care company for advice. Turf grass is affected by many elements that are sometimes out of our control and others well within our ability to correct.