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“Fading or Yellow Lawns”

This is a transition time for our lawns. The most noticeable thing is that some lawns are changing color as we proceed into warm weather. If you are experiencing the color change, do not panic, there are reasonable explanations and actions you can take.

The first instance of color change is being experienced in lawns in the shade where the cool weather grasses grew and looked great this winter. Rescue grass, annual blue grass, and rye grass reseed themselves each year in some lawns in the shade. If you keep them mowed they look great until the hot weather arrives. Now the cool weather grasses are declining quickly as summer approaches.

Action Required – There really is no need for a special response to this color change. The St. Augustine grass under the weed grasses is responding to the rainfall and good growing conditions. As the weed grasses decline the St. Augustine will fill the gap. You can apply a slow release lawn fertilizer to help the St. Augustine along, but do not panic by adding unreasonable amounts of water. Keep the lawn mowed.

The second example of discoloration is due to iron chlorosis. Recognize it by the parallel stripes of yellow and green on the grass blade. This color change can be addressed by adding iron. We have large amounts of iron in our soil, but it is locked up in compounds with phosphorous and other materials characteristic of our alkaline soil. Many lawns will grow through the chlorosis as the soils warm up. Severe iron chlorosis, however, will weaken your lawn.
Action Required - To correct iron chlorosis spray on an iron product like Ferriplus or Iron Plus dissolved in water. A back pack sprayer or even a hose end sprayer works well. For a longer lasting solution mix one cup of iron sulphate (copperas) per bushel of compost and spread it thinly over the lawn.