We often call fertilizer “food for our lawns” because it’s stocked with nutrients that keep turf healthy, green and growing. And fall is the most important time to fertilize the lawn.
But like with anything, too much of a good thing is a bad thing! Did you recently fertilize and now spot yellow grass, brown spots or streaking?
If that sounds familiar, you may have over fertilized your lawn, which is calledfertilizer burn. Look for these symptoms, then learn how to repair your suffering turf.
Over Fertilized Lawn… Now What? (Fertilizer Burn Symptoms and Repair)
Look for these symptoms of fertilizer burn in the yard.
The best fertilizers have a blend of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which all help lawns look their best. Some fertilizers also contain soluble salts, which is where most of the risk comes in.
When you apply too much fertilizer or spill some by accident, the salt buildup can cause fertilizer burn. So, you’ll see brown, yellow or streaked grass. This happens more often with quick-release fertilizers, which flood lawns with nutrients all at once.
Will over fertilized grass grow back?
Healthy grass can bounce back with the right care. You’ll want to make sure the grass is still alive before attempting to revive it. Usually, yellow and brown streaks can recover. But crunchy, brown grass could mean you need to consider replanting.
It’s really tough to tell whether your grass is dead or dormant in summer because they look virtually identical. Your best bet is to check if a few green shoots sprout up after late summer storms. Or if you’re still unsure, ask your local arborist to inspect your lawn.
How to Repair Burned Grass from Fertilizer
Burned lawns will need a generous amount of water to get back to green. It’s important to water your lawn as soon as you spot any brown or yellow patches to prevent further damage. Slowly soak the affected areas every day for about a week to fully flush out the salt. And, keep in mind the best time to water is in the morning!
Check back in on your lawn in a few weeks. The affected areas should be turning green. If not, those areas of your lawn may need to be dug up and over seeded.
And next time, use a slow-release fertilizer to reduce the risk of fertilizer burn–and follow the instructions to a T. Or ensure you get it right by clicking below and having the experts handle it!
FAQs
It's important to water your lawn as soon as you spot any brown or yellow patches to prevent further damage. Slowly soak the affected areas every day for about a week to fully flush out the salt. And, keep in mind the best time to water is in the morning! Check back in on your lawn in a few weeks.
How to repair over fertilized grass? ›
In a lot of cases, watering is the key to fixing an over-fertilized lawn. After around one to two weeks, you should see new growth if you have been watering daily. However, if nothing has changed, you need to inspect the roots.
How long does it take grass to recover from fertilizer burn? ›
Fertilizer burn symptoms appear soon after fertilizer is applied. You'll often see grass blades dry from the tip and yellow, brown, or scorched stripes following the application pattern. If you act fast, turfgrass can recover in a few days to weeks.
How do you save a tree from over fertilizing? ›
Yes, over fertilized plants can recover with proper care. To help them recover, you should flush the soil with water to remove excess nutrients. Adjusting the watering schedule and providing adequate sunlight can also aid in the recovery process.
Will Epsom salt help yellowing grass? ›
Yellow or curled leaves and foliage is a sign of a magnesium deficiency. Spread Epsom Salt around trees, shrubs, vegetables, flowers and grasses you want to green up once a month.
Can yellow grass turn green again? ›
If soil issues caused your yellow lawn, you can amend the soil with compost. This can help fix problems such as poor drainage and proper pH levels. Adding fertilizer can also help repair a yellow lawn. A good fertilizer product can replace nutrients missing in the soil, such as nitrogen.
What happens if you put too much fertilizer on grass? ›
Applying too much fertilizer to your lawn will cause the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil to increase rapidly, which can damage or even kill the grass. When this happens, it is known as “fertilizer burn” and looks like yellow and brown strips or patches of dead grass.
Should you water grass everyday after fertilizing? ›
You've Watered after Fertilizing — Now What? After this initial watering, avoid watering your lawn for a couple days so the nutrients can settle in. Then, return to your regular lawn-watering schedule, and remember these tips: Don't water every day.
How to reverse over-fertilization? ›
What to do now
- Carefully remove all yellow or severely damaged leaves from your plant.
- Rinse the soil thoroughly with water (put the plant under a tap and let water run through the pot). Remove any remaining fertilizer residue.
- Cut back on fertilizing for a while to allow your plant the chance to recover.
While yellowing of the lawn can be alarming, “yellow grass” does not necessarily mean “dead grass”, it can be dormancy. Dormancy is a protective system that ensures the survival of the lawn when it is under great stress, for example, a drought. You can save your lawn with the right treatments.
It's a common misconception that watering dead grass will bring it back to life. The truth is, when you water dead grass, it can actually make the situation worse. It can cause the roots in the ground to rot and decompose faster than they would if left alone.
What does an over-fertilized lawn look like? ›
Recognizing Over-Fertilization Lawn Symptoms
If you've overapplied to the entire lawn it might not be enough to burn it but you might notice symptoms such as brown or yellow tips on the grass blades. You might also notice that you're not getting new growth as you should be.
Can a tree recover from fertilizer burn? ›
All Answers (3) Yes, plants can recover from fertilizer burn, but the extent of the recovery will depend on the severity of the damage.
Is too much fertilizer bad for trees? ›
The Risks of Over-Fertilizing Your Trees
Root Damage: Over-fertilization can cause fertilizer burn, which occurs when the salt content in the fertilizer draws moisture away from the roots. This can lead to root damage, stunted growth, and even tree death.
How long does it take for fertilizer to work on trees? ›
In general, with good plant health care, it takes around four to six weeks for fertilizer to work on trees. That is because it takes a while for the fertilizer to be absorbed by the tree's roots and for the nutrients to spread throughout the rest of the tree.
What happens if I put too much fertilizer on my lawn? ›
Applying too much fertilizer to your lawn will cause the nitrogen and salt levels in the soil to increase rapidly, which can damage or even kill the grass. When this happens, it is known as “fertilizer burn” and looks like yellow and brown strips or patches of dead grass.
How to reverse over fertilization? ›
What to do now
- Carefully remove all yellow or severely damaged leaves from your plant.
- Rinse the soil thoroughly with water (put the plant under a tap and let water run through the pot). Remove any remaining fertilizer residue.
- Cut back on fertilizing for a while to allow your plant the chance to recover.
If your grass is actually dead, there's nothing you can do to bring it back other than plant new grass. Brown grass, however, can green up following proper care. Oftentimes, that just means water, nutrients, and cooler temperatures for northern lawns and warmer temperatures for southern lawns.
Can too much fertilizer turn plants yellow? ›
Signs Your Plant Has Too Much Fertilizer
Leaves turn yellow or brown, dry out, and commonly fall down.
