Why Your Lawn Turns Yellow in Winter (And What to Do About It)
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Time to read 4 min
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Time to read 4 min
If you've ever looked out at your lawn during the cooler months and noticed it turning yellow, you're not alone. A yellowing lawn in winter is a common issue across many parts of Australia, and while it might look unsightly, it's not always a cause for concern. Understanding the reasons behind winter yellowing and knowing how to respond can help you keep your lawn healthy and green year-round.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes of winter yellowing, what you can do to prevent it, and how to fix it once it shows up.
There are several reasons why your lawn may lose its vibrant green colour during the winter months:
Many warm-season grasses such as couch and kikuyu go into a semi-dormant state during winter. When soil and air temperatures drop, these grasses slow their growth and can lose their green colour, turning straw-like or yellow.
Solution : This is a natural response. There's not much you can do to stop dormancy entirely, but you can mask the yellowing by applying a lawn pigment such as Pure Colour+ , which enhances winter colour without promoting unnecessary growth.
Frost is a common winter stressor. When temperatures drop suddenly overnight, frost can form on the leaf blades and cause the cells in the grass to freeze and rupture. This results in a yellow or bleached appearance the following day.
Solution : Apply a lawn pigment like Pure Colour+ before frost conditions develop to protect the leaf surface. Raising the mowing height can also provide insulation and reduce frost exposure. Avoid walking on frost-covered grass to prevent further damage.. Applying a pigment like Pure Colour+ can also help protect the leaf blade from frost.
With shorter days and a lower sun angle in winter, lawns receive less sunlight. Shade from trees, houses, or fences can further reduce photosynthesis, which is critical for maintaining green colour.
Solution : Prune trees and hedges to allow more light onto your lawn. Buffalo grass is a better choice for shaded areas during winter as it handles low light better than couch or kikuyu.
During winter, your lawn’s nutrient uptake can slow, particularly for nitrogen and iron. This can lead to pale, yellow, or washed-out looking grass.
Solution : Apply a liquid fertiliser like The Pure Lawn Tips Mix to quickly correct deficiencies and boost winter colour. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which can push unwanted growth.
Excess rain in winter combined with compacted soil can lead to waterlogged conditions. Standing water deprives the roots of oxygen, causing them to yellow and rot.
Solution : Improve drainage with core aeration and use Pure Wetter to help water penetrate the soil more evenly. Avoid overwatering during winter.
The best defence against winter yellowing is year-round care and proper preparation. Here are some top tips:
Apply a slow-release fertiliser in early to mid-autumn to strengthen the lawn before winter hits. This improves root health and colour retention.
Use a pigment like Pure Colour+ before your lawn loses colour. It provides a natural green appearance and protects the leaf from frost and UV stress.
Raise your mowing height in winter. Keeping the grass a bit longer helps protect the crown and encourages better photosynthesis.
Avoid walking on frosty or waterlogged grass. This can crush the leaf blade and damage roots, worsening yellowing.
Rake up fallen leaves and remove debris. Shade and moisture buildup under leaves can cause fungal problems and suppress lawn colour.
While it's natural for warm-season lawns to lose some colour in winter, you can absolutely keep your lawn looking better with the right strategy:
Apply a lawn pigment to maintain rich colour
Boost with iron and liquid fertilisers
Mow less often and avoid scalping
Keep the area free from traffic, leaves, and shade
If colour is a top priority, you might also consider overseeding with a cool-season grass like ryegrass during early autumn. It grows through winter and can be phased out in spring when your warm-season lawn returns.
A: Yes, especially for warm-season grasses like couch and kikuyu. It’s usually due to dormancy or reduced sunlight.
A: Yes. Use a pigment like Pure Colour+ and apply iron-rich liquid fertilisers to enhance colour.
A: Fertilising helps, but it won’t stop dormancy. Use products like the Pure Lawn Tips Mix for colour and health.
A: Apply pigment beforehand, raise mowing height, and avoid walking on frosty grass.
Yellowing in winter is often caused by dormancy, frost, reduced sunlight, nutrient deficiency, or drainage issues.
Couch and kikuyu are more likely to discolour in winter; buffalo holds colour better.
Use pigments like Pure Colour+ to maintain green colour during winter.
Apply iron and liquid fertilisers to boost lawn health.
Raise mowing height, reduce traffic, and clear debris to minimise stress.
A yellow lawn in winter is common, especially for couch and kikuyu varieties. Most of the time, it’s a harmless sign of dormancy or environmental stress. But with a little care and some help from pigments and targeted nutrition, you can keep your lawn looking fresh, even during the coldest months.
Winter doesn’t have to mean lifeless grass. Stay ahead of the seasonal shift, adjust your lawn care routine, and give your turf the support it needs to stay green all year.
Author: Ben Sims
Ben Sims is a passionate greenkeeper turned lawn care expert. With years of experience in greenkeeping, he's shifted his focus to helping homeowners achieve their dream lawns. Through his website and YouTube Channel, Lawn Tips, he shares practical advice, comprehensive lawn care plans, and high-quality lawn products to make lawn maintenance more straightforward and effective.
