With the heat and humidity of summer, Bermuda grass can turn brown or yellow. If this happens to your lawn, don’t worry! There are many ways to darken it up and make it green again.
How To Make Bermuda Grass Dark Green
The Bermuda grass in your yard may seem like it’s been there forever and that you can’t do anything about the color.
The truth is, you can make your bermuda grass dark green again with a little effort!
Here are some tips on making your bermuda grass looking green again:
1. Watering
Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid evaporation. Do not water bermuda grass when it is hot and windy as this will cause the water to evaporate quickly and you will have wasted precious water.
2. Aeration
Aerate your lawn every 3-4 years to improve drainage and help prevent thatch build up which can lead to disease.
Aerating also helps roots grow deeper into the soil which improves root growth and darkens the color of bermuda grass blades. If your lawn is heavily compacted, you may want to aerate twice a year for better results.
3. Fertilize
Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring every 2-3 months during the growing season. A good rule of thumb is 1 lb per 1,000 sq ft (or about 1/4 cup per 10 sq ft). Apply more fertilizer if your Bermuda grass is thinning out or if you are noticing an increase in weeds.
If you are fertilizing for the first time, start with half of what is recommended on the package and work up from there until you get desired results (usually 2-3 applications). Make sure not to overfertilize as this will cause your Bermuda grass to turn brown or yellow faster than normal and it will also promote disease growth due to excessive nitrogen levels in your soil!
4. Aerate and Fertilize
Aerate your lawn in the fall to help prevent disease. Apply a slow-release fertilizer at this time as well because it will not get used up as quickly with cooler weather.
5. Mow Correctly
Mow your bermuda grass at the highest recommended height for your particular variety (usually 2″-3″). If you mow too low, it will grow back thicker and darker than before which can cause stress on the plant and make it more susceptible to disease.
Factors that Affect Color of Your Bermuda Grass Lawn
How much sunlight the grass receives
If your lawn gets a lot of direct sunlight, it will appear greener. If it is shaded for most of the day, it will be more brown or tan in color.
If your lawn gets a lot of direct sunlight, it will appear greener. If it is shaded for most of the day, it will be more brown or tan in color.
How much water you give to the grass
The bermuda grass lawn that is watered regularly and given fertilizers appears greener than one that doesn’t get enough water or fertilizer.
The bermuda grass lawn that is watered regularly and given fertilizers appears greener than one that doesn’t get enough water or fertilizer.
How healthy the grass is
Healthy bermuda grass lawns are usually darker green than those which are unhealthy due to disease, drought, insects, etc..
The season in which you cut your grass
During spring and summer months when there is plenty of rain and humidity in the air, your bermuda grass will have a darker green appearance.
In fall and winter when there aren’t as many hours of sun exposure and less moisture in the air from rain or dew on leaves (which provides additional moisture), your Bermuda Grass Lawn will look lighter in color because there isn’t as much chlorophyll being produced by plants during these seasons.
FAQs
What makes grass really dark green?
The reason why grass is dark green is because of a pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs the energy from sunlight in order to make food for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis.
A lot of chlorophyll in the leaves means they absorb more orange/yellow wavelengths from sunlight than our eyes see so that we see what looks like deep, rich blue-green color on those blades.