Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

Question:  What acually can be done to make grass greener?
---Steve

Answer:
   Unless you'd be satisfied with green paint, in which case Sherwin-
Williams is your next stop, you need more chlorophyll in each blade,
since chlorophyll is the substance in plants that makes them green.
Plants makes chlorophyll to use sunlight for energy.  If it's a sick
plant, it won't be able to make as much chlorophyll, and it will be
less green.  So you can make sure the grass is healthy, which by and
large just means watering it very often and making sure the soil is a
good pH (acidity) for the plant (application of lime may help if it's
not).  Fertilizer helps, which is why the grass really is greener over
the septic tank.  But if you've got tip-top healthy grass, then the
only thing I can think of is to plant skinny trees.  Plants getting *a
little* less light than they're designed for seem to boost the
chlorophyll production somewhat to make up for the lost light.
 christopher grayce