Lawn turns yellow: The most common reasons and how to fix them

As a hobby gardener, you probably dream of a lush green lawn. It has a healthy color, no weeds and grows all year round. In many gardens, however, the reality is different and the lawn discolors over the years. Suddenly you discover yellow spots in the lawn and wonder what caused them.

In this article, we summarize for you how yellow discoloration manifests itself and what causes it. Among other things, we discuss how fertilization, watering and preparations for winter can lead to yellow spots. We also show you how you can prevent and combat yellow discoloration.

Yellow spots in the lawn: It's worth taking a closer look

If you notice a discoloration in your lawn, you should take a close look. There are various types of diseases that manifest themselves in a change in the color of the lawn. They can appear as small or large spots. At the same time, it is also possible that they appear in combination with slime or fungi. If this is the case, then it is probably a lawn disease . But that does not necessarily have to be the case.

Therefore, you should first check the damage. If the blades of grass are intact and just discolored, then it is probably not a disease but a care mistake. In the following chapters, we will summarize for you what the most common causes of yellow spots on the lawn are.

Are you wondering whether the spots are yellow or brown? It is often difficult to say what color they are because the transitions are fluid. However, it is not important because brown and yellow are often used synonymously when talking about discoloration in the lawn.

1. Lawn turns yellow due to incorrect fertilization

In order for your lawn to grow well in the long term, it needs to be fertilized regularly. This gives it the important nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Although you actually want to care for your lawn, fertilizing it can also damage it.

This is the case if you apply too much fertilizer. The lawn cannot metabolize the nutrients, which can cause it to turn yellow. It is also possible that you applied the fertilizer in strong sunlight and it burned. It is therefore advisable to fertilize in the shade and then water the lawn. This allows the fertilizer to penetrate into the soil.

If you don't fertilize your lawn at all, this can also cause it to turn yellow. This is because it lacks important nutrients and cannot grow healthily. If yellow patches appear without fertilization, then there could be a nutrient deficiency.

Before you apply your lawn fertilizer, you should check the appropriate dosage and adjust it to the size of your lawn. Then apply the fertilizer evenly. Another thing that can help you is using a slow-release fertilizer: This gradually releases nutrients into the lawn and prevents over-fertilization.

2. Yellow spots caused by too short or too long watering

A healthy lawn depends on being watered sufficiently. Summer is often very dry: without watering, water shortages can quickly occur. This manifests itself in your lawn burning and turning brown. The grass can even die in extreme dryness and then you have to reseed it.

If it doesn't rain in the summer and the temperatures rise, then you should take action. Water your lawn heavily once or twice a week. This is better than just giving it a little water every day. Make sure to water the lawn early in the morning or late in the evening, when it is not sunny.

You now know that dryness can lead to yellow grass. However, the opposite can also be the case: you have watered your lawn too much over a long period of time. This can also damage it and lead to yellow patches. The water cannot drain away and therefore remains on the lawn. It is therefore important that you keep a close eye on your lawn and adapt your watering to the current conditions.

3. Lawn in winter: Incorrect lawn care leads to yellow discoloration

Winter is a stressful time for your lawn. Temperatures fall below freezing, there is snow on the lawn and the dew makes it very wet. The lower ground temperature is also a challenge for the grass. It can quickly happen that the lawn suffers in winter and you discover damage in spring.

First of all, we recommend that you prepare your lawn as best as possible for winter. This includes not cutting it too short before winter. Leave it at a height of 4 to 5 cm and do not mow when it is already freezing. You should also try not to walk on your lawn when it is frosty or snowy, as it is particularly sensitive at this time of year.

To strengthen your lawn as best as possible for the winter, you should fertilize it again in the autumn. This will provide it with nutrients and strengthen it for the winter. There is a special autumn fertilizer that will prepare your lawn as best as possible for the low temperatures.

At RasenExpert you will find a large selection of autumn fertilizers that will help you strengthen your lawn for the winter. It is also possible to apply a long-term fertilizer in October.

4. Yellow spots caused by too short cut grass

Mowing the lawn is certainly part of your ongoing lawn care. However, if you cut your lawn too short, it can lead to yellow patches. This is because you are removing the top protective layer and your lawn will be more sensitive to sunlight and waterlogging. Depending on the type of lawn, you should leave it 3 to 5 centimeters high.

Would you like to find out more about mowing the lawn? On our blog you will find many helpful articles on how to mow properly.

5. Acidic soil: This is how the pH value leads to brown or yellow lawn

Not only incorrect care, but also unfavorable soil conditions can cause yellow spots in the lawn. These occur when the soil in your garden is too acidic. Lawns grow best at a pH value of 5.5 to 6.5. The lower the value, the more acidic the soil. You can easily check this with a pH soil test. This will show you whether your soil is too acidic: If this is the case, you should lime it - with lawn lime you can balance out a pH value that is too acidic.

6. Yellow spots in the grass caused by lawn diseases

Lawn diseases can also be hidden behind yellow spots in the grass. Often it is pests that are responsible for the poor condition of your lawn. These include, for example, grubs . These are the larvae of the cockchafer: they eat the roots of the lawn. The larvae of other insects, such as the meadow crane fly, also eat lawn roots.

You can remove them by scarifying your lawn. Alternatively, you can wash visible grubs to the surface and collect them with a strong watering. Nematodes can also be used because they eat the larvae. What is often left behind is a chaotic lawn with bare patches that need to be re-seeded.

7. Discoloration caused by your pets' urine

Do you have a dog? Does it regularly mark your garden with its urine? Then it could be responsible for the yellow stains. Pet urine has a high nitrogen content - this can cause yellow stains in the grass. Ideally, your dog will choose a different place to do its business over time. You can rinse these spots with water to dilute the urine.

Conclusion: You can prevent the most common causes of yellow spots in the lawn with the right care

As you've learned in this article, there are a number of reasons why your lawn may turn yellow. Many of these are due to improper care. So stay vigilant and try to meet your lawn's needs as best as possible. In many cases, if the cause of the yellowing is addressed, the lawn will recover without any problems.