Seeing a newly laid sod lawn turn brown is alarming, especially after the investment of time and money, but this discoloration does not automatically mean the grass is dead. Sod is highly vulnerable during its establishment phase as it transitions from the farm to your soil. Brown sod is often salvageable, having simply entered a state of self-preservation known as dormancy. By quickly and correctly diagnosing the problem, you can take action to revive your turf and help it establish deep, healthy roots.
Diagnosing If Your Sod Is Truly Dead
The first step is to determine if your sod is dormant or truly dead, as only dormant grass can be revived. Dormancy is a natural survival mechanism where the grass blades turn brown to conserve energy and water while the crown and root system remain alive. To check the sod’s viability, perform the “tug test” on a small section of the affected area.
Grasp a handful of the brown grass blades and give them a gentle pull. If the grass resists and remains firmly anchored to the soil, the roots are still alive, and the sod is only dormant. If the grass pulls up easily, the root system has failed, and the sod is likely dead and requires replacement. Inspect the grass crown, the white or pale green area right at the soil line, as a living crown confirms the plant is still viable.
Identifying the Specific Cause of Browning
Once you confirm the sod is salvageable, you must pinpoint the cause of the stress, which is often one of three main culprits. The most frequent issue is water stress, including both under-watering and over-watering. New sod lacks a deep root system and can dry out quickly, turning brown from drought shock. However, excessive water leads to root rot by suffocating the roots and preventing oxygen absorption.
Installation errors or shock can also cause browning if the sod was laid too long after harvesting or if the underlying soil was poorly prepared. Air pockets between the sod and the subgrade prevent new roots from making contact with the soil, halting water and nutrient uptake. Another cause is fungal disease, such as brown patch, which typically appears as circular or irregular patches of brown grass with a darker border.
The Step-by-Step Sod Revival Plan
Correcting Water Stress
The immediate action to revive dormant sod is to correct the watering schedule, focusing on deep, consistent saturation rather than frequent, shallow sprinklings. For a lawn suffering from dehydration, provide a deep soak until the top four to six inches of soil are moist, then monitor the weather and soil moisture closely. If the browning was caused by over-watering, allow the soil to dry out completely before resuming a deep, but less frequent, watering schedule.
Improving Soil Contact and Nutrition
If improper soil contact or compaction is suspected, light aeration can help water and air penetrate the root zone. Using a garden fork or a spiking tool to gently create small holes in the soil can improve drainage and gas exchange without damaging the still-developing roots. After the initial rehydration, provide nutrient support by applying a low-nitrogen, root-specific starter fertilizer. This type of fertilizer encourages deep root growth rather than excessive blade growth, which can stress the recovering plant.
Treating Fungal Disease
For turf where fungal disease was confirmed, a targeted treatment is necessary. Apply a systemic or curative fungicide appropriate for the specific disease, ensuring you follow the product’s instructions precisely. Treat only after correcting the underlying environmental issue, such as poor drainage or over-watering, as fungicides are a temporary fix without addressing the cause. Patience is required, as revived sod may take several weeks to begin showing new green growth.
Preventing Future Browning and Stress
Once your sod has returned to a healthy green state, maintaining proper care practices prevents future browning. Establish a mowing routine that never removes more than one-third of the grass blade height in a single cutting. This practice ensures the grass plant retains enough surface area for efficient photosynthesis, which is necessary to fuel strong root development.
Consider having a professional soil test performed to understand the lawn’s pH and nutrient composition. Knowing the soil’s specific deficiencies allows for a proactive and targeted fertilization plan, preventing nutrient-related stress. Adjust your watering schedule as seasons change; preparing for high heat or drought requires increasing the depth of water penetration to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil.