Why Is My Lawn Not Greening Up Yet This Spring?
One of the most common questions we get at Nutra-Green every spring is: “Why isn’t my grass greening up yet?” The answer? It depends. Several factors can influence your lawn’s spring green-up. These include the type of turfgrass you have, your soil’s condition, winter weather, sun exposure, potential diseases, and more. Let’s take a look at what might be causing a slow green-up in your lawn and how to address it.
1. Turf Type Matters
Different grasses green up at different rates: • Centipede and Bermuda(common Bermuda especially) grasses are usually the first to green up after winter. • Zoysia and St. Augustine grasses often take several weeks longer. If your neighbor’s lawn is already green and yours isn’t, it may just be a matter of turf variety.
2. Sunlight and Shade
Lawns in shadier areas tend to stay cooler in early spring. Since turf needs warmer soil temperatures to start growing again, shaded lawns will naturally take longer to green up.
3. Lawn Orientation
A north-facing lawn may have experienced more winter stress or even cold damage. These areas often require additional fertilizer and watering in the spring to recover and promote new growth.
4. Soil Type
If your lawn sits on heavy clay soil, you may see delayed green-up. Clay holds moisture and stays cooler longer, meaning it can take extra time for soil temps to rise to optimal levels for grass growth.
5. Signs of Disease
Did you notice circular patches in your lawn before winter dormancy? This may indicate large patch disease, a fungal issue that slows down green-up in affected areas. These spots may need extra water and nutrients to recover.
6. Drought or Insect Damage
Lawns that went dormant earlier than surrounding yards might have been impacted by drought stress or insects, such as the hunting billbug. These areas will require more attention—water, fertilizer, and time—to regenerate healthy grass.
Don’t Panic—Spring Green-Up Takes Time
It’s completely normal for lawns to green up at different rates based on these variables. At Nutra-Green, we understand that each yard is unique, and we’re here to help diagnose and treat whatever is delaying your lawn’s green-up this spring. Need help getting your lawn back on track? Contact Nutra-Green today for a professional evaluation and customized lawn care plan.
