If your grass doesn’t seem as healthy as it used to be, but you know it’ll grow and turn green once again later on, then a temporary fix with grass paint is an ideal solution. Here’s what you should know about this convenient substance.
What Is Grass Paint?
Grass paint is a substance or formula that’s applied to grass that’s either dried, diseased, or dormant. The grass will look healthy and green when the paint is applied, and the formula is strong enough that it usually lasts even after rain or irrigation.
Why is it important to have grass paint?
It keeps your lawn healthy-looking
Grass paint is a convenient solution for a lot of homeowners because it can keep the grass healthy-looking even if it’s actually brown in color. The paint hides any trace of browning if applied properly, and it even stays after being washed or exposed to rain, making it very potent. Most homeowners use grass paint this way as a temporary solution to brown grass.
It is worth noting that grass paint does not make grass any healthier, even though it appears that way. All the paint does is make the grass appear green - in fact, there’s a good chance that the paint’s color doesn’t match the actual color of the grass. Because of this, grass paint is best used to cover up brown spots rather than serve as a permanent solution.
It’s cheaper than replacing or regrowing grass
So, you’ve got a lawn that has a few brown patches every now and then. If you know that the grass can turn green again in the future, then it’s probably much cheaper to get grass paint and cover up the spots rather than replacing the grass entirely. You’ll also save a lot of time and effort that goes into replacing or regrowing grass.
And even if you do have the time and effort to replace or regrow grass, there’s always the possibility of it turning brown again anyways. Grass paint can help you temporarily fix the problem, and when you notice that the grass is still hasn't grown after wearing off, that’s when you can consider other, more permanent solutions instead.
Tips When Using Grass Paint
Apply it evenly
Grass paint is non-toxic and does not hinder the growth of grass, but at the end of the day, it’s still paint. As such, you’ll need to be careful when applying the formula, as the improper application will result in an uneven-looking lawn. For example, the lawn may look nice and green from one angle, but when you look at it from another side, the brown spots will become apparent.
To solve this, try applying grass paint evenly. Start from one direction and work your way across the lawn, being sure to cover every part of that side. Once you’re done, you can switch to the other side and cover the rest. This should allow you to evenly apply grass paint and make the grass look green from all angles.
Reach the roots
When using grass paint, it can be tempting to simply spray the top layer and be done with it. But this can be problematic, as it leaves the roots and lower parts of the grass unpainted. This will make the grass look unhealthy even though you applied a layer of green to the top.
The only way for you to make sure you make your grass look healthy again is by painting all the way down to the roots. Sure, you won’t be able to cover as much lawn because of this, but at least you’ll guarantee the painted area looks as good as new.
Cover your fences and nearby furniture before spraying
Finally, it’s worth noting that grass paint does stain your clothing, skin, and furniture, too. It’ll be a pain to remove from your skin, but it’ll be even worse once it gets all over your favorite shirt or your newly installed fence. To prevent any accidents from happening, it’s recommended you take extra steps to ensure only the grass gets painted.
For clothing, simply wearing old and used clothes should be enough. Keep your furniture away by moving it far from the grass if possible. For larger pieces of furniture and/or your fences, the best you can do is cover up as much as possible, or at least the area closest to the grass. You can cover it with disposable materials such as newspapers.
Types of Grass Paints
Concentrates
Grass paint products are commonly sold in the form of concentrates. This has two advantages - for one, you get plenty of products all stored in one convenient little bottle, which is space-efficient. Secondly, it’s cheaper than using spray paints, as you’ll be getting gallons’ worth of product for the price of a single spray paint bottle. The only downside is that you need to actually prepare the solution before using it, and you’ll need something like a pump sprayer to evenly apply the formula over your lawn.
Spray paints
Spray paints are the more convenient alternative to concentrates. You can use it immediately and whenever you want, and you don’t need any tools to spray the formula, as it can be applied using the can. It is more expensive than concentrates, however, and is best used to cover up small patches of brown grass rather than to cover an entire area.
Grass Paint FAQ
Q: Is grass paint safe for the plant?
A: Grass paint is perfectly safe for grass and does not hinder their growth whatsoever.
Q: Is grass paint toxic to pets?
A: Most, if not all grass paint products, are non-toxic and safe for both pets and humans.
Q: Does grass paint stain?
A: Grass paint can stain clothes, furniture, and fences, so it’s best to take care when applying grass paint over your lawn. As you would cover areas while painting indoors, be sure to cover any areas around the grass you don't want to get painted.