Dry, yellowing grass is usually a sign that your lawn is low on moisture. But what does it mean when this unsightly yellowness specifically appears after you mow the lawn?
A dry lawn with yellowing grass (image source: Wikimedia Commons)
If your grass turns yellow - or even white - within a few days of mowing, it's usually because you were cutting the grass when the weather was too dry for it.
Why does this happen?
Mowing the lawn removes moisture from the grass. If you cut your grass amid a period of hot, sunny weather then your grass won't be able to regain that lost moisture - and dry, yellowing grass is the result.
Mind you, dry weather may not be your only problem. Here are some other issues that may arise from mowing your lawn:
- Blunt mower blades can tear and bruise your grass, leaving it prone to lawn disease.
- Cutting your lawn too short can put a lot of stress on your grass, especially if it's been a long time since you last mowed.
- Filling your lawn with petrol while it's on the grass may create patches of yellow or brown grass if any petrol is spilled.
All of the above may contribute to turning your grass yellow. So what can you do about it?
How to prevent yellow grass after mowing
Watering your lawn on a regular basis will ensure that your grass is getting plenty of moisture. This will help your lawn to stay nice and green.
If your garden sees frequent rainfall, there's no need to water it yourself too. However, during a period of drought, you should water the grass once or twice a week to keep your lawn from drying out. See our Lawn Watering Tips for further advice.
You should also make sure you time your mowing properly. Try not to cut the grass when it's already very dry, and when you do get the mower out of the shed, always follow the one-third rule (i.e. don't cut off more than a third of the grass's length in one go).
Finally, keep your lawn mower blades nice and sharp! This should ensure that you're not smashing up the grass when you mow.
More Lawn Mowing Tips
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