Is Your Lawn Dormant or Dying? Here’s How to Tell

We get it—nothing’s more frustrating than looking outside and seeing a once-green lawn now brown, patchy, or lifeless. But before you grab the seed or call it quits, there’s a very important distinction to make:

Is your lawn dead—or just taking a nap?

Believe it or not, grass has a natural way of protecting itself during harsh weather, especially in the hot summers and cool winters of Augusta and the CSRA. This state is called dormancy, and it can make your lawn look worse than it actually is.

So how do you tell the difference between a sleeping lawn and one that’s past the point of return? Let’s break it down.

Signs Your Lawn Is Dormant (a.k.a. Still Alive and Kickin’)

Dormancy is basically a lawn’s survival mode. When conditions get too dry, hot, or cold, grass stops growing and turns brown to conserve energy. It’s like hibernation—but for turf.

Here’s how to spot dormancy:

• Uniform Color Change: The entire lawn turns brown or straw-colored evenly.
• Firm Root Hold: Tug gently on the grass. Dormant turf will resist being pulled up.
• Visible Green at the Crown: Look closely at the base of the blade. If there’s a hint of green near the soil, you’ve got a sleeping beauty.
• Seasonal Timing: Grass often goes dormant in late summer (heat stress) or late fall (cold dormancy).

Pro Tip: Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia (common in Georgia) naturally go dormant in winter. Don’t panic—it’s normal!

Signs Your Lawn May Be Dying (and Needs Help ASAP)

If your lawn’s patchy, uneven, or has no signs of bounce-back, it could be more than dormancy.

Watch for these red flags:

• Patchy Brown Spots: Some areas die off while others stay green.
• Loose Grass Blades: Dead grass pulls out easily with no resistance.
• Rotting or Slimy Texture: This may indicate disease or mold, not dormancy.
• No Green at the Base: Check for life near the crown—no green could mean no return.
• Lack of Response to Watering: Dormant lawns perk up with watering over 1–2 weeks. A dead lawn stays dry, brittle, and dull.

Still Not Sure? Let Sparkle Be Your Lawn Whisperer

We’ve seen it all—from drought-dormant yards to lawns riddled with fungus or pest damage. Our team at Sparkle Outdoor Services doesn’t just guess—we inspect, diagnose, and recommend exactly what your lawn needs next.

Whether that’s:

• A deep watering schedule to revive dormant turf
• Soil testing to check for nutrient deficiencies
• Lawn aeration or overseeding
• A custom lawn care plan or total turf replacement

We’ll guide you through it—step by step.

Don’t Let Your Lawn Go Without a Check-Up

Brown doesn’t mean gone forever. Before you give up on your lawn, let Sparkle Outdoor take a closer look.

Schedule a Lawn Health Assessment with Sparkle Outdoor Services today

We’ll let you know if your grass is just napping—or if it needs a little more love.