If you're a lawn owner in Rochester or Winona, MN, you've probably had your share of questions regarding what is and isn't normal for your grass. Harsh winters followed by hot, blazing summers leads to a lot of fluctuation in color, brittleness, and quantity of the grass in your yard. Our Minnesota weather means it can be difficult to know if you should react to abnormalities on your own, or if you should get a professional lawn care service such as Maier Tree and Lawn involved.
What counts as a worry-spot and what can be overlooked?
As you may expect, dark green grass that is consistently thick and lush throughout the expanse of a yard is a safe indicator of good lawn health. Be aware though that different types of grass do have different base colors. Green is good, but just because your neighbor has a slightly darker green doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with your lawn care; it might just be from a different seed! This is also true of the “softness” of the grass and how well it withstands varying temperatures. Healthy grass can come in many forms!
As for yellowing grass, it may or may not be a problem. Residents of Rochester and Winona know that yellowing is to be expected with the seasonal transitions, but premature yellowing or distinct yellow spots can tell a different story. Some causes of yellow spots could include pet-potty-spots, a lack of adequate water, too few nutrients in the soil, or too much heat. Regular watering and the application of lawn fertilizer can help with many of these issues, so don't get too worried if your blades are looking a little pale.
Brown spots are a classic indicator of poor lawn health, but even they can be dealt with if you have the right strategy. It's also important to keep in mind that some types of healthy grasses do go through natural stages of dormancy where they “shut down” to gain protection from damaging weather conditions. Brown doesn't necessarily mean dead, but it generally does indicate “keep an eye on me.” Brown, brittle grass can be the result of improper watering, dull or overly-close mower blades, or chemical damage. In more extreme cases, brown spots, or even perpetually yellow spots, may be caused by insects or disease. In these cases it's a good rule of (green) thumb to get a professional involved.
Some problems can be addressed with a little more attention or sharpened mower blades, but others can be stubborn and mysterious. Take note of ongoing irregularities and check in with the lawn health specialists at Maier Tree and Lawn if you can't figure out what your grass is trying to tell you. If you're in Rochester or Winona, MN and need some help or have some lawn-related queries, feel free to contact us by phone or browse our website!
