People want green grass! The health of your grass is essential to keeping it’s nice color, but this requires a lot of work. Despite a full-on irrigation and fertilization routine, brown patches in your lawn can be inevitable. Maybe you have certain shaded areas in your yard, or places where your sprinkler system just won’t reach. Maybe your whole lawn is discolored!
You’re probably wondering if there’s anything you can do get that green grass color to return. The good news is, there is actually a quick fix option. Many golf courses and sports fields have been using spray paint for years. It’s also common for estate agents to use grass dye on lawns of properties that they want to flip.
Yes…You can actually spray paint your grass to green up it almost instantly.
Sounds too good to be true right?
In this article, I’ll explain how to apply lawn paint and some of the things to be aware of. I certainly made some mistakes doing this the first time, so hopefully this article will help you to avoid some of these.
Reasons why you may want to use lawn dye
Maintaining a lush green lawn is difficult. It’s not exactly environmentally friendly and it’s also expensive and very time consuming.
It’s even more difficult during warmer temperatures, in the midst of a drought without an extensive irrigation plan. In general, it’s very common to see lawns brown which is often undesired.
Some other causes for discoloration are:
- Pet damage/urine spots
- Spraying too much weed killer
- Over Fertilization
- Dormancy
Nethertheless, you just care about getting that lush emerald lawn, right?
What type of lawn paint is recommended?
You’ll quickly find there are multiple different products out there and it can very hard to know what to choose.
Ultimately, the best product you can use will depend your own grass type. Some products are slightly darker which are best used on cool season grasses. If you’re using a darker color, you might want to apply at lower concentrations since these can be less forgiving.
More forgiving lawn paints tend to be suited more towards warm season grass types. These are often lighter in color, and you can often use multiple applications without the color becoming too intense.
Adding lawn dye
Lawn dye is a short-term solution to your problem. You’ll be glad to know that you can easily add it to your spray applications.
A lot of these products are non-toxic and safe to use around your pets and children once they dry out.
How to dye grass
What you need
- First you will need to get yourself a high-quality grass paint. I use this one (link to Amazon).
- You’re going to need some boots that you don’t mind turning green! Grass dye can be a real pain since it stains pretty much anything it touches.
- I’d recommend getting a pump sprayer for this. I wouldn’t recommend using a cheap sprayer. Get one that’s good quality and won’t keep clogging up. I have this Echo hand held sprayer (link to Amazon). Ideally you would have one sprayer that’s just for spraying this paint because it can get everywhere and it’s not easy to clean out.
- You definitely want something to cover your sidewalk and other concrete areas.
- Some gloves
- A measuring cup to ensure the correct concentration
- Old clothes you don’t mind getting stained
Mixing the product
You’ll need to mix the product in a suitable ratio. The specific product you’re using will have recommendations for this. With most products you can adjust the concentration up or down to get the look you’re going for.
The higher the concentration, the darker the color!
I’ve found it easier to fill the hose spray with water before you put in the chemical.
Tips for spraying
- Make sure to blow off any leaves or other debris before you begin spraying. You can use a rake or a leaf blower to do this.
- Next, you’ll want to mow your grass and cover any exposed surfaces that could get paint on it.
- I’d recommend testing a small area first to see if you’re getting the desired result. You may want to adjust the concentration up or down depending on this.
- Make sure you’re using a good spray nozzle. If it’s too direct, you’ll end up with lines instead of an even coat.
- Be careful if you’re using a hand pressure pump – the pressure is always a little inconsistent.
- Generally, its’ good to spray a foot above the grass but make sure you pay attention to the instructions for your product.
- Ideally, you should do this when the ground is dry and there is no wind.
- When you’ve finished spraying the lawn, let it dry completely and stay off the area.
Will grass dye stain my concrete?
Yes! Be very careful when spraying near to porous surfaces. It’s good to have something you can lay down to cover any areas which risk getting splashed by the paint.
What should your expectations be?
You can certainly see some good results if you apply it correctly.
These products won’t help your grass grow, they just provide short term solution to color in certain areas of your grass.
How long does grass dye last?
These products will often stay in until its mowed out. Like hair dye, it won’t just wash out. It actually stains the blade and so it won’t just run off once it gets wet.
The more regularly you cut the grass, the faster it’s going to wear off.
The Verdict
Getting green grass can cost you a lot of money and time. Regularly watering and putting down fertilizer can be a lot of work. This may even be impossible if you have water restrictions during a drought.
Using lawn paint can give your lawn a vibrant color for a short period of time. It’s something you can do by yourself and it’s not very difficult to do.
I have to say, I am surprised with how good the results can be. The color difference is fairly dramatic and quite impressive. It’s difficult to even tell that the grass has been painted.
So, would I recommend using grass dye on your lawn?
Well it depends. I’m personally really into lawn care, and I enjoy the whole process of keeping my grass healthy and looking its best. If you’re less inclined to do the same and you just want a decent looking lawn, then grass paint might be a great choice for you. It’s not going to harm anything and it’s going to be safe to use around your children and pets. Its relatively inexpensive compared to full DIY lawn care.
I’d always recommend keeping a bottle at the ready. I find it great to use on areas that are problematic.
