A dense and verdant lawn can improve curb appeal and make outdoor spaces more enjoyable. However, your yard may occasionally develop problems that cause the grass to lose its green hue. Fortunately, there are several ways to restore the turf's appearance and help it recover. Here's why your grass might become discolored and what a professional lawn care company can do to help.

What Makes Lawns Lose Their Green Color?

1. Drought Stress

When lawns become dehydrated due to inadequate irrigation or minimal precipitation, grass may show signs of drought stress. In addition to curling blades and footprints that linger after walking on the turf, your yard might turn yellow, tan, or brown. 

When this happens, watering longer during each irrigation session can hydrate and restore the turf's appearance. In Southern California, this typically means running sprinklers for about 20–30 minutes twice weekly.

2. Grubs

Grubs are the larval stage of beetles. Typically white, plump, and C-shaped, these insects feast on grass roots beneath the soil, causing large patches of lawns to die and turn brown. 

You may positively identify a grub infestation by attempting to lift the turf in one of the brown patches. If it pulls up with ease, this likely means grubs have consumed the roots that would otherwise anchor it to the earth. A lawn care company can treat your yard with grub control products to eliminate these critters. Additionally, they may provide grass seeding to help new turf grow in dead spots. 

3. Improper Mowing

Mowing grass too short can deplete its energy reserves, causing it to dry out, die, and turn yellow or brown. You can prevent this by adhering to the recommended mowing heights for your turf species. For instance, warm-season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia must remain about one to three inches tall at all times. You can avoid over-trimming by removing only the top third of growth during each mowing session. 

4. Nitrogen Deficiency 

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient that gives grass its beautiful green hue. If your yard's soil develops a nitrogen deficiency, the turf may become uniformly yellow and turn brown along the edges of the blades. 

A lawn care company can use a broadcast spreader to apply a nitrogen-rich fertilization product to your yard. As grass roots absorb this nutrient, the blades will gradually become verdant again. 

Restore the color, beauty, and health of your lawn with help from Lawn Doctor of Walnut Creek-Concord. They provide professional lawn care, including grub control, grass seeding, and fertilization, for clients throughout Contra Costa County, CA. Visit the website to learn more about their lawn maintainer program, or call (925) 294-0333 to schedule a free lawn evaluation.