To maintain lawns, you need to understand if the sod is dead or dormant, as it is time and money-saving. Dormant and dead sods are not the same. Here, we will help you learn the nuances well.
What is Dead Sod?
You cannot rejuvenate dead sod. Grass dies, and its roots deteriorate, making the soil underneath compact or infertile. You will know it when brown patches appear and do not respond to fertilization and watering. Dead sod is much like a damaged carpet- completely out of order!
The good thing is you can remove dead sod easily by pulling it with a tug. Then, the only way out is to discard it.
Most cool-season grasses enter dormancy when temperatures consistently fall below 56°F (13°C), while warm-season grasses do so at temperatures below 65°F (18°C).
https://extension.usu.edu/yardandgarden/research/is-your-lawn-dead-or-dormant
What is Dormant Sod?
Dormant sod is in a sleeping phase. It can be caused by environmental stress like high temperature and winter chill. It is an energy conservation effort and a survival mechanism. Dormant sod needs proper care to rejuvenate.
Dormant sod looks brown and lifeless but the roots are not dead. Dig a small section to check if the roots are still moist and green.
Dormant grass can recover and turn green again within one week of proper watering if the dormancy is due to lack of moisture. For cold-induced dormancy, recovery generally occurs in early to mid-spring, depending on climate conditions.
Key Differences
| Feature | Dead Sod | Dormant Sod |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Brown, lifeless, no response to care | Brown but may show signs of life |
| Tug Test | Comes out easily | Resists pulling |
| Root Condition | Deteriorated, often mushy | Alive, may still be moist and green |
| Recovery Potential | None | Can recover with proper care |
5 Practical Methods to Tell the Difference
1. Try the Tug Test
The tug test is a simple but effective way to check if the grass is dormant or dead. Pluck out some brown grass gently. If the grass comes out without any resistance, it is dead. In contrast, plucking out dormant grass will not be easy, even if it appears lifeless.
For dead grass, take these steps to rejuvenate the lawn:
- At first, mow the existing grass heavily so that seeds can reach the soil. Enrich the soil with compounds that enhance fertility.
- Laying sod will fetch you quicker results. However, you will need to remove dead grass beforehand and prepare the soil.
- As an alternative, you can replace the grass with mulch, groundcover and rocks for landscaping with little to no maintenance.
2. Look for Patterns
Check for the patterns of the brown patches in the lawn. See if:
- The entire lawn is brown or not.
- There are patches of brown grass.
If the entire lawn is brown, it can be dormant grass. However, scattered brown spots may indicate dead grass caused by turf ailments, pest invasion, etc.
Before thinking the grass is dead, check for:
- Pests like chinch bugs and grubs.
- Turf diseases such as dollar spot or brown patch fungus.
If necessary, you can hire a professional for soil test.
3. Consider Temperature Changes
Temperature fluctuations can lead to grass becoming dormant or dying. Grass types react differently to temperature changes:
- Cool-season grasses like ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass enter a dormant stage in the summer months.
- Warm-season grasses like zoysia and Bermuda grass turn dormant in winter.
Dormant grass rejuvenates with seasonal changes. However, without care and during extreme drought or frost, the grass can wither away.
How to keep your lawn green yearlong? Mix warm-season and cool-season grasses together in the lawn.
4. Follow a Watering Schedule
Adhere to a consistent watering routine, and you will know if the grass is dormant or dead. With proper hydration, brown grass caused by dryness may recover. So, you should:
- Adhere to a watering schedule, especially during heat waves.
- Water in the morning to ensure moisture reaches the soil.
Dormant grass will become green when hydrated well. Dead grass will remain brown at any rate. However, remember that overwatering will stress the lawn.
5. Test for Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases can make your lawn brown and resemble the signs of dead and dormant grass. You can:
- Check the lawn for insects and holes in the soil.
- Check for any fungal growth, indicative of turf ailments.
If there are any pests or diseases, use appropriate pesticides or fungicides to prevent further damage. You may have to replace the damaged patches through over seeding.
Conclusion
A proper assessment of lawn damage and timely intervention is necessary to cope with dormant and dead sod. Using tug tests and a consistent watering routine can be helpful.
Last modified: January 13, 2025
