Bermudagrass Turning Yellow? Here's How to Fix It

Bermudagrass is known for its dense growth and beautiful dark green color—a preferred option for residential lawns and sports fields. However, when bermudagrass starts turning yellow, it's more than simply a cosmetic issue—it can signal an underlying problem. Factors such as poor maintenance, nutrient deficiencies, pest infestations, and even localized issues like soil compaction or poor drainage can all contribute to yellowing grass. These problems can spread if left unaddressed, leading to brown patches, thinning turf, or even dead grass.

Addressing the issue helps restore your lawn's green color while presenting an opportunity to rejuvenate weak or thinning areas. Planting grass plugs and using NutriPod grass fertilizer can help strengthen your lawn, supporting new growth and long-term health.

Understanding Why Your Grass Is Turning Yellow

Grass turning yellow can result from multiple factors, including environmental conditions, lawn care habits, and soil health. Some common causes include nutrient imbalances, poor drainage, pests, and disease.

For homeowners in cooler climates, winter dormancy can be a reason for yellowing grass. However, if you live in Florida, this is rarely an issue. As a warm-season grass, bermudagrass remains active most of the year in temperate climates. Identifying the cause is crucial to restoring your lawn’s health and preventing further damage.

Regular lawn maintenance, including proper watering, mowing, and fertilization, is key to keeping your lawn green and resilient. A yellow or brown lawn can be unsightly and affect your property’s overall appearance, making it important to take proactive steps to maintain healthy grass.

Common Causes of Yellow Grass and Solutions

Bermudagrass may turn yellow for several reasons. Identifying the root cause is the first step in fixing the problem.

1. Watering Issues

• Lack of water can dehydrate grass, causing yellow patches and brittle grass blades. Give your lawn about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, spread over one to two deep watering sessions.

• Overwatering can lead to poor drainage and root rot, which weakens grass roots and turns the lawn yellow or brown. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage strong root growth.

2. Soil Problems

• Soil pH imbalance can prevent the grass from absorbing essential nutrients. Although optional, a soil test can help determine pH levels and adjust as needed. Bermudagrass thrives in a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 5.8 to 7.0.

• Nitrogen deficiency can cause grass blades to turn yellow. Applying a balanced fertilizer can restore the green color and improve turf health.

• Compacted soil prevents proper root growth, leading to weak, yellow grass. Aeration helps relieve compaction and improves oxygen and nutrient flow.

3. Pests and Diseases

• Chinch bugs and white grubs damage grass roots, leading to yellow or brown patches. Use an appropriate treatment for the specific pests. Apply it as directed, focusing on affected areas for effective control.

• Fungal diseases like dollar spot or brown patch thrive in overly moist conditions. Proper aeration and fungicide applications can help prevent disease outbreaks.

4. Thatch Buildup

• A thick thatch layer can prevent water and nutrients from reaching grass roots, causing yellowing. Dethatch when it exceeds half an inch, ideally in spring, to promote a healthier lawn.

5. Poor Drainage

• Standing water or soggy soil can indicate poor drainage, contributing to root rot and yellow patches. Installing a French drain or improving soil structure with organic matter can help manage excess moisture.

Pet-Related Issues

Another common cause of yellow or brown patches in bermudagrass is pet urine. Dog urine contains high nitrogen levels, which can burn the grass and leave yellow spots behind.

• Train your pet to go in a designated area to localize damage. Consistently guiding them to the same spot will help protect the rest of your lawn from yellow patches.

• Supervise potty breaks so you can rinse affected spots with water after they urinate. This helps dilute the nitrogen in their urine, preventing it from burning the grass.

• Move potty breaks away from your lawn altogether by using a dog-friendly solution like Gotta Go Grass. This indoor grass pad for dogs provides a convenient potty area while keeping your lawn green and healthy.

Lawn Care Mistakes That Cause Yellow Grass

Mistakes in lawn care can also contribute to yellowing bermudagrass, often worsening the problem over time. Mowing too short, improper watering, and neglecting soil health can weaken the grass, leading to yellow or brown patches. Over-fertilizing or using the wrong type of fertilizer can cause nutrient imbalances, while compacted soil and thick thatch layers prevent roots from accessing essential water and nutrients. Identifying these issues early and adjusting your lawn care routine can help restore your bermudagrass to its healthy green color. Here’s what to avoid and how to fix it:

• Mowing too short – Cutting grass too low removes too much of the leaf blade, making it more vulnerable to heat stress and weakening the root system. This can cause the grass to turn yellow and struggle to recover, especially in hot weather.

• Dull lawn mower blades – Torn or jagged grass blades lose moisture quickly, making them more susceptible to yellowing and disease. Uneven cuts can also give the lawn a rough, unhealthy appearance over time.

• Overwatering – Too much water drowns the roots, reducing oxygen levels in the soil and promoting fungal growth. This weakens the grass, causing it to turn yellow and become more vulnerable to other stressors.

• Neglecting fertilization – A lack of essential nutrients can result in weak, pale grass with poor growth. Without proper fertilization, the lawn may develop yellow or thin patches that struggle to recover.

How to Fix Yellow Grass

The first step to restoring your lawn’s green color is to check if the grass is dormant, as bermudagrass naturally turns yellow in colder months. If dormancy isn’t the cause, adjust your watering habits to ensure deep, infrequent watering rather than frequent shallow watering, which can weaken roots.

Improving soil conditions through aeration helps relieve compaction, allowing water and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively. Fertilization replenishes essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, which promotes rich green growth. Additionally, inspect for pests or diseases, as infestations from chinch bugs or fungal infections can cause yellowing. While optional, a soil test provides valuable insights into nutrient deficiencies and pH imbalances, helping you apply the proper amendments to restore soil health and support lush, green growth.

• Water properly – Provide 1-1.5 inches of water per week, watering deeply once or twice a week to encourage strong root growth.

• Mow correctly – Follow the one-third rule, never removing more than a third of the grass blade at a time. Bermudagrass tolerates lower mowing heights, but adjust seasonally—mow shorter in peak growth months for a dense lawn and slightly higher in cooler or stressful conditions to support root health.

• Aerate and dethatch regularly – Aerate at least once a year to improve oxygen flow and dethatch when buildup exceeds half an inch.

• Conduct soil tests – Testing soil every 1-2 years helps identify deficiencies and pH imbalances.

• Fertilize wisely – Use a balanced fertilizer to supply essential nutrients and prevent grass from turning yellow.

A well-maintained lawn is visually appealing and more resilient to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. Proper care prevents soil compaction and thatch buildup, keeping your lawn green and healthy year-round.

Using NutriPod Grass Fertilizer for New Growth

If you're repairing damaged areas with new bermudagrass plugs, NutriPod grass fertilizer can help accelerate growth and promote healthier turf. With a 17-1-10 NPK ratio, it provides essential nutrients to support strong root establishment, ensuring your plugs take hold quickly and thrive.

Applying NutriPod during planting helps new grass plugs spread up to two times faster, filling bare spots more efficiently. Strong root development also makes your lawn more resilient to stress, reducing the risk of yellowing and improving overall turf health.

Final Thoughts

A yellow lawn is more than just an aesthetic concern—it’s a sign that something may be wrong with your grass. By identifying the underlying cause and taking corrective action, you can restore the vibrant green color of your grass and prevent further damage. Whether it’s adjusting your watering routine, addressing soil health, or repairing pet-related damage, proactive lawn care will keep your bermudagrass healthy, lush, and resilient.

Give your new grass plugs the best start with NutriPod grass fertilizer. Its balanced formula supports strong root establishment and accelerates growth, helping your lawn recover faster and stay green longer.