10 Common Causes (and Fixes) for Yellow Grass in Columbus, Ohio
If you’ve ever walked outside, coffee in hand, only to spot patches of yellow grass creeping across your once-lush green lawn, you’re not alone. Yellowing grass is one of the most common lawn care complaints we hear from Columbus-area homeowners—and the causes range from simple watering mistakes to more complex soil or disease issues.
Fortunately, yellow grass isn’t always permanent—and in most cases, it can be fixed with the right approach.
Let’s walk through the top reasons grass turns yellow, how to diagnose the problem, and what you can do to get your lawn back to healthy and vibrant.
1. Underwatering or Drought Stress
What it looks like:
Grass turns light yellow or tan, feels dry and brittle, and may stop growing altogether. You may also notice footprints or mower tracks linger on the lawn.
Why it happens:
Columbus summers often bring hot spells and dry weeks. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue—which are common across Central Ohio—tend to go dormant during heat and lack of water.
Fix it:
- Water deeply and infrequently—about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall
- Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation and fungal risk
- Install a simple rain gauge or use a smart irrigation controller for efficiency
2. Overwatering or Poor Drainage
What it looks like:
Yellowing blades with soggy, squishy soil underneath. Grass may also appear limp or rotted at the roots.
Why it happens:
Too much water suffocates the root zone and leaches out nutrients. In many Columbus neighborhoods, especially areas like Grove City or Gahanna with clay-heavy soils, lawns are prone to poor drainage and oversaturation.
Fix it:
- Scale back watering, especially after rain
- Aerate annually to improve drainage
- Consider regrading low spots or adding a French drain if pooling persists
3. Nitrogen Deficiency
What it looks like:
Even yellowing across the lawn, usually without distinct patches. Growth is stunted, and the lawn lacks that rich green color.
Why it happens:
Nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plant growth. Without it, grass struggles to photosynthesize. Heavy spring rains in Ohio often wash nitrogen out of the soil, and lawns that haven’t been fertilized in a while are especially vulnerable.
Fix it:
- Apply a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer suited for cool-season turf
- Conduct a soil test to confirm the deficiency (and avoid overfertilizing)
- Plan a fertilization schedule: once in spring, again in fall
4. Pet Urine
What it looks like:
Small yellow or brown spots with a dark green ring around the edge—classic “dog spots.”
Why it happens:
Urine, especially from dogs, is high in nitrogen and salts. In small, concentrated amounts, it burns the grass, much like over-fertilization.
Fix it:
- Encourage pets to use one part of the yard
- Water the area immediately after your pet goes
- Reseed damaged areas with a hardy grass variety like tall fescue
5. Fungal Diseases
What it looks like:
Irregular yellow or brown patches, sometimes with visible webbing (fungal mycelium) in the morning. Common diseases include dollar spot, red thread, and rust.
Why it happens:
Central Ohio’s humid summers and cool nights create ideal conditions for lawn fungus—especially when lawns are overwatered or cut too short.
Fix it:
- Mow at a proper height (3–4 inches for cool-season grass)
- Water early in the day and avoid wetting at night
- Remove clippings and thatch buildup
- Consider fungicide treatment if the problem persists
6. Dull Mower Blades
What it looks like:
Grass tips look torn or shredded rather than cleanly cut, causing yellow or brown discoloration at the tips.
Why it happens:
A dull blade rips the grass instead of slicing it, creating stress and making the lawn more susceptible to disease and water loss.
Fix it:
- Sharpen mower blades at least 2–3 times during the growing season
- Avoid mowing wet grass
- Alternate mowing directions to prevent matting and compaction
7. Heat Stress
What it looks like:
Large areas of yellow or brown grass, often in full sun or southern-facing sections of the lawn.
Why it happens:
Columbus lawns are typically planted with cool-season grasses, which naturally go dormant during prolonged heat. It’s a survival strategy—not necessarily a sign of death.
Fix it:
- Raise your mower height during the summer (3.5–4 inches)
- Avoid heavy fertilization during hot spells
- Keep foot traffic to a minimum when grass is stressed
8. Soil Compaction
What it looks like:
Thin, patchy grass in high-traffic areas—along paths, near patios, or in kids’ play zones. Water tends to pool or run off rather than soak in.
Why it happens:
Over time, foot traffic and mowing compact the soil, squeezing out air and limiting root growth. Columbus’s dense clay soil makes lawns especially prone to this issue.
Fix it:
- Core aerate your lawn once a year (fall is best)
- Overseed after aerating to promote new growth
- Use stepping stones or mulch paths to reduce traffic in sensitive areas
9. Grub or Pest Damage
What it looks like:
Yellow or brown patches that easily peel up like a carpet. You may see birds digging or raccoons flipping sod at night.
Why it happens:
Grubs (beetle larvae) feed on grass roots, especially in late summer. Without a strong root system, grass yellows and dies off in patches.
Fix it:
- Apply a grub control treatment (timing matters—June/July for preventatives, August/September for curatives)
- Water thoroughly after application to move it into the soil
- Consider professional pest evaluation if unsure
10. Scalping the Lawn
What it looks like:
Grass turns yellow after mowing, especially when it’s cut extremely short or during dry spells.
Why it happens:
Cutting off too much grass blade weakens the plant, removes essential energy reserves, and exposes the crown to heat and pests.
Fix it:
- Set your mower height between 2.5–4 inches for most Ohio grasses
- Follow the “one-third rule”: never cut more than one-third of the blade at once
- Mow more frequently in spring and fall when grass is actively growing
Bonus Tip: When in Doubt, Test the Soil
Soil pH and nutrient imbalances often cause yellowing even if you’re doing everything else right. A simple soil test can identify:
- pH problems
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Organic matter content
- Fertilizer recommendations
When to Call a Lawn Care Professional
Some lawn problems are easy to fix yourself—but when yellowing persists or worsens despite your best efforts, it’s smart to bring in a pro.
Professional lawn services can:
- Diagnose complex issues (e.g., fungus vs. pet spots vs. grubs)
- Perform aeration, overseeding, and fertilization
- Create a customized care plan based on your soil and grass type
- Offer seasonal services that match Columbus’s unique weather patterns
Final Thoughts
Yellow grass doesn’t mean your lawn is doomed. Whether it’s a watering mistake, nutrient deficiency, or just the result of a scorching July, most causes of yellowing can be diagnosed and reversed with the right steps.
If you’re dealing with recurring yellow patches or want to prevent future problems, investing in seasonal lawn care and professional advice can go a long way.
Live in Columbus or nearby suburbs like Westerville, Hilliard, or Reynoldsburg?
We’re here to help get your lawn healthy and green again.
