It’s said, ‘the grass is always greener on the other side,’ and that can be particularly true if you have a yellow lawn. Yellow lawns are frustrating and sometimes leave homeowners, business owners and tenants alike, scratching their heads.
It turns out there are a few easy diagnoses for what makes once luscious green grass, turn yellow.
Lack of rain and the harsh summer sun aside, what else causes a yellow lawn and most importantly, how do you fix it?
Learn more from the Perth reticulation and irrigation experts at LHP Landscaping + Joel Irrigation.
Your furry friend
Have yourself a precious pooch at home? While it’s great that they go potty outside, it’s worth noting that dog urine and lawns aren’t friends.
This is because dog urine is high in nitrogen, which when met with grass, quickly kills it. It’s here you get the undesirable yellow spots and patches. While it’s not easily possible to stop your dog(s) from weeing on your grass, there are some simple remedies to keep your grass looking green and lush.
What are they?
- Wash the grass down with a hose or bucket on the place where your dog normally goes to the toilet. This will dilute the nitrogen.
- Train your dog to pee in one specific spot to negate the risks of yellow patches here, there and everywhere.
Fertilising frenzy
Too much of a ‘good’ thing can be bad for your lawn. Lawn fertiliser, similar to dog urine, contains nitrogen. Nitrogen is welcomed food for lawns and encourages growth when given in small quantities, only.
Over-fertilising your lawns is a renowned no-no. Why? Because too much can yellow your lawn as a direct result of roots burning up and drying out.
Worried you have over-fertilised your lawn?
- Don’t dismay – instead remove any and all visible signs of fertiliser with water from your hose.
- Dilute the grass by watering frequently (staying water-wise, of course).
With any luck, the excess nitrogen due to over-fertilisation will dilute and your lawn will recover, turning from yellow to green again.
Nutrient depletion
Lawns, just like us, need more than water alone to survive. We’ve touched on the negative impacts of too much nitrogen, but too little of other nutrients can cause your lawn to yellow, too.
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the primary Macronutrients needed to maintain healthy, green lawns. Low or complete lack of these will impact the chlorophyll process, resulting in (you guessed it) an unattractive yellow lawn.
What can you do to fix this?
- Buy a DIY soil test kit to see for yourself your lawn’s nutrient levels.
- If it’s clear that your lawn is lacking in nutrients as evidenced in the DIY soil test, it’s generally safe to top up with fertiliser and plant food.
Addressed the above and you’re still left with a yellow lawn?
It’s time to call in the experts.
LHP Landscaping + Joel Irrigation is your one-stop company to create and maintain beautiful lawns, gardens and landscapes.
Our very own Nedlands irrigation shop have all the products and friendly, expert advice you need to turn your yellow lawns back to gorgeous green.
Need a professional Perth reticulation and irrigation technician?
Contact LHP Landscaping + Joel Irrigation today.