Spring has officially arrived, and for those of us who love a well-manicured lawn, it’s time to start thinking about when our grass will turn green.

When should we expect to see our grass start to green up in the spring? Is there anything we can do to make it happen faster? And why do some yards green up faster than others? Let’s take a closer look at these questions.

Green Up: Emergence of New Growth Post-Dormancy

Contrary to popular belief, grass doesn’t actually turn green in the spring. Rather, the green that appears is new grass emerging. Cool-season turfgrasses like Bluegrass and Rye go dormant in response to cold temperatures during the winter. This is similar to why deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall. Dormancy allows the grass to conserve energy when it’s too cold and dark to produce it efficiently.

When warm temperatures return and the days get longer, the grass begins to break dormancy and new growth emerges. This new growth is what appears as green grass. It’s important to note that the grass doesn’t turn the existing blades green again, but instead produces all new ones.

Can We Make Our Grass Green Up Faster?

Unfortunately, the green-up process is solely dependent on temperature and weather conditions. Different years and seasons can create different rates of green-up. Although fertilization can help with spring color and tissue formation after dormancy breaks, it won’t accelerate the time when warm-season turf breaks dormancy.

Why Does My Neighbor’s Yard Always Green Up Before Mine?

Environmental conditions between two yards, the species, and the variety of the species can change everything. Comparing your yard to someone else’s can lead to frustration and isn’t necessary. Each species can lead to variance in color, visual density, stress response, and will even determine when the yard will break dormancy (and turn green!).

Breaking dormancy is dependent on ground temperatures, and the first places to break dormancy are in full sunlight. If your yard is shaded, but your neighbor has a southern-facing hill in direct sunlight, that hill will always be the first to break dormancy.

So, When Will My Grass Be Green?

The grass will green up when it’s ready. Turfgrasses are biologically intelligent and know when their needs are met. Patience and providing them with the necessary tools for success once dormancy has broken are key. Here are our suggested tools for success:

• Mow well.
• Water well.
• Get your grass on a quality fertilization and weed control program.
• Make sure your lawn gets enough sunlight.

By mowing and watering well and providing a great fertilization and weed control program, your Bluegrass or Rye will have the best chance to thrive once the grass breaks dormancy. While we can’t control when the grass will green up, doing these things well will contribute to the health and density we all desire through spring and into early summer.

Important Takeaways:

• -Bluegrass and Rye are cool-season turfgrasses that go dormant in response to freezing temperatures. Breaking dormancy when warm temperatures return, they produce all new green shoots and leaves.
• -Comparing your yard to someone else’s can lead to frustration and isn’t necessary. Environmental conditions between two yards, the species, and the variety of the species can change everything.
• -Our turfgrasses will green up when they are ready. They are biologically intelligent, and they are programmed to know when their needs are met and to grow to the potential of their conditions.

If you have any questions or would like to inquire about services for your turf, please reach out to us at Midwest Green Lawn. We are Northwest Indiana Lawn Care Experts. We have a staff of professionals ready to partner with you and will make this the best year for your lawn. Give us a call at (219)765-7155, or click here to get your no-obligation quote today!