The sight of a brown lawn during a summer drought often leads to a dilemma: should you water heavily to revive the green, or is that water waste? The initial instinct is to irrigate until the color returns, but this often misunderstands the grass’s biological state. When turfgrass turns a uniform straw-color due to heat and lack of rain, it is typically in a state of survival called dormancy. Understanding this natural defense mechanism is the first step toward effective and responsible lawn care during a dry spell. This approach ensures the lawn survives the drought without unnecessary water consumption.
Defining Grass Dormancy
Dormancy is a physiological process where the grass temporarily stops active growth to conserve energy and moisture under environmental stress, such as prolonged drought or extreme heat. It is a survival mechanism that allows the plant to protect its most valuable parts for future recovery. The visual signs are the browning or yellowing of the grass blades, which are the least important part of the plant for survival. During dormancy, the grass shifts its resources away from the leaf tissue and concentrates energy in the crown and the root system. As long as this crown tissue remains alive, the grass plant retains the capability to recover and green up once favorable growing conditions return.
Dormant vs. Dead: Assessing Lawn Survival
Determining if a brown lawn is dormant or dead is the most important diagnostic step before deciding on a watering strategy. A simple and effective method is the “tug test”: gently grasp a small section of the brown grass and pull upward. If the grass offers resistance and remains firmly anchored to the soil, it is likely dormant, indicating the root system is still intact. If the grass pulls out of the ground easily with no resistance, the roots have likely failed, and the patch is dead. Another check involves examining the crown tissue at the base of the plant; a dormant plant will often have a pale white or off-white crown, whereas a dead plant will be brown and brittle all the way through.
When Supplemental Watering is Necessary
The core purpose of watering dormant grass is not to make it green, but solely to sustain the life of the crown and root tissue. If the drought is short-lived, generally less than three to four weeks, established, healthy turfgrass can often survive without any supplemental water. Watering becomes necessary only when a severe, prolonged drought threatens the plant’s survival, typically after four to six weeks of dry, hot conditions. Additionally, high-traffic areas, such as paths or play zones, may require attention sooner because foot traffic can physically damage the dry, brittle crown tissue. The goal remains survival, not breaking dormancy, which can prematurely deplete the plant’s stored energy reserves.
Practical Watering Requirements for Dormancy
When survival watering is deemed necessary, the application must be minimal and infrequent, focusing a very small amount of moisture on the crown. This is not a deep watering designed to promote root growth, but a light, surface application. Turf specialists generally recommend applying approximately one-quarter inch of water once every two weeks. This shallow amount is enough to keep the crown hydrated without encouraging the grass to come out of dormancy and start using up its stored energy. The best time for watering is in the early morning, ideally between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., as this minimizes water loss to evaporation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.