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As fall settles in, it's not unusual to see parts of your turning brown; in fact, many homeowners wonder if it’s a sign of a dying lawn or simply seasonal dormancy. This is an especially common reaction if it's the first year in your home. Understanding the difference will steer your response. While a dead lawn may require reseeding or replacement, while a dormant lawn is simply conserving energy and will often rebound in the spring.
How to Recognize Dormant Grass
Dormancy is a natural process that allows grass to conserve resources; it tends to do this in extreme heat or cold. In fall, warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia will often begin to turn brown as they enter winter dormancy. You may even wake up one day to find your entire lawn brown; it happens quickly as cold temperatures arrive. Cool-season grasses may also exhibit a lighter dormancy, but it usually only happens if temperatures suddenly drop or if there’s a lack of moisture.
Uniformly brown grass is often just dormant. You'll know it's not dead because it retains some resilience—when you bend a blade of dormant grass, it should still have flexibility, not snap easily. You might even still see a hint of your green lawn if you look closer at the base of the grass blades. And, actually, weeds in your lawn might not turn brown as the grass around them enters dormancy.
Additionally, keep in mind that dormant grass will recover. It usually gets its lushness and color back when temperatures rise and after rainy period. If you've maintained a healthy lawn by regularly mowing, applying fertilizer, and properly watering, dormancy is more likely than a *surprise* lawn disease.
Indicators That Your Grass is Dead, Not Dormant
A dead lawn lacks the ability to recover. Dead patches of grass often feel brittle, lack flexibility, and may easily pull out of the ground. If you can pull up a handful of grass, even after proper watering, your lawn might be struggling with common lawn diseases, pests, or prolonged neglect (perhaps due to drought conditions or periods of intense heat — it's hard to keep up with those extremes, especially if you have a large lawn and no irrigation system). Even an established lawn can develop brown spots, increased thatch, or a lack of any green color near the roots.
Dead spots may also develop as patches, while dormancy usually affects the grass uniformly. If you generally take good care of your lawn, and the weather conditions aren’t overly harsh, dead patches can indicate a deeper issue like compact soil, fungal grass disease, or pests. Soil testing isn't a bad idea if you're concerned!
FAQ
How can I tell if my grass is dormant or dead if fall has been unusually dry?
During a dry fall, even healthy grass can appear stressed and dry out. Dormant grass may feel dry but will usually green up after the temperature rises and with a change in moisture conditions. Dead grass blades are brittle and will not recover. Try gently pulling on a small clump; if the clump of grass can stay rooted and shows flexibility, it’s likely just dormant.
Should I water my lawn if it’s going dormant?
Yes, even a dormant lawn can benefit from occasional watering. A deep watering every few weeks can help maintain root moisture and prepare it for winter, which can lead to a quicker recovery in the spring. Pulling weeds or applying a herbicide can also support stronger grass growth as it rebounds.
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