7 Easy Tips on How to Revive Dormant Grass

Team McFly Oct 30, 2023
10 People Read
dormant-grass
Table of Contents
  1. How to Revive Dormant Grass
    1. 1. Fertilizer
    2. 2. Lawn Aeration
    3. 3. Fertilizer After Aeration
    4. 4. Watering
    5. 5. Keeping Weeds in Check
    6. 6. Pests
    7. 7. Maintaining Moisture in the Soil Before Dormancy
    8. Conclusion
    9. Recent Featured Articles:

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

How to Revive Dormant Grass

Inspect the lawn thoroughly and ensure there are no dead grass patches. If the color of the lawn is uniformly brown and there are no signs of any visible life, it may be dormant. You will need to fertilize the lawn and give it some water. If you are not sure what to do, you can hire a professional to do this for you. There are a few tips you can follow to revitalize the lawn.

1. Fertilizer

If you want to reseed your lawn but are not sure where to start, there are some simple ways to help it grow again. First, you should use a starter fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus. This will speed up seeding and help the new grass sprout quickly. However, this process can take several weeks if the weather is right. To save yourself the trouble, you can use a slow-release organic fertilizer such as Milorganite.

mowing-dormant-grass

2. Lawn Aeration

Lawn aeration can be a very helpful way to bring back a brown or dead lawn. Creating small holes in the lawn will allow the grass's roots to breathe. This service is often offered by professional lawn-care services and is ideal to have done before the start of spring. It is also an excellent idea to dethatch your lawn before the process to allow more oxygen to reach the roots. The dead grass should be removed 3/4 inch above the roots, and fertilizer should be applied. Check out this guide to aerating your lawn.

pennington-smart-seed-bag

Pennington Smart Seed

3. Fertilizer After Aeration

After performing lawn aeration, you may notice your lawn looks drab or dead. This is caused by compacted soil. This makes it difficult for your grass to receive the essential nutrients it needs to thrive. This is particularly stressful for lawn grasses, making them look sick or thin out over time. Aerating the soil allows the needed nutrients and water to reach the roots of your lawn grass.

watering-grass

4. Watering

If you have noticed that your grass has gone dormant, there are several things you can do to help it come back to life. Your lawn is likely dormant if you notice patches of dead grass or a uniform brown color. Watering will wake the grass up and cause it to grow again. If, on the other hand, the grass has completely died, you will need to replace it.

Watering your lawn during the morning and early evening is best. This is because the heat during the day can cause water to evaporate. If you water your lawn in the afternoon, the water will remain on the surface of the grass and may not reach the roots of the plants. This can lead to sunburn or disease.

To avoid these conditions, you should water your lawn in the morning and evening. When watering your lawn, make sure you mow it at a lower height than usual. Cutting your lawn too short can damage its grass blades. You should wait 48 hours to two days before mowing.

lawn-sprinkler

Set your mower at a height of 3 inches. If you want your lawn to look its best, wait for two days before mowing it. It's okay to mow your lawn after watering, but be sure to avoid mowing it for a few days. Overwatering can lead to a variety of problems. First, it causes soil compaction, which prevents the turf from springing back under foot traffic.

It also prevents dethatching. Another problem with overwatering is that it interferes with the root system, making it more susceptible to pests and fungal diseases. Secondly, it leaves tire tracks on your lawn, which makes it very difficult to mow properly.

5. Keeping Weeds in Check

lawn-weed-killer

BIOADVANCED 704140 All-in-One Lawn Weed And Crabgrass Killer Garden Herbicide

Keeping weeds in check is one of the best ways to revitalize your dormant grass. Weeds thrive in dry periods and rob the dormant grass of the necessary nutrients to stay healthy. Several methods can be used to keep weeds at bay, including herbicides. Another classic method is pulling weeds. But keep in mind that weeds may come back if you leave them untreated.

6. Pests

When a lawn goes dormant, there are several things you can do to bring it back to life. For example, if it has been dry and brown, it should start to green up once it is irrigated. However, if you find that the grass is entirely brown throughout, it may be a sign of dead grass or a fungus. To make sure your lawn is in good shape, you should follow these steps to revive it.

7. Maintaining Moisture in the Soil Before Dormancy

Understanding the reasons behind dormancy and how to combat it is crucial to avoiding problems with your plants. Dormant seeds require a certain amount of water to germinate. The water they receive during the germination process is similar to the water they receive during the freezing phase of the seed. Therefore, they should never be dried again after absorbing water. If they dry out too much, they will die and not germinate.

Conclusion

I hope these tips on how to revive dormant grass have been helpful. If your lawn is looking a little worse for wear, don't despair with a little bit of effort, you can get it looking green and healthy again in no time. Remember to aerate, seed, and fertilize regularly, and your lawn will be the envy of the neighborhood in no time.

Recent Featured Articles:

Your Guide to Spring Lawn Care: Lawn Fly

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Table of Contents
  1. How to Revive Dormant Grass
    1. 1. Fertilizer
    2. 2. Lawn Aeration
    3. 3. Fertilizer After Aeration
    4. 4. Watering
    5. 5. Keeping Weeds in Check
    6. 6. Pests
    7. 7. Maintaining Moisture in the Soil Before Dormancy
    8. Conclusion
    9. Recent Featured Articles:

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.