If a uniform, dark green lawn is what you’re aiming for (as most homeowners are), I understand your frustration if some portions of your lawn have started turning into a lighter shade of shade of green or even yellow.
Even worse, you might’ve tried all the tricks in your book to rectify the situation, but none of them have worked, which has left you wondering, “Why is my grass different shades of green?”
Well, you’ve come to the right place for a solution. Over the last couple of days, I’ve been rounding up a variety of associated tips (and potential causes) to help you find an answer to your predicament. Without further ado, let’s jump right into this.
Why Is My Grass Different Shades of Green?
The Lawnmower Effect
First and foremost, the issue might be a scientific phenomenon caused by your lawnmower, so do not panic just yet.
Have you ever asked yourself why football pitches have grasses that appear to be split between two different shades, dark and light green? Well, that’s thanks to the lawnmower effect, which describes the movements of a lawnmower as it travels in distinct directions while cutting grass.
If the lawnmower’s blades cut in distinct directions, angles of reflected light scatter as well, which results in the difference in depth. Perhaps this might be the same scenario causing your grass to have different shades of green.
Weeds
Now that the natural phenomenon is out of the way, we can delve deeper into the guide and discuss issues your grass might be facing. The part of your grass that doesn’t seem to match with the rest of your grass may be affected by a parasitic weed.
Weeds can be a pain to deal with if you’ve never experienced them before. If you have tricks to handle these green aggressors, however, getting your lawn back to a uniform shade of green shouldn’t be a hassle.
With that in mind, first, you’ll need to ensure you uproot all perennial weeds before laying your lawn. That said, chances are you’ve already laid your lawn, so the only choice you have now is to try your best and get rid of any weed as well as any visible roots.
Ideally, wait several days and repeat the procedure, and after some time, the weed should stop appearing altogether.
Blackleg
Another main reason for grass having different shades of green is blackleg, an infection of grass stem cuttings that turns green grass into a yellowish-green shade.
Blackleg most usually develops during periods of excess rains or when dealing with thickened crops and plants. That explains why of all grass varieties, bentgrass is arguably the most sensitive to the disease.
What’s more? Note that blackleg pathogens can affect both underground and overground parts of your young grass, and the primary source of infection is usually plant residues either on the surface or in the soil.
Even worse, if you do not act urgently after noticing blackleg symptoms, chances are it’ll affect the rest of your lawn.
Also, note that animal feces and building debris buried in the soil can give portions of your grass a yellow-greenish shade, thanks to the chemical composition of their waste.
Lack Of Sufficient Sunlight
Is there a huge tree or fence next to the portion of your grass that lacks a uniform green shade? If yes, then the chances are that the tree or fence obstructs the grass’s path to receiving the vital sun rays it needs to stay energetic and vibrant.
Poor Grass Seed Germination
More often than not, the issue of grasses in the same area developing different shades of green can be attributed to grass seeds that didn’t germinate correctly. If you’ve eliminated all other probable reasons on this guide and this is the remaining one, consider the following:
- Did you cover the sown land with a net? If not, the germinating seeds could’ve been pecked away by birds
- Is it possible the harmonious development of your grass seedlings was affected by extreme weather patterns, such as heavy rains or droughts?
- Could most grass be suffering due to not receiving sufficient nutrients while germinating? This usually happens if the soil was wrongly dug and the planters turned the subsoil upwards.
Inappropriate Organic Compost
Do you tend to gravitate toward organic composts instead of fertilizers? If yes, then chances are the reason behind your grass’ lack of lushness is your inexperience.
As a golden rule, when applying organic compost, ensure you spread it evenly and do not use too decomposed manure mulches, as they can not only fill your garden with uneven color and unpleasant odors, but they can also burn the meadow.
Excess Chemical Fertilizers
Poor distribution or an overdose of mineral fertilizers with too much nitrogen tend to cause yellowing and burns to grass. With that in mind, if you think that this is the reason behind the different shades of green on your grass, the only trick you can employ is to water the grass copiously over an extended period.
You’ll also need to learn about proper fertilizer practices, so you do not repeat the mistake in the future.
Fungal Diseases
Fungal diseases in grass tend to appear in isolated spots that seem to increase. That said, the fact that they are usually so varied makes them quite a pain to manage.
If you notice that a fungal disease has attacked your grass, your best bet is to consult with specialists in your locality or reach out to a neighbor who’s well versed on the subject.
Final Thoughts
There are hundreds of possible answers to your question, “Why is my grass different shades of green?”, so this is by no means an exhaustive list. That said, I can confidently say that the chances that one of the issues above is responsible for your grass issue are well over 70 percent.
With that in mind, if you’ve tried everything and that still hasn’t fixed your issue, do not hesitate to get a proper diagnosis from an expert in your area.