If you were to fly over your neighborhood like a bird, the chances are that you would spy a whole host of lawns that appear to have zebra stripes! 

Now, we aren’t talking about the pristine lawn stripes seen in sports fields and grand gardens. Oh no, those kinds of stripes are achieved by expertly cultivated mowing techniques. 

We are talking about haphazard steaks of dark green or yellowing grass that appear periodically over an otherwise uniform lawn or in a strange pattern that disrupts the overall appearance of the lawn.

So, what is this strange stripe pattern, and how can it be fixed? This article explains how the zebra lawn got its stripes and goes through top tips for prevention and cure. Read on.

Why Does My Lawn Look Striped?

If you have noticed strange stripes appearing on your lawn, the chances are they are due to an error in your fertilizer application and distribution. Think back. Have you recently fertilized your lawn? Bingo.

In general, stripes of dark green grass are the result of the over-application of fertilizer, and stripes of thinner, paler grass are the result of under application. 

Lawn fertilizer contains certain chemicals that boost your soil's health and provide nutrients to seeds and roots. As a result, the growth of your grass will be thicker, quicker, and more luscious. 

What is Causing the Lines in My Lawn?

The leading cause of the stripes occurs during the spreading stage of fertilizer use. Many gardeners and homeowners accidentally leave gaps between rows as they make each pass up and down their lawn. 

Since the fertilizer is so effective, areas that do not get covered appear yellow and pale compared to areas that have been fertilized. If your lawn has thin yellow stripes, this is most likely what has happened.

Alternatively, striping can occur due to overlapping. Gardeners and homeowners who overlap on each pass of their lawn while spreading their fertilizer risk over-fertilizing. 

Over-fertilizing can cause what is known as a salt build-up which in turn causes the grass to ‘burn.’ The result is brown, yellow, or streaked patches that are dry and unattractive. Over application can be just as harmful as under application and can have unsightly results. 

How Do You Fix Fertilizer Stripes?

If your lawn has yellow or brown stripes after fertilizing, fear not! Some methods can be employed to reduce the appearance of the lines and restore your lawn to the flawless green carpet you hoped it would be.

It’s important to identify the difference between “under fertilzation” and “over fertilization.”  When you under fertilize, you won’t notice a huge difference in your lawn. The grass will appear a light green color and won’t be lush. On the other hand, when you over fertilize, you will notice yellow, dry-looking grass. It almost appears as if dog urine has ruined a patch of your grass.  This is due to the high levels of nitrogen in the fertilizer.  

As light green stripes are usually the result of missed gaps in your application, it makes sense that you can get rid of them by filling in those gaps. The best remedy is to apply a small amount of fertilizer in these specific areas. Using a drop spreader will be preferable in this instance.

However, be specific and careful in your application, as you do not want to end up over-fertilizing the healthy parts of your lawn in the process. 

Overlaps in fertilizer application lead to the soil and grass becoming oversaturated with chemicals. You can recognize that this is the case if patches of brownish yellow, dry grass are streaking your lawn. These are more difficult to resolve than missed areas and require more patience. 

The best remedy is to water these areas thoroughly and regularly. A good watering will cause the chemicals to flush away from the concentrated patches and allow the grass to heal naturally. 

How Do You Avoid Fertilizer Stripes?

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure, and the best way to solve striping across your lawn is to master the art of even fertilizer application.

The three main factors to consider before you begin are:

• The style of spreader that you use

• The amount of fertilizer that you need

• The spreading pattern that you will follow

What is the Best Fertilizer Spreader for My Lawn?

There are two main types of spreaders that you can use to distribute granular fertilizer across your lawn. These are a Drop Spreader and a Broadcast Spreader.

We recommend using a Broadcast Spreader to cover a large area as quickly, efficiently, and evenly as possible. 

Broadcast Spreaders are designed to literally ‘broadcast’ the dry granules in all directions as you walk. A whirling mechanism inside the bucket sprays the granules to the sides and in front of the machine to achieve a thorough and even distribution. 

Better still, Broadcast Spreaders adapt their distribution rate with the speed you walk. If you push the machine quickly, it will spread quickly, and if you walk slowly, it will spread slowly. This is ideal for avoiding heavy build-ups of fertilizer in concentrated areas.

Scotts Turf Builder Mini Broadcast Spreader is an excellent, affordable option for those with small to medium-sized lawns.

By contrast, Drop Spreaders are far more accurate and precise. They drop the fertilizer granules down directly beneath the machine as you walk rather than spraying in all directions. The result is a much more concentrated application of fertilizer.  

Drop spreaders are excellent for filling in gaps where fertilizer has been missed because they allow you to be accurate with your application.

How Much Fertilizer Should I Use On My Lawn?

A common error amongst gardeners is that they are too generous with their fertilizer in the initial stages of spreading, and then they run out towards the end, meaning that a section of their lawn receives less than the rest.

Another common mistake is that people hold back in the early stages and find they have fertilizer left over. They then throw the remaining granules over the lawn in erratic patterns. This can lead to overapplication and result in strange splodges of yellow and brown grass developing.

To avoid these errors, always measure your lawn and cross-reference the surface area with the amount of fertilizer recommended by the manufacturer. Each brand will be slightly different, so be sure to do your research.

Next, divide your recommended amount of fertilizer up before you begin spreading. Set some aside for the perimeter and divide the rest in half. 

One half can be used on the initial up and down pass of your lawn, and the second half can be used on the crisscrossing sideways pass of your property. This way, you will judge how much fertilizer to use as you go more quickly and effectively.

What is the Best Spreading Pattern for Lawn Fertilizer?

• Start with the perimeter

To achieve an even fertilizer distribution over your lawn, begin by circling the perimeter. This will ensure that your fertilizer goes right up to your borders and beds and does not stop short of them in an abrupt way. 

It will also mean that you can cease spreading as you make your turn at each end of the yard, saving you lots of wasted product and preventing over-application on these tricky corners.

• Next, cross up and down

Using half of the total amount of fertilizer you have left, push your spreader up and down in vertical, straight lines until you have covered the entire area. Remember to stop spreading as you make each turn since you have already done your perimeter.

• Finally, cross left to right

With the remaining fertilizer, crisscross the rows you have already completed by pushing the spreader left to right over your entire lawn. This will ensure that every area has been covered and that there has been an even distribution throughout.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. Zebra stripes across your lawn are most likely the result of errors in your spreading technique. They can be fixed with care and attention, but better still is always prevention!

Another way to ensure your lawn fertilization turns out precisely right is to call the experts at Cory’s Lawn Service. Cory’s Lawn Service focuses on delivering top-notch customer service, maintaining beautiful lawns, and giving customers more time to spend on what is most important.