Your lawn can quickly frizzle in summer, making your lush green turfgrass into crispy brown shades. You may also have observed that they become patchy and straw-like during the colder months.
Many homeowners think that brown turf means dead. Fortunately, your turfgrass may only be in the state of dormancy. So, can you save a dying lawn? In most cases, yes, depending on particular circumstances, such as the cause of the browning in the first place.
The main reason for dying grass is drought. If your lawn is totally dead because of it, you may need to start looking for growers in your area to replace your turf. However, you must research or look for some tips on how to care for new sod, especially if you’re a beginner.
What Are Dormant Grasses?
Grasses naturally “shut down” and turn brown to conserve water and nutrients during winter. In hot weather conditions, grasses go dormant because they’re stressed out by drought and intense heat. Turf can safely go dormant for three to four weeks without dying, though extreme drought will kill them over time.
Brown turf is visually unpleasant, but it will green up once conditions improve. Besides the weather, remember that there are other reasons for lawn browning, including excessive nitrogen, insects, cultural practices, lawn diseases, pet spots, fungus, and poor soil conditions. On top of these, choosing the suitable turf variety from top producers, like the Turf Grass Group, is essential.
How to Rescue a Dying Lawn
Reviving a dead lawn doesn’t need expertise. Carrying out some simple tips and tricks can do the job.
1. Apply Fungicide
Though most lawns recover without chemicals, you may need to fight brown patches with fungicides. Depending on the fungicide, improvements can start showing in as early as 24 hours.
2. Eliminate Excessive Thatch
Thatching is when some decomposing plant materials create a layer of buildup across your soil’s surface. A Thatch thicker than a half-inch can negatively affect the movement of nutrients, air, and water. Furthermore, excessive thatch prevents roots from developing correctly, resulting in disease and insect issues.
Eliminate any excess thatch with a power rake or vertical mower. Comb through the grass in a back and forth motion with enough pressure to reach the bottom layer of thatch and penetrate the soil slightly.
3. Water Your Lawn Properly
Ensure to water your lawn correctly since excessive moisture can lead to brown patches. 10 a.m. or between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the ideal times so that the grass dries out fully before nightfall. If you let your grass stay wet all night, it can become more susceptible to pests and disease.
4. Aerate Your Lawn
Since timing is the key, aerate your lawn in late spring and early autumn using a solid and long-handled fork. Lawns can become compacted through various weather conditions that restrict the absorption of water, air, and nutrients at the root level.
Dig the fork down into the lawn and create small holes. Leave at least a set of holes every two feet or until the entire lawn is aerated. This will stimulate new growth, improve water drainage, and de-compact your lawn below surface level.
5. Mowing Can Grow Your Grass Thicker
When the cold winter is almost over, and your grass seedlings are established and dry, start mowing at least once in two weeks in spring. In summer, mow your lawn once a week to encourage full and thick regrowth.
6. Stay off Your Lawn During Drought
Avoid foot traffic and lawn equipment on your lawn, especially during drought. The weight of these activities can compact the soil, which makes it more difficult for the lawn to absorb moisture.
7. Leave Grass Clippings on the Lawn
Grass clippings can provide much-needed moisture. After mowing, leave these clippings but don’t let them get too thick or clump together in mats because they may suffocate the lawn.
