Is your lawn looking more brown and patchy than green and lush? That dormant grass can be a real eyesore, but don’t worry—it’s often just sleeping. Learning how to wake up dormant grass is simpler than you might think. With the right steps, you can revitalize your sleeping lawn and get it growing strong again.
Grass goes dormant to protect itself from stress, usually from a lack of water or extreme temperatures. It’s a survival mechanism, not a death sentence. Your job is to provide the right conditions to encourage it to start growing again. Let’s walk through the process.
How to Wake Up Dormant Grass
First, you need to confirm your grass is dormant and not dead. Here’s a quick test: grab a handful of grass crowns at the base and give a gentle tug. If it resists, it’s dormant. If it pulls out easily with no green or white at the base, it’s likely dead. Once you know it’s sleeping, you can begin the revival process.
Step 1: The Right Timing is Everything
You can’t force grass out of dormancy at the wrong time of year. For cool-season grasses, early fall is ideal. For warm-season grasses, wait for late spring when soil temperatures consistently hit 55°F or higher. Trying too early can waste effort and resources.
Step 2: Give it a Good, Deep Soak
Dormancy is often triggered by drought. The first step to breaking it is thorough watering. You need to soak the soil deeply to reach the roots.
- Water early in the morning.
- Provide about 1 to 1.5 inches of water in a single session.
- Use a rain gauge or a straight-sided can to measure.
- This deep watering encourages roots to grow downward.
Step 3: Careful Mowing and Cleanup
Once you see signs of green growth, it’s time for the first mow. Be gentle. Set your mower blade to its highest setting to avoid stressing the new grass. Remove any matted leaves or debris that can block sunlight and air from reaching the soil. This allows the soil to warm up faster and gives the grass room to breathe.
Dealing with Thatch Buildup
A thin layer of thatch is normal, but if it’s over half an inch thick, it can prevent water and nutrients from getting through. Use a spring-tine rake to gently dethatch the areas where grass is actively growing back. Don’t be too aggressive on still-dormant patches.
Step 4: Feed Your Lawn a Balanced Meal
After watering and the first mow, your grass will be hungry. Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer. Look for a formula with a good mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
- A 16-4-8 or similar ratio is often a safe bet.
- Follow the application rates on the bag precisely—more is not better.
- Water lightly after applying to help the granules dissolve and move into the soil.
Step 5: Overseed to Fill in Bare Patches
Even with the best care, some areas might not come back. Overseeding helps fill these in. Choose a seed that matches your existing grass type.
- Rake the bare spots to loosen the soil surface.
- Spread the seed evenly according to package directions.
- Lightly cover the seed with a thin layer of compost or topsoil to protect it.
- Keep the seeded areas consistently moist until the new grass is established.
Step 6: Stay Consistent with Care
Reviving a lawn isn’t a one-day job. After the initial treatment, stick to a solid maintenance routine. This means regular, deep watering (about 1 inch per week), mowing at the proper height, and following a seasonal fertilization schedule. Consistency prevents the grass from slipping back into dormancy from stress.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When you’re eager to see green, it’s easy to overdo it. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Overwatering at the start: A deep soak is different from daily shallow watering, which can promote shallow roots and fungus.
- Fertilizing too early: Applying fertilizer to completely brown, dormant grass can burn it or feed weeds instead.
- Scalping the lawn: Mowing too low removes too much leaf tissue and shocks the plant.
- Ignoring soil compaction: If your soil is hard, aerate it in the growing season to improve air and water movement.
FAQs: Revitalizing Your Lawn
How long does it take for dormant grass to turn green?
With proper water and warmer temperatures, you should see improvement within 2 to 3 weeks. Full recovery might take a full growing season, especially if overseeding was needed.
Can you wake up dormant grass in the summer?
For cool-season grasses in summer heat, it’s often better to let it stay dormant until fall. Waking it would require immense amounts of water and it would likely just stress again. For warm-season grass, summer is its prime growing time, so waking it is the goal.
Should you water dormant grass in the winter?
Generally, no. Watering during freezing temperatures can cause ice to form around the crowns and damage the grass. Only water during winter if there’s an extended dry spell in a warmer climate and the ground isn’t frozen.
What’s the difference between dead grass and dormant grass?
Dormant grass will have living crowns and roots (usually white or tan and firm). Dead grass has brittle, brown roots and crowns that pull away from the soil easily. The “tug test” is the easiest way to tell.
Does raking help dormant grass?
Yes, but only at the right time. Gentle raking to remove debris is helpful as the grass starts to green up. Heavy raking on completely brown lawn can damage the crowns, so wait for signs of life.
Bringing a dormant lawn back to life requires patience and the right actions in the correct order. Start by confirming it’s alive, then provide deep water, gentle mowing, proper nutrition, and fill in any gaps with seed. Avoid common rush jobs like over-fertilizing. Stick with a consistent care routine, and your lawn will reward you with a thick, green carpet once again. Remember, a healthy lawn going into a stressful season is the best defence against prolonged dormancy next year.