Common causes of a yellow lawn and how to fix it

7 Minute(s) read

A yellow lawn can be frustrating for any Victorian homeowner. Whether it appears in summer after a stretch of dry heat, in winter when growth slows, or suddenly after heavy rain, yellow grass is usually a sign that your lawn is under stress. The important thing to know is that a yellow lawn isn’t always dead — most often it can be revived with the proper care.

In this article, we’ll explore the most common causes of yellowing, share practical lawn care tips, and explain how to restore your grass to a healthy green colour.

What does yellow grass mean?

Yellow grass is usually a symptom of stress in your lawn rather than permanent damage. In Victoria’s climate, grass may lose its green colour due to overwatering after heavy rain, lack of water during summer, mowing too short, nutrient imbalance, or seasonal dormancy in cooler months. A lawn that looks yellow isn’t always dead. In many cases, the grass crowns and roots are still alive and able to recover.

To check, gently pull on a patch of grass. If the roots remain firmly in the soil and the crown remains intact, your lawn is likely dormant or stressed and can be revived with the right care. If the roots pull away easily or appear dry and brittle, the patch may be dead and need reseeding or new turf. Choosing resilient grass types suited to Victorian conditions, such as TifTuf for low maintenance or Sir Walter Buffalo for shaded areas, can help reduce long-term yellowing and keep your lawn healthier throughout the year.

Common causes of a yellow lawn

A yellow lawn can develop for many reasons, and the key to fixing it is knowing the cause. The most common lawn problems in Victoria include overwatering, drought stress, mowing too low, nutrient deficiencies, pests, and seasonal dormancy.

Lawns need deep watering rather than frequent shallow sprays. Agriculture Victoria also highlights how pests such as sting nematodes can cause yellow patches that don’t respond to fertiliser or water.

How to fix yellow grass and patches

Once you know what is causing your yellow lawn, you can quickly return it to a healthy green colour. In Victoria’s climate, success often comes down to watering correctly, maintaining good soil health, and choosing the right turf variety for your conditions. For example, TifTuf Bermuda is highly drought-tolerant, Eureka Kikuyu recovers quickly from damage, and Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo holds colour better through winter.

Here are the steps you can follow to fix yellow grass and patches:

1. Check soil moisture – Test the soil a few centimetres below the surface to see if it is too dry or waterlogged.
2. Adjust watering schedule – Water deeply but less often to encourage strong grass roots.
3. Fertilise your lawn – Apply a balanced fertiliser during the growing season, and add iron if yellowing is linked to iron deficiency.
4. Aerate compacted soil – Relieve compaction so air, water, and nutrients can reach the grass roots.
5. Sharpen mower blades and raise mowing height – Cutting with blunt blades or mowing too low can cause grass tips to turn yellow.
6. Inspect for pests and diseases – Check for lawn grubs, nematodes, or fungal problems and treat as needed.
7. Re-turf dead areas – If patches are truly dead, replace them with new turf to restore your lawn.

Why is my lawn turning yellow in summer or winter

Seasonal changes are among the most common causes of yellowing in Victorian lawns. During summer, extended dry spells and high temperatures can cause drought stress, while in winter, many warm-season grasses naturally enter dormancy and lose some of their green colour. Some turf varieties hold their colour better than others — for instance, Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo maintains a stronger winter colour, while TifTuf Bermuda is highly resilient in summer heat.

Summer causes:

• Insufficient watering during hot, dry conditions
• Cutting the lawn too short, causing the grass to burn
• Fertiliser applied in high heat, leading to stress or scorch

Winter causes:

• Natural dormancy of warm-season grass varieties
• Slower growth and nutrient uptake in cooler temperatures
• Less sunlight in shaded areas, leading to yellowing patches

Why is my grass turning yellow after heavy rain?

Heavy rain or frequent storms in Victoria can cause yellow patches to appear almost overnight. Excess water fills the spaces in the soil that usually hold air, which leads to suffocated roots and poor lawn health. Overly wet conditions also encourage fungal diseases that show up as spreading yellow or brown patches. Poor soil structure and compaction can worsen waterlogging and increase the risk of long-term turf damage.

Common issues after heavy rain include:

• Waterlogged soil is reducing oxygen to the grass roots
• Nutrient leaching, where essential minerals wash away
• Fungal outbreaks are encouraged by damp conditions
• Shallow root growth from constantly wet soil

To reduce the risk, improve lawn drainage, avoid watering until the soil dries, and consider aerating compacted areas.

Preventing yellow patches on your lawn

The best way to fix a yellow lawn is to prevent it from turning yellow in the first place. Preventing yellow patches on your lawn comes down to good lawn care, choosing the best grass for your conditions, and regular maintenance.

Tips for preventing yellow grass:

• Water correctly – Avoid giving your lawn too much water. Water deeply but less often, so roots grow strong and hold onto water between rains. This ensures your lawn gets enough water without becoming soggy.
• Fertilise seasonally – Apply fertiliser during the growing season to supply nutrients. Take care not to over-fertilise, which may cause the grass to turn yellow or brown.
• Mow regularly at the right height – Regular mowing at 2–5 cm keeps grass blades healthy. Cutting too low stresses the lawn and may cause spots in the lawn.
• Aerate compacted soil – Relieve compaction so water and nutrients reach the grass underneath.
• Monitor pests and lawn diseases – Lawn grubs, fungal problems, or even dog urine can cause yellow patches. Early treatment reduces damage.

Restore your lawn to a lush green colour

Due to stress, pests, or seasonal dormancy, yellow lawns can almost always be revived. Once you learn how to fix the common causes of yellowing, your grass can bounce back to its vibrant green colour. Watering properly, fertilising when needed, mowing at the right height, and treating pests early give your lawn the best way to avoid recurring problems.

If parts of your lawn are truly dead, laying new turf may be the quickest way to restore a green lawn that suddenly looks full again. Using high-quality turf like Eureka Kikuyu for fast repair, TifTuf Bermuda for drought tolerance, or Sir Walter Buffalo for winter colour will help restore your lawn to its lush green condition.

No matter the cause of yellow grass, Lilydale Instant Lawn has the turf and advice to help restore your lawn and keep it looking healthy. Explore our turf range to find the best grass for your lawn environment and restore its vibrant green colour.