Yellow Grass?

Do you suffer from yellow spots on your lawn due to dog urine? The reason for this is because dogs are carnivores. They have high levels of nitrogen in their urine as a byproduct of animal protein consumption. So although you can’t stop the yellowing of grass from happening, it’s not hopeless. There are steps you can take to diminish this.

1. There’s an easy, although potentially time consuming solution to yellowing on your lawn. Simply water it afterwards with a hose. This will neutralize the nitrogen and therefore the grass won’t be affected.

2. Another option is garden lime, or dolomite lime. This is a product that will neutralize the concentration of nitrogen and salts on your lawn. It balances the pH in the soil and grass, allowing the right chemistry for grass to grow again.

3. If you fertilize your lawn, you may want to skip the areas where your dog is likely to urinate, or at least switch to a low nitrogen fertilizer in those areas. Most standard fertilizers are rich in nitrogen which will be adding to the problem.

4. Create a separate space for your dog to do its’ business. This is a larger project but may prove to be better in the long run, especially if you really care about the health of your lawn.

And lastly, what not to do. Do not give your dog supplements that advertise to lower the nitrogen in their urine unless under careful supervision of a vet, as they can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

Even though seeing spots of yellow, dead grass are unattractive, having our canine companions are worth it. And with a little bit of time and diligence, these unsightly spots don’t have to be a part of your lawn anymore.