When a lawn fades from deep green to a uniform brown or straw-like appearance, homeowners must determine if the grass is dead or merely dormant. Dormancy is a temporary, reversible survival mechanism where the plant sacrifices above-ground growth to protect the living tissue at its base, often triggered by extreme heat or drought. Death, conversely, is the permanent failure of the entire plant structure. Determining the actual condition of your turf requires a systematic approach using physical and observational checks.
Conducting the Vitality Check
The most immediate way to assess the grass’s condition is through the hands-on physical inspection known as the “tug test.” Grab a small handful of brown grass blades and pull gently upward from the soil surface. If the grass resists the tug and remains firmly anchored, the root system is likely intact, indicating dormancy. If the entire clump pulls out effortlessly, however, it strongly indicates that the roots have failed and the grass is dead.
Further confirmation comes from examining the plant’s crown, the tissue found right at the base of the grass blade, just above the root zone. Carefully pull up a few sample plants and strip away the dead, brown outer sheaths to expose this inner tissue. A healthy, dormant crown will appear firm and retain a pale white or light green color, confirming the plant holds energy reserves. If the crown tissue is entirely brown, brittle, and dry, or if the underlying roots are dark brown, black, and crumbly, the grass has perished and will not recover.
Distinguishing Dormancy From Permanent Damage
The primary trigger for turf dormancy is prolonged lack of moisture paired with high temperatures, resulting in drought-induced dormancy. This survival strategy halts nutrient and water consumption to preserve the living crown and root system until favorable conditions return, typically causing uniform browning across the stressed area.
To definitively distinguish between dormancy and permanent damage, perform a localized watering test. Select a small, inconspicuous area of brown turf, about one square foot, and apply deep irrigation to saturate the soil four to six inches deep. This provides the moisture necessary to break dormancy without forcing the entire lawn out of survival mode. Monitor this test area closely over the next five to seven days for any signs of green regrowth at the base of the brown blades.
If the test patch shows new green shoots, the turf was dormant, and the damage is reversible with consistent moisture. If the deeply watered area remains completely brown and brittle after a full week, the grass has suffered permanent cell damage or death and will need replacement.
Identifying Common Causes of Grass Stress
If brown areas appear in distinct, irregular patches or patterns rather than uniformly, the cause is likely a localized factor like disease or pests, not widespread dormancy.
Fungal Diseases
Fungal diseases are frequent culprits, presenting with specific visual cues. Brown Patch disease creates circular areas of dead grass, sometimes surrounded by a darker “smoke ring” visible in the early morning. Dollar Spot creates small, straw-colored spots roughly the size of a coin, with individual blades showing white or tan lesions. The presence of a powdery, rust-colored coating on the grass blades is a clear sign of the fungal disease rust.
Insect Pests
Insect pests, particularly grubs (larvae), cause damage by feeding directly on the grass roots, resulting in irregular brown patches. Grub-damaged turf may feel spongy underfoot and can often be rolled back like a rug, revealing the white, C-shaped larvae underneath. Chinch bugs feed on grass sap, creating irregular, yellowing patches often mistaken for drought stress, typically appearing in the hottest, sunniest parts of the lawn.