Is My Grass Dead or Just Dormant?

During hot summers or cold winters, lawns can suddenly turn brown or look lifeless, leaving many wondering if their grass has died. Thankfully, it’s often just a natural dormancy phase.

What is grass dormancy?

Dormancy is how grass protects itself during stressful conditions, such as drought or extreme cold. Growth slows down, and the grass turns brown to conserve moisture and energy. This is completely normal and part of your lawn’s survival strategy.

How do I know if my grass is dead or dormant?

Here are some simple checks:

• Try the tug test: Gently pull at a few brown blades. If they resist and stay rooted, your grass is dormant. If they pull out easily with no resistance, that area may be dead.

• Look for green shoots: Even during drought, you’ll often see some green growth near the base.

• Check for moisture: If the soil is bone dry, your grass is likely dormant. If it’s moist but grass remains brown, some die-back may have occurred.

Will my lawn recover after dormancy?

Most UK lawns recover well once normal weather conditions return. With moisture and warmth, new growth quickly greens up the lawn again.

How can I help my lawn recover?

• Water thoroughly: Give your lawn a deep soak to rehydrate the roots. For watering tips, visit my How and When to Water Your Lawn page.

• Feed appropriately: Apply a seasonal fertiliser to encourage strong regrowth. Check my Lawn Treatments & Feeding page for guidance.

• Avoid mowing too short: Keep grass slightly longer to protect roots during recovery.

When is grass truly dead?

Grass may die if drought or waterlogging is severe and prolonged. Dead patches will need overseeding or repair. Learn how on my Overseeding & Lawn Repairs page.

Professional lawn assessment and repairs

Unsure if your lawn is dormant or dead? I can assess its condition and recommend the best approach to bring it back to life.

Concerned about brown patches on your lawn?

Message me or call 07488 390 576 to book a professional lawn assessment.

Happy Gardening