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Grass going yellow

m_tariqsm_tariqs Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Hello. I top soiled 10 tonnes of soil in my garden and planted grass seed in late November. Nothing happened for 4 weeks but then i noticed a bit of green. Surprisingly, the grass started growing late December. Its been doing pretty well, i have a few patches which i will fill in spring. However, in the last couple of days i have noticed quite a bit of yellowing on the grass, pic attached. Do you know why this could be? Many thanks.
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  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think it's pretty normal for the time of year. I would leave it alone until spring when it should start growing in earnest, then give it a small trim (sharp, high blades on the mower) when the conditions are nice and dry and it's growing strongly, and see how it goes.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    Your photo does also suggest that water’s pooling on the sown area—this isn’t good for grass. So over the course of this year, it might be a good idea to aerate and brush in sharp sand to improve drainage.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It does look very soggy.
    It's only been there a couple of months [very late for seed to germinate and grow] and it'll be pretty weak too.
    Keep off it until spring, then take a view on it. You can always re sow and aerate etc then :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • m_tariqsm_tariqs Posts: 23
    So this is a few inches of top soil grade 1, is what i used. Hmmmmmm. Not much pooling but yeah ill keep an eye on it.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Most grass has a fair bit of yellowing on it at this time of year - even when it's a mature lawn. Yours is very, very young and new. It doesn't have the root system to support it yet  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • m_tariqsm_tariqs Posts: 23
    Fairygirl said:
    Most grass has a fair bit of yellowing on it at this time of year - even when it's a mature lawn. Yours is very, very young and new. It doesn't have the root system to support it yet  :)
    So nothing to worry about?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I wouldn't think so @m_tariqs.  :)
    Give it a couple of months, let it grow a bit, and see how it is then. Warmer weather  will help - the ground will dry out a bit, and it'll hopefully thicken up too, especially once you're cutting regularly.
    Generally speaking, the temp for grass seed to germinate and grow on needs to be about mid teens or higher, consistently enough, and with some regular moisture. That's why spring, or around September is usually a good time. In wetter areas, you can sow right through spring to autumn.  :)
    Normally, grass seed wouldn't have germinated and grown much at the time of year you've sown, unless you're in a much warmer, drier part of the south, and you aren't!
    Many areas have had much milder weather though, which is why it's done well. If I sowed it at that time of year, it would just rot. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • m_tariqsm_tariqs Posts: 23
    Fairygirl said:
    I wouldn't think so @m_tariqs.  :)
    Give it a couple of months, let it grow a bit, and see how it is then. Warmer weather  will help - the ground will dry out a bit, and it'll hopefully thicken up too, especially once you're cutting regularly.
    Generally speaking, the temp for grass seed to germinate and grow on needs to be about mid teens or higher, consistently enough, and with some regular moisture. That's why spring, or around September is usually a good time. In wetter areas, you can sow right through spring to autumn.  :)
    Normally, grass seed wouldn't have germinated and grown much at the time of year you've sown, unless you're in a much warmer, drier part of the south, and you aren't!
    Many areas have had much milder weather though, which is why it's done well. If I sowed it at that time of year, it would just rot. 

    Very right, it was a big surprise when it started growing in December. Yes, ill wait and I still have some seed left, to go over the patches in Spring. Thanks for the help
  • WalkingWalking Posts: 14
    M-Tariqs,

    Back to the beginning.

    Why did you put on topsoil?

    If it was as a top dressing, I might well be wrong, but I think its usually mixed with a sharp sand.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's a good question re the addition of topsoil @Walking. I was assuming the OP was simply making a new lawn, or adding to the lawn that was already in situ, especially as it was then seeded. It would be a hefty top dress too, since it's several inches!   ;)
    Perhaps @m_tariqs could clarify though.

    It isn't always necessary to add sand or grit, unless the drainage is very poor [which might be the case] but without more photos and/or info, it's difficult to judge.
    It certainly isn't a good idea to do much now due to the conditions, and the stage the grass is at. Any other work like aerating, is best done once the ground dries out a bit.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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