Grass turning brown is a common occurrence, especially during hot, dry seasons. Many homeowners see their lush, green lawns transform into unsightly brown patches and immediately think the grass is dead. However, brown grass is not necessarily dead grass. There are a few reasons why grass may turn brown and tips for how to restore your lawn to its former green glory.
What causes grass to turn brown?
There are several factors that can cause grass to turn brown:
- Lack of water – Insufficient watering is one of the most common reasons for brown grass. During hot, dry spells, grass needs about 1-1.5 inches of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. Without adequate moisture, the grass blades lose their green pigment and turn brown.
- Dormancy – Cool season grasses like fescue naturally go dormant and turn brown during the hot summer months as a survival mechanism. The grass essentially shuts down to conserve resources when conditions are unfavorable. When cooler temperatures arrive in fall, dormant grass will green back up after receiving moisture.
- Heat stress – Extreme high temperatures can scorch and brown grass blades, even if the lawn is being watered properly. This is especially common in areas with intense, prolonged summer heat.
- Pest or disease issues – Certain fungal diseases like brown patch, insect infestations like chinch bugs, and weed invasions can cause brown spots and patches in an otherwise healthy lawn.
- Poor drainage – Excess moisture from heavy rains, irrigation issues, or compacted soil can lead to root rot and brown grass. Good drainage is key to maintaining green color.
- Low nitrogen – Grass needs a steady supply of nitrogen fertilizer to stay green. An insufficient nitrogen level can cause uniform browning across the entire lawn.
- Too much shade – Grass struggles to thrive under dense shade. Excessive shade from trees or buildings often results in thin, weak grass growth and bare, brown spots.
- Excessive foot traffic – Heavy foot traffic from kids or pets playing on the lawn can wear down the grass, causing browning in high traffic areas.
Is my brown grass dead?
The only way to know for sure if brown grass is dead or dormant is to take a closer look at the individual grass blades. Here are some tips for determining whether your discolored lawn is still alive:
- Inspect the grass blades – Dormant grass will be intact but brown or straw-colored. Dead grass may be yellowish-brown and easily pulls out of the ground with no resistance.
- Check for new growth – Gently tug on the tips of grass blades to see if new, green growth is present at the crown. Any new growth is a sign the grass is still alive.
- Do a screwdriver test – Use a screwdriver to poke into the soil next to the brown grass. If you meet resistance from the grass roots, the grass likely isn’t dead.
- Apply some water – Water a small test section of the brown grass. If it doesn’t green up after a week or so, it may be dead. Dormant grass typically greens back up within days after receiving moisture.
- Look for pests – Examine the base of grass blades and soil for any signs of grubs, chinch bugs or other insects that can damage grass roots and lead to die off.
If the grass shows no sign of life based on these tests, it is probably dead and will need to be reseeded to restore growth. For grass that is still alive but dormant, the next step is determining what caused it to go brown in the first place so steps can be taken to bring it back to green.
How to revive and restore brown grass
The specific treatment needed to rehabilitate brown grass depends on the underlying cause. Here are some general tips for bringing an unhealthy, brown lawn back to life:
Water deeply and infrequently
Proper watering is key to restoring brown grass. Aim to water long and deep once or twice a week, providing about 1-1.5 inches per watering session. Avoid frequent, light sprinklings that only wet the surface of the soil. Deep watering will promote deep root growth for healthier grass.
Raise your mower height
Mowing brown grass too short will further stress and weaken it. Set your mower to the highest setting – around 3-4 inches – to provide more leaf surface area for the grass blades to photosynthesize and recover.
Apply a restorative fertilizer
Choose a fertilizer high in nitrogen and iron to provide the nutrients needed for regrowth. Slow-release organic fertilizers are ideal for nourishing grass without excessive growth flushes.
Dethatch and aerate
Thatch buildup and compacted soil prevent air, water and nutrients from reaching grass roots. Dethatching clears debris thatch from the lawn surface. Aerating pokes small holes in the soil to allow better penetration of resources. Do this in early fall or spring.
Overseed thin areas
If the brown lawn is patchy with areas of bare soil, overseeding with new grass seed will help fill in thinning areas. First loosen the top 1⁄4 inch of soil with a rake before spreading grass seed.
Treat pests and diseases
Determine if grub damage, fungal disease or weed competition is responsible for the brown color. Apply targeted products to remedy the specific pest or disease issue at hand.
Improve sunlight and airflow
For lawns browning due to excessive shade or poor airflow, selective tree trimming or removal may be necessary to provide the minimum 4-6 hours of direct sun grass needs. Improve airflow by thinning dense landscaping features.
Allow time for dormancy to end
Be patient with grass going through natural summer dormancy. Continue proper maintenance through the dormant period. The lawn should bounce back on its own when cooler weather returns in early fall.
With time and a little TLC, most brown lawns can make a full recovery. Monitor your lawn’s progress and response to treatment. If the grass fails to improve after several weeks, it may be time for resodding or reseeding portions that remain brown and bare.
When to reseed a lawn
If caring for brown grass fails to restore its appearance after several weeks, reseeding may be necessary. Here are some signs it’s time for a lawn reseeding project:
- Bare patches remain after aerating, dethatching and watering dormant grass
- Grass is completely dead and not coming back; reseeding is the only option
- Significant thinning is occurring due to heavy traffic, pets, disease, etc.
- More than 20-25% of the lawn is dirt/weeds
- Overseeding sparse areas in previous seasons failed to improve coverage
- A new lawn is being established from scratch
Late summer to early fall is the ideal time for lawn reseeding. The sowing of grass seed should correspond with periods of reduced heat stress and less weed pressure:
- Northern regions: early fall (late August/September)
- Southern regions: late fall (November/December)
- Coastal climates: early spring (March/April) or fall
Steps for reseeding a brown lawn
Follow this systematic process to successfully re-establish growth when reseeding a brown, damaged lawn:
- Remove debris: Clear away any dead grass, leaves, sticks and other debris from the lawn surface.
- Loosen the soil: Use a metal rake to gently rake and loosen the top 1⁄4 inch of soil where grass will be seeded.
- Apply starter fertilizer: Use a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus to help new grass plants thrive.
- Spread seed: Choose a grass seed variety suited to your climate. Evenly spread seed across bare areas at the recommended sowing rate.
- Water thoroughly: Water freshly seeded areas frequently to keep the top 1⁄2 inch of soil moist. Avoid letting seeds dry out.
- Let new grass establish: Allow one to two months for full germination and establishment of new grass plants.
- Mow when ready: Mow the new grass with a sharp mower blade set to a high cutting height. Wait until it reaches 3-4 inches before the first mowing.
With proper timing, ground prep and seeding techniques, a reseeded lawn can produce visible results within a few weeks. Be patient and consistent with watering and mowing as the new grass matures. In time, thin brown grass can be transformed back into a lush, green carpet.
When to sod vs. reseed a lawn
For large areas of dead grass, starting fresh with new sod may be a better option than reseeding. Here are some key differences between sodding and seeding:
| Sodding | Seeding |
|---|---|
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When deciding between sodding or seeding, consider these factors:
- Budget – Sodding costs approximately three to five times more than seeding
- Lawn size – Seeding works better for smaller areas under 1,000 sq.ft.
- Time – Sod provides instant gratification, while seed takes 1-2 months to mature
- Convenience – Seeding requires more frequent watering and care during establishment
- Soil – Sod tolerates a wider range of soil types; new seeds prefer amended soil
- Slope grade – Sod adheres better than seed on hills, slopes and uneven terrain
In general, sodding is better for quick repairs or renovating large areas of dead grass. Seeding can work well for overseeding smaller bare patches within an existing lawn. Weigh the pros and cons of each method to pick the right grass planting technique for your unique needs and situation.
Conclusion
Brown grass may look like a lost cause, but there are still steps you can take to get your lawn green again. Confirm whether the grass is dead or just dormant. Rule out and address common underlying causes like drought, pests, disease and poor maintenance. Improve growing conditions and care for the grass properly to support regrowth.
For lawns with considerable bare areas, a full reseeding or sodding may offer the clean slate needed to restart growth. While brown grass can be discouraging, a lawn can often make a surprisingly vibrant comeback and return to full health with some targeted troubleshooting and care. Don’t give up on brown grass too soon – a little effort and patience can go a long way in restoring its beauty.
