Is Your Lawn Dormant Or Dead?

Dormant vs. Dead Grass: How To Tell The Difference

Every homeowner dreads walking outside and seeing a lawn that looks brown, brittle, and lifeless. More often than not, however, what you’re seeing is a perfectly normal process called dormancy. Knowing the difference between dormant grass and truly dead grass is essential for making the right decisions about watering, fertilizing, and lawn repair.

This guide will walk you through what dormancy is and how you can tell if your grass is simply “sleeping” or gone for good.

Why Lawns Go Dormant

Dormancy is a natural survival mechanism that allows turfgrass to endure periods of stress without dying. When grass is exposed to extreme heat, drought, or cold, it temporarily shuts down its active growth processes to conserve water and energy. This is why a lawn that looked green and healthy one week may suddenly look brown and dry after a long stretch without rain or once the first frost hits.

During this stage, grass blades lose their color and become stiff, but the plant’s crown and roots remain alive underground. This state of “rest” allows the plant to survive until conditions improve. Dormancy is nature’s way of helping grass survive harsh weather, and without it, entire lawns would die off every summer or winter.

When Lawns Go Dormant

The timing of dormancy depends on both your local climate and the type of grass in your lawn. Homeowners often notice it during long dry periods in summer or when the first hard frost of the year arrives. Cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses behave differently when it comes to dormancy, and understanding the difference can help you manage your lawn correctly.

Cool-Season Grass Dormancy: Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass grow best in spring and fall. They go dormant when:

• Temperatures exceed 85°F for extended periods (typically in mid- to late summer)
• Soil moisture becomes scarce due to lack of rainfall or restricted irrigation
• Winter temperatures drop significantly, especially in regions with snow cover
  

Warm-Season Grass Dormancy: Warm-season grasses like bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and buffalograss thrive during hot summers but shut down when the soil cools. They turn brown and stop growing when:

• Temperatures drop below about 55°F for several days
• Frost arrives, signaling the end of the growing season
• Daylight hours shorten enough to trigger a seasonal slowdown

Dead vs. Dormant: Why It Matters

Knowing whether your grass is dormant or dead isn’t just a matter of curiosity; it can save you significant time, money, and effort. Dormant grass doesn’t need reseeding, and watering it heavily won’t wake it up if the weather is still too hot or cold. Dead grass, on the other hand, requires immediate repair work if you want to restore a healthy, even lawn.

When learning to identify dormancy, you can prevent unnecessary lawn renovations and time your maintenance tasks for maximum impact. This knowledge helps you make smarter decisions about watering schedules, overseeding, and fertilizer applications throughout the year.

Signs Your Lawn Is Dormant

At first glance, dormant grass can look almost identical to dead grass, which is why so many homeowners panic when they see their lawn turn brown. But dormant grass still has life left in it, and there are clear indicators you can look for to confirm that it’s just taking a break and not gone forever. Remember, dormancy is temporary. If you provide water or temperatures improve, the lawn should show signs of greening up again within a few weeks.

• Uniform Color Change: Dormant lawns usually turn a consistent tan or straw color across the entire yard. Dead grass often appears in irregular patches.
• Even Texture: Dormant grass remains upright, though it may feel dry and stiff. Dead grass often lies flat and disintegrates when touched.
• Firm Root Hold: When you gently tug on dormant grass, it should stay anchored in the soil. Dead grass will often pull out easily because the roots have decayed.
  

How To Tell If Grass Is Dead

Determining whether your lawn is dead takes a little investigation. Dead grass doesn’t have the ability to bounce back, so if you treat it the same as dormant grass, you’ll be left with bare spots when the growing season returns. Fortunately, there are a few simple tests you can perform to check the condition of your turf before taking action.

• The Tug Test: Grab a handful of the brown grass and gently pull. If it resists and stays rooted, it’s likely dormant. If it comes out easily, roots and all, it’s dead.
• Check For Green At The Base: Part the blades near the soil surface. Dormant grass often still has a faint green tint at the crown (where the leaf meets the root). Dead grass will be completely dry and tan all the way to the ground.
• Look For Regrowth: After watering consistently for 7–10 days, check for new green shoots. Dormant grass will respond by slowly greening up. Dead grass will show no improvement.

Reviving Dead Or Severely Damaged Lawns

Dead grass won’t recover on its own, so once you’ve confirmed a patch is gone, you’ll need to take steps to bring that area back to life. Depending on the extent of the damage, this could be a simple weekend project or a larger lawn renovation. Pairing overseeding with core aeration is often the most effective way to rejuvenate a struggling lawn, as it improves seed-to-soil contact and reduces compaction.

• Small Patches: Rake out the dead grass, loosen the soil, and reseed with the same grass variety. Keep the area moist until seedlings are established.
• Large Sections: Consider overseeding the entire lawn to reestablish density and improve turf health.
• Severe Damage: If more than half of your lawn is dead, it may be worth starting fresh with new sod or a full lawn renovation.
  

Caring For A Dormant Lawn

Once you know your lawn is dormant, the key is to help it survive the dormant period without causing unnecessary stress. While you won’t be able to force it to green up until conditions improve, you can protect the living crowns and roots so they are ready to regrow when the weather changes.

• Limit Foot Traffic: Dormant grass is more fragile and can be damaged easily. Try to keep kids, pets, and heavy equipment off the lawn until it’s actively growing again.
  
• Water Occasionally: During summer dormancy, give your lawn about ½ inch of water every 2–3 weeks to keep the crown and roots alive. (Do not overwater — it won’t green up until temperatures drop.)
  
• Avoid Fertilizing: Fertilizer won’t wake up dormant grass and may even burn it. Wait until growth resumes in the spring or fall before feeding.
  
• Keep Mowing High: If the grass still has some growth, raise your mower height to avoid stressing it further.
• Call A Lawn Care Professional: If you don't know how to care for a lawn during dormancy, it is best to either leave your lawn alone during this period or trust a professional. If you are looking for year-round lawns care in Salt Lake City, be sure to call Holmes today for a free quote!