Everyone knows that grass is green, but did you know that your grass can change color slightly throughout the year? The color of the grass depends on the environmental conditions: how much sun and rain it receives and what the soil is like. Most subtle color changes are harmless, but if your lawn appears to be changing color drastically, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Below are some colors your lawn may have and what they mean.
dark green
Dark green grass is a sign that it is producing too much chlorophyll; this is a sign of a healthy plant. It has enough nutrition to produce chlorophyll and thrive. Your lawn may turn a darker green during the spring and summer when it gets a lot of sun, especially if you’ve fertilized during the spring. Make sure your lawn has enough water and you should have a lush, green garden all summer long.
Yellowish
Yellowish grass doesn’t produce much chlorophyll because it doesn’t get enough nutrients from the soil. You may need to use a fertilizer to bring back the green color. The best time to fertilize is during the spring and fall, as this gives the grass time to absorb nutrients before its main growth and ‘sleep’ phases. If the fertilizer doesn’t work, your lawn may have a disease.
Red
A red tint to your lawn can mean a number of things. Sometimes it’s just a sign that the grass isn’t producing much chlorophyll. If your lawn turns red during the fall and winter, wait for the warmer weather to return as this may fix the problem. Some grasses, like ryegrass, have a natural reddish hue, so check to see what species your plant is. Red can also be a sign that the plant is under stress; this could be due to environmental conditions or illness.
orange
The orange color is normally produced by fungi that live on the grass plant. Rust disease, for example, leaves behind orange spores that break off if you rub the grass between your fingers. They are harmful and can kill grass, but usually do not kill it completely. If you have rust disease, you will need to treat your lawn to minimize damage.
Tan color
By the time the grass turns tan, it is most likely dead. Roasted grass has been burned and dried out in the sun, withered due to lack of water, or cut too harshly and succumbed to damage. If you’ve tended to your lawn and it’s still dead, chances are you’ve fallen victim to a disease.
You should always try to ensure your lawn has a healthy growing environment, as this can stop or reverse the color changes you see. Make sure your lawn gets enough water and nutrients and make sure you cut it properly. A stressed turf is prone to weakness and this is when negative (albeit reversible) changes can occur. If nothing works, you should assume your lawn has a disease and investigate it.