Every time you go outside, having a lawn that is so lush and green that the neighbors are envious can make you happy. It looks great, it boosts your curb appeal, and can really put a smile on your face.

Give the seed the best possible start by giving it plenty of deep, thorough water with a garden hose and spray nozzle on the gentlest setting to revive dead grass.

Your mood can completely change when you begin to notice dead patches in your lawn. Few things can be more frustrating and you want a solution—fast.

Making the issue worse is obviously the last thing you want to do. Certain actions should definitely be taken, while others should be avoided.

That’s why we’ve rounded up a handy list of how to get dead grass to grow—as well as what to avoid doing.

How to Fix Dead Grass and Brown Spots on the Lawn

Although it can be difficult, it is not impossible to fix dead grass and bare spots on a lawn. Here are some steps you can take to bring your lawn back to life:

Remove Debris and Dead Grass

Clear out any dead, matted turf and other debris to prevent disease and pests from spreading. When planted directly in soil, grass will root and germinate most effectively.

Dethatch

Dethatching is the process of removing the layer of dead grass, roots, and other organic matter from a lawn. This buildup, called “thatch,” can prevent water, air, and nutrients from reaching the grass roots.

Overseed Or Bare Spot Repair

To revive the lawn, it might be necessary to repair bare spots or overseed areas where there is extensive dead grass.

Grass seed germinates best in the fall’s cooler, damp conditions. In soil that is still sufficiently warm for growth, this enables the young roots to get off to a good start. Your yard will look thick, lush, and green in the spring if you spend a little extra time in September and October revitalizing your grass.

Make grass seed germination easy withGreenView Fairway Formula Seeding Success. This is a starter fertilizer that is mixed into small pieces of paper mulch to serve as both a mulch and a starter fertilizer. As soon as the grass seed sprouts, the paper mulch will decompose, so there is no cleanup required.

Water the Lawn Deeply and Infrequently

It is preferable to water the lawn for a longer period once a week as opposed to a shorter amount every day.

It’s crucial to keep the seedbed consistently damp until the seed is up. A new grass plant may be killed if the soil is allowed to become dry after it has emerged from the seed because dry seeds won’t germinate well, if at all.

In hot, dry weather, you’ll probably need to dampen the surface once or twice a day unless you’re using GreenView’s Fairway Formula Seeding Success – as the product keeps seeds moist longer while they germinate. Reduce watering to once every few days once the grass reaches a height of 2 inches or more.

Mow the Lawn at the Proper Height

When it is about 4 inches tall, begin cutting the grass. The ideal mowing height for most lawns is 2-3 inches. Too little grass can stress plants and increase their susceptibility to disease.

Practice Proper Lawn Care

Regular mowing, watering, fertilizing, and taking care of any problems that develop, like pests or diseases, are all part of this.

Most Importantly, Be Patient

It takes time and effort to revive a dead lawn, but with the right care, you can do it. It’s important to understand that the method for reviving dead grass varies depending on the cause of death.

Is My Grass Dead Or Dormant?

Dead grass and dormant grass are both brown grass, but there are critical differences between the two.

Dead grass is a grass that has died and will not recover. It is usually brittle, dry, and brown, and when touched, the blades do not flex or bend.

Grass that is dormant, on the other hand, has temporarily stopped growing as a result of environmental factors like extreme heat, cold, or drought. Although dormant grass appears brown and dry, it still has bendable blades that can be touched.

You can try a tug test on the blades to differentiate between dead and dormant grass. They are dead if they rise up without difficulty. Dormant plants are ones that are still rooted.

Most Common Causes of Dead Grass

Brown patches of dead grass on the lawn can be caused by a variety of factors, and finding the cause is crucial if you want to take the right steps.

Fungal Lawn Diseases

An organism known as a fungus that thrives in warm, moist environments is the cause of fungal diseases like brown patch. This disease can cause circular patches of dead or dying grass, and it is most active in the spring and fall.

Grub Damage

The larvae of Japanese beetles and other insects that eat the roots of grass cause grub damage. The result could be browning and death of the grass. To prevent grub damage, you can use grub control products or take measures to prevent adult beetles from laying eggs on your lawn.

Animal Damage

By excavating your lawn in search of grubs or other insects, animals like moles, skunks, and raccoons can harm it. These animals sometimes leave ruts and areas of dead grass in their wake. You can put up a physical barrier, like a fence, or use animal repellents to stop animal damage.

Due to the high nitrogen content in dog urine, dead patches of grass can also result from its use. To prevent this, you can train your dog to use a specific yard area and avoid urinating in the same spot repeatedly.

Heat and Drought

Dead patches of grass can also result from heat and drought. Grass may turn brown and die during extended periods of heat or drought. It’s crucial to water your lawn sparingly and deeply to avoid this.

Poor Soil

Dead grass can result from poor soil because it lacks vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that the grass needs to grow. Additionally, unfavorable soil that is compacted or poorly drained can prevent grass roots from absorbing the required amounts of water and oxygen, which will cause the grass to die.

Conclusion

The quickest method for repairing a damaged or dead turf area is to lay sod on it. Any time of the season is appropriate for laying it. The soil should be prepared in the same manner as for seeding repairs. So that the new grass will be level with the lawn, keep the area about an inch or so below grade. To fit the repair site, cut a piece of the sod strip. It should be pressed firmly into the ground with its edges flush against the surrounding lawn. Put some weight on it by walking on it. Water deeply and often until roots grow into the soil beneath the sod.

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