why is my grass turning yellow
There are a number of reasons why grass turns yellow. Some possible reasons include the following:
 
  • Lack of nutrients: Nutrient deficiencies can occur when soil is lacking in the essential elements your grass needs for proper growth and health. These essential elements primarily include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Have a soil test conducted to determine which nutrients are deficient in your soil, then buy a fertilizer that contains the proper amounts of the specific nutrients it lacks.

  • Lowered pH- For grass, the ability to uptake essential nutrients is largely dependent on soil pH. Soil that is too alkaline (generally, above 6.5 pH) can lead to an iron deficiency. Yellow grass caused by elevated soil pH can look identical to a lack of iron overall. Performing a soil test is the best way to determine if your soil’s pH level is to blame for your discolored lawn. 

  • Overheating- Yellowed grass can be a natural response to seasonal change. However, if your grass is exposed to hot and dry periods for too long, the roots can lose all nutrients and not regrow. Adjusting your lawn irrigation schedule to deliver more water less frequently in the weeks before summer encourages the formation of deep roots and helps your grass adapt to summer growing conditions.

  • Drought- It’s common for previously healthy grass to turn yellow or brown when the season’s hot, dry weather conditions cause the grass to go dormant. The grass is forced into survival mode until it can receive water and nitrogen-rich soil once again. If too much time passes in this state, the roots can die off, killing your grass.

  • Cutting it too short too often- Mowing too low can cause your lawn to suffer from stress and prevent the proper uptake of nutrients. Cutting too close to the ground leaves the soil exposed to the air, which draws moisture away from your lawn’s roots. Failing to ensure that your lawnmower is equipped with a sharp blade can cause damage to the individual blades of grass when cut, leaving them open to disease.

If your are experiencing problems with your lawn, contact the lawn care experts from TLC Total Lawn Care, LLC at 800-796-8087.

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