Why is my lawn not as green as my neighbor's?

Lawn color is a complicated discussion. First of all there are several types of grass; bluegrass, rye and fescue to name a few. Within each type of grass are literally thousands of varieties. So even though you and your neighbor have Kentucky bluegrass, you may have two different varieties which were bred for different qualities, and color characteristics. Another factor is fertilization. Spring color is largely based on fall fertilization. A heavy dose of nitrogen at the end of the season helps ensure a vibrant, green lawn the following spring. Seedhead is another factor affecting color. Seedhead is when a lawn develops its seeds which sort of look like the tops of wheat plants. These "feathery" seedheads are a light green and make the lawn look lighter green than it really is. Seedhead is a natural process and can be remedied by regular mowing. Lastly as daytime temperatures begin to rise and the volume of rainfall is low, lawns will start to dry out and head toward dormancy. The first two weeks of May have been dry, and lawns are starting to show signs of stress. If your lawn isn't as green as it was a week ago, time to hit it with a long, deep soak. Water deeply and infrequently, allowing 1 inch of water to penetrate the soil.