There’s nothing more frustrating than spending time on your lawn, only to see it looking yellow, brown, or patchy. Homeowners in Sarnia often ask the same question: why isn’t my grass green?
The truth is, grass can lose its color for several reasons—from lack of nutrients to poor watering habits. Here are the 7 most common culprits and what you can do to bring back that healthy green lawn.
1. Lack of Nutrients
Grass needs nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to stay vibrant. If your soil is nutrient-deficient, the grass will turn pale or yellow. This is one of the most common issues.
Solution: Fertilize your lawn 3–5 times per season using a balanced fertilizer. A soil test can tell you exactly what nutrients are missing.
2. Poor Watering Habits
Overwatering can suffocate roots, while underwatering dries them out. Both cause grass to turn dull.
Solution: Water deeply but less often—about 1 inch of water per week. Morning is the best time to water so the grass dries during the day.
3. Soil Compaction
In Sarnia’s clay-heavy soils, compaction is a big problem. When soil gets packed too tightly, water and nutrients can’t reach the roots.
Solution: Aeration in the spring or fall relieves compaction and helps grass breathe again.
4. Too Much Shade
Grass needs sunlight to produce chlorophyll—the green pigment that makes it look vibrant. Too much shade from trees or structures leads to thin, patchy, pale areas.
Solution: Choose shade-tolerant grass varieties or trim back overhanging trees. In extreme cases, consider switching shaded areas to mulch or groundcover plants.
5. Pest or Disease Problems
Grubs, chinch bugs, and lawn fungi can all cause yellow patches. If only certain spots look bad while the rest of the lawn is green, pests or disease could be to blame.
Solution: Inspect your lawn closely. If you see pests or signs of fungus, call a lawn care company for targeted treatment.
6. Incorrect Mowing
Cutting grass too short stresses the plant and makes it lose its color. On the other hand, letting it grow too long can also cause weak, thin grass.
Solution: Keep your mower blade sharp and set the cutting height to 2.5–3.5 inches depending on your grass type. Never remove more than one-third of the blade at once.
7. Seasonal Stress
In summer heat or during droughts, grass naturally struggles. Even healthy lawns may go dormant and lose their color as a survival mechanism.
Solution: Don’t panic if your grass browns slightly during extreme weather. Keep watering correctly, avoid heavy foot traffic, and it will bounce back when conditions improve.
Quick Reference Chart: Common Causes and Fixes
| Problem | How It Shows Up | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of nutrients | Pale yellow, slow growth | Fertilize regularly, soil test |
| Poor watering | Dry patches or soggy, dull grass | Water 1 inch/week, mornings only |
| Compacted soil | Hard ground, patchy grass | Aerate in spring or fall |
| Shade | Thin, pale areas under trees | Trim trees or plant shade-tolerant grass |
| Pests/disease | Random yellow/brown spots | Inspect and treat as needed |
| Mowing issues | Grass too short or ragged | Mow 2.5–3.5 inches with sharp blade |
| Seasonal stress | Heat/drought browning | Keep watering, avoid heavy use |
Final Word
If your grass isn’t green, don’t worry—it’s usually fixable. In Sarnia, the most common problems are nutrient deficiencies, soil compaction, and poor watering habits. By fertilizing, aerating, mowing correctly, and keeping an eye on pests, you can restore your lawn’s color and keep it healthy all season.
A green, vibrant lawn doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right care, you’ll see results in just a few weeks.