The best balance is less than half an inch of clippings, because more grass will prevent the soil from getting the necessary nutrients. Ornamental grass clumps grow from the inside out. Mow the grass on a high setting until it has had time to recover, fertilize and water the lawn to boost growth, and be sure to keep weeds away by using preventive measures. In this case, you’ll need to aerate the lawn and tousle the topsoil to allow nutrients to move freely. Read our, Why You Should Keep Off the Lawn on Frosty Mornings, How to to Get Rid of Brown Patch Fungus on Grass, How to Mulch, Rake, or Compost Your Leaves, How to Fertilize Your Garden or Lawn in Late Fall, How to Winterize Your Lawn and Garden in Fall, The Biggest Lawn-Care Mistake Is Cutting the Grass Too Short, Identifying and Controlling Snow Mold in Your Lawn. As soon as you can in the spring, soak the affected areas to wash away salt and chemicals. Winter kill can occur under a variety of conditions. When grass goes dormant for the cold winter months, it shuts down and turns brown in order to conserve water and nutrients. When they're brown in spring, that can signal a tough winter just passed, especially if low snowfall left grass without much insulation. Winter lawn damage is a common problem across the country, but it doesn’t have to mean your hopes of a beautiful lawn are shattered. For the most part, turf grasses that are well cared for will be resilient and strong, but winter weather can be unforgiving to even the best lawns. Even if you cannot pinpoint the primary cause of the grass discolouration, the following steps should ease the problem. Steps To Minimize Lawn Damage During The Winter. This is just a warning sign that you should be on the lookout for dead grass – but your lawn has most likely gone dormant for the winter. This is most common in late winter and early spring, especially when unexpected frost occurs in warm climates planted with warm-season grasses. Grass that is dead will not come back, but there are steps you can take to have a lush, green lawn again. Your grass should stay at three inches long until fall, otherwise it could dry out. You will also see the difference when you start to water or when rain returns as moisture will revive brown grass. Save to My scrapbook A brown lawn, caused by drought. Winterkill of Turfgrasses. This typically costs between $50 and $200. They will return to normal conditions when the weather changes. Or, if you’re in a hurry to cover the patch, the quick solution is to buy sod, which is pre-grown grass. If the plants pull out from the ground easily, they’re probably dead. How to Judge your Grass As your lawn starts to recover from the winter, last year’s leftover weeds and seeds start to re-emerge. A professional lawn care company can aerate your soil and have the lawn looking like new, helping you to bring back your dead grass after winter. You can do this yourself on a weekend or have a professional come in. Kelly Burke is a freelance writer and professional turf manager. Bermuda is a special type of grass so its mowing requirements are also different from other grass types. Removing excess debris also allows you to see any bare, short or messy areas in the grass that may need extra care. Determining if a patch of grass is dead or just dormant can be difficult. A close examination is required. This is a natural occurrence and does not indicate any problems with your lawn. As already discussed Bermuda grass grows in quick span of time so it need too short mowing and also frequent mowing when compared to other grass types. Warm-season grasses go dormant when cooler temperatures arrive. Dead grass will be shriveled with dead roots. Dead patches of grass on lawns are very common. Updated January 2019: By searching, you agree to the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy. Fertilize intermittently, as too much could lead to pests and weeds. *Listing fee varies by market, minimums apply, buyer agent commission not included. If you notice dead brown grass when the snow melts (more likely on the edges), it's time to take action. Dead grass is hard to detect, especially during hot summer months, when grass often becomes dormant as a response to heat and accompanying drier … Grubs are little worms that live beneath the surface and eat the roots of your grass. A very identifiable type of winter kill is caused by voles—small rodents that leave narrow meandering bands of dead grass on the lawn. This is just a warning sign that you should be on the lookout for dead grass – but your lawn has most likely gone dormant for the winter. Ornamental grass clumps grow from the inside out. The smell of fresh, green grass is one of the very best things about spring, but that simple pleasure can be ruined if the snow recedes and you discover your grass is looking less than perfect. Winter lawn damage is a common problem across the country, but it doesn’t have to mean your hopes of a beautiful lawn are shattered. To keep your lawn in good shape through spring and into summer, make sure you mow in regular intervals. Here are some tips on reviving your lawn for the warmer months ahead. Dormant grass will be firm at the base and resist a gentle tug. You can also use a non-chemical approach to preventive weed treatment, such as cornmeal. To fix a brown lawn does not always mean that your lawn leaving! Cause, restoring green and healthy grass portions out not come back, but the same true! Refers to any severe damage or death sustained by turf grass can breathe and access nutrients with grasses...: if the roots hold fast when pulled, the grasses will turn and. 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