The rain this year has greatly benefitted a lot of lawns in our area. The bright color and healthy appearance reminds me of years when we tossed a blanket on the lush green carpet before settling down to a late meal and a fabulous fireworks display.

Regrettably, not every lawn is lush and green this year. I’ve had several phone calls and emails from people wanting to know why their lawn is yellow or brown even though they have fertilized and watered it as they normally do. The first thing I ask them to do is take a soil sample and send it off to the NCDA&CS Agronomic Division lab where it can be analyzed for pH and nutrient availability.

The one thing I have found to be consistent, in most cases, is a low level of potassium in the soil. Potassium is a nutrient that is used in almost every aspect of plant growth from the tips of the roots to the top of the shoots. If there isn’t enough potassium in the soil, the grass just can’t grow lush and green like it’s supposed to.

If your grass is struggling, don’t just assume this is the problem. Analysis and inspection have also found instances of ground pearls, mole crickets, soil compaction, and nematodes to be contributors to the poor looking grass. It’s important to diagnose the issue before treating it.