If you want to get green grass, or want some tips on keeping your grass green throughout the summer, then we have loads of tips for you! Greensleeves are experts in lawn care and know all the industry-tips to help you get beautifully green grass.
Diagnosing the Problem
Healthy grass is naturally a lush green colour, so if your lawn is yellow, dull or otherwise discoloured, it means that something isn’t quite right. Once you work out what’s causing your grass discolouration then you should be able to easily fix the problem and get beautiful green grass!
Dried Out Grass
If it’s been a period without much rain, then it could be that the soil has become dried out and your grass isn’t getting the water it needs. This is one of the most common reasons grass will appear yellow during hot summers.
To get green grass again, you just need to give your lawn a bit of moisture! It’s recommended that you water your grass every 7-10 days during dry periods in the summer in order to keep it healthy and therefore green — although this will depend on your variety of soil. Read more of our tips on watering later in the blog!
Sun scorched grass
Sun scorching is the second most common cause of grass discolouration during the summer. The best way to deal with sun scorching is through prevention. Mow your lawn on a higher setting during the warmer months so it’s thicker and better protected, keep it hydrated and ensure your soil can drain properly.
If your grass is already sun scorched, it means that it may have died. You will have to plant new grass seeds in the damaged patches. New shoots are more susceptible to sun damage so you’ll have to be careful with timing your sowing.
In extreme situations, where scorching has damaged the entire lawn, it might be that you need to renovate the entire lawn. This would be expensive, so it’s a good idea to have an expert take a look before jumping to any extreme solutions!
Thin grass
Thin grass could look less green than a thick and healthy lawn because it doesn’t have the same volume of grass to create a lush colour. It should be fairly easy to see if your grass is on the thin side; can you easily see the soil when looking at the grass? A healthy lawn will cover the earth beneath completely.
It’s easy to tackle this problem with a seeding treatment. The best time of year to reseed is in the spring or autumn. You’ll want to make sure you don’t do it when the weather’s too hot as new growth is susceptible to sun damage so could be quickly killed by the heat! It’s also vital that new grass is kept watered and the soil hydrated to allow it to grow effectively.
Dull Blade Lawn Mowing
If you’re mowing your lawn with dull blades, it can result in browning on the very tops of the plants. A sharp blade will cut cleanly through the leaves while a dull blade will tear the top of the plant, causing stress. You’ll notice that just the tips of the grass blades are brown.
You just need to change the blades on your lawn mower so they’re sharper. Your grass will then look much greener after mowing.
Weeds
Weeds can make your grass look discoloured. Even weeds that are green (as most common turf weeds are) will be a different shade of green to your grass and therefore cause it to look less healthy and lush.
Broadleaf weeds, for example, are often dark green in colour. You can apply a herbicide to these weeds. This is most effective when done while the weed is growing so the herbicide is absorbed into the whole plant…
Lack of nutrients
If your grass looks dull, and none of the other problems listed here seem to be the issue, then it might be that it’s lacking in nitrogen or other nutrients.
Fertilising your lawn is the solution and it’s a lot more important than people realise! Grass needs a variety of different nutrients in order to grow healthily, which results in green grass. You should fertilise your lawn at least once in spring, summer and autumn with a fertiliser tailored to the season ahead.
This helps to ensure that grass grows a lovely bright green colour all year around and you don’t have the problem of yellow or dull discolouration.
Watering
Watering your lawn in the summer is one of the most important ways you can get green grass and maintain it. We have some top tips to help you water effectively.
Watering Compact Soil
If you’re watering your grass, but the soil is compact and hard, then the watering might not be very effective. It’s important that water from above can soak downwards to reach the roots and drain through the soil effectively.
If your soil is compact and dry, it can create a seal that prevents water soaking down. This can cause waterlogging, but also prevents the roots from getting all the moisture they need.
The solution is an aeration treatment. Hollow tine or spiking both work to create holes in the earth, reducing compaction and allowing water to penetrate the ground. It will make your watering much more effective and ensure your plants get all the moisture and nutrients they need.
When to Water?
If it rains, you won’t need to water your lawn, but during hot and dry periods it is essential in order to keep your grass green. The RHS recommends watering every 7-10 days, but it will depend on your soil type. Clay soils are better at retaining water than sandy soils so would need watering less often, while very sandy soils need watering more. New grass growth might also need watering more often to keep it healthy.
It’s also a good idea to water your lawn first thing in the morning or in the evening when the day is due to be hot. This ensures that the water doesn’t immediately evaporate!
By following our top tips you should be able to get beautifully green grass! If you want extra advice or help from a professional, get in touch with Greensleeves today.
