Having a great lawn is one of the pillars of the American dream. However, if you walk outside and notice some brown or otherwise unsightly grass, you might be alarmed. But don’t worry.
In this post, we’re going to talk about how to tell the difference between dormant grass vs dead grass. That way, you’ll know exactly what to do to get your grass looking pristine once again.
And if your grass is indeed dead, it’s always best to reach out to the experts in lawn care in Johns Creek right away.
Dead Vs Dormant Grass
What’s the difference between dormant vs dead grass? Let’s define both types:
What Does Dormant Grass Look Like?
Understand that dormancy is actually a natural process that grass goes through. This mechanism allows it to withstand different temperature changes, especially in the winter. Dormant grass is brown evenly all over.
What Does Dead Grass Look Like?
When grass is dead, that simply means that it’s not going to grow back at all. It will be spotty and limp in some places. Each type of situation calls for different maintenance, service, or grass replacement.
That being said, let’s talk about the various ways you can tell the difference between dormant grass and dead grass:
The Tug Test
Sometimes the difference between dead grass vs dormant grass is not visible. However, here’s a way to see which one it is. Grab a section of grass that’s brown and then pull. If the grass comes out quickly and easily, then it’s dead.
Dormant grass will have some tug because it’s still alive and the fibers are still intact, including the cells. However, dead grass is not going to grow back. So if it comes out easily, then you want to take steps to regrow your lawn properly.
You can do this in several ways like installing new landscaping, mulch, seeding, sodding, and more. From there, you need to have the right watering as well. A healthy environment is key for ensuring the grass grows back healthfully.
Whether you need seed, sod, mulch, or anything, let the professional lawn maintenance company at Absolute Lawn Pros help you out.
Identify Patterns
When asking “Is my grass dead or dormant” look at the clues. Do you have some areas where the grass is green and others where it’s brown? This means the grass might be dead. Dormant grass will typically be brown all over.
If there are simply circles or spots where it’s brown, this typically indicates that the grass is dead there. So it’s time to look into possible solutions. You might even have your soil tested to see why your grass is turning brown.
Temperature Changes
Weather affects all living things, even plants and grass. It’s true that cool season grasses tend to go dormant if there’s significant heat. On the other hand, a warm season type of grass will lay dormant in the winter.
Sometimes these will just naturally become green again when the right temperatures present themselves. One solution to ensure that you have a green lawn all year round is to mix warm season and cool season grasses in your lawn.
It might even eliminate the need to ask “How to tell if grass is dead”?
Watering Schedule
One of the big killers of grass is dry heat. A mixture of too much sunshine without enough water can be deadly to grass. So make sure you’re using a proper watering schedule.
Consult professionals to understand how often you should water your lawn and how much water you should use, depending on the type of grass that you want.
Dead Grass Vs. Dormant Grass: Conclusion
There are several telltale signs if your grass is dormant vs. simply dead. However, they can be difficult to see to the untrained eye.
Furthermore, the right approach to take involves several techniques that should be left to the professionals. So, whether your grass is dead or dormant, reach out to Absolute Lawn Pros today.
Let the experts maintain and repair your grass. And you’ll never have to ask “How to tell if grass is dead or dormant” ever again.
