LAWN CARE GUIDE • SUMMER DORMANCY
Brown Lawn in Summer: Dormant or Dead?
A Bismarck lawn that turns straw-brown in July or August is usually dormant, not dead. Kentucky bluegrass shuts down in heat and drought to protect itself, and it greens back up when cooler, wetter weather returns. Iowa State Extension says bluegrass can stay dormant for 4 to 6 weeks “without suffering significant damage.”
You can check in under a minute. Pull back the brown blades and look at the base of the plant. White or light tissue at the crown means it’s alive. If a clump pulls out easily with no roots, something else is going on.
KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS • SUMMER HEAT
Why Bismarck Lawns Turn Brown in Summer
Bismarck lawns are cool-season grasses, usually Kentucky bluegrass blends with fine fescue and some perennial ryegrass, the mix NDSU recommends. They grow best in spring and fall and slow down in summer heat.
- Bluegrass browns fast without water. The University of Minnesota Extension says Kentucky bluegrass “can start turning brown after about 7 days without water.”
- Clay soil and slopes shed water before it soaks in, so slopes and high spots brown first.
- Hot spots along driveways, sidewalks and south-facing walls often dry out ahead of the rest of the lawn.
- Tall and fine fescues hold color longer. UMN says they “can remain green for at least 28 days without water in Minnesota.”
Browning is the grass protecting its crown, the growing point at the base of the plant. As long as the crown stays alive, the lawn comes back.
THREE PRACTICAL CHECKS • LESS THAN A MINUTE TO START
Three Quick Tests: Dormant or Dead?
| Test | How to do it | Dormant | Dead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown check | Peel back the brown leaves at the base of a few plants | White or light tissue at the crown | Brown, dry and brittle all the way down |
| Tug test | Grab a small handful of grass and pull gently | Roots hold firm | Comes out with little or no effort |
| Water test | Soak a small patch, about 3 by 3 feet, then soak it again a week later | Starts to green up | Stays brown |
The first two tests come from University of Wisconsin turfgrass specialist Doug Soldat, who says to look for “any semblance of white tissue around the crown” and that “it is a good sign if the roots are firmly attached to the crown and difficult to detach by pulling.” He also notes that “even completely brown plants can still be alive.”
Be patient with the water test. Iowa State says a dormant lawn should start greening after a second watering about a week after the first, and Wisconsin says it can take “at least two weeks after the soil is completely wetted up.”
LOOK BEYOND HEAT • OTHER LAWN PROBLEMS
Things That Look Like Dormancy but Aren't
| What you see | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Brown patches that pull up with no roots, and animals digging | White grubs | Dig under the edge of a brown patch and look for white grubs in the soil |
| Round brown spots with a dark green ring | Dog urine | Water spots heavily right after the dog goes |
| Brown or grayish cast right after mowing | Dull mower blade | Look for shredded, torn tips |
| Brown strips or arcs in a lawn with sprinklers | Sprinkler coverage gaps | Run a tuna can test in each zone |
| Yellow, not brown, while the lawn is still growing | Iron shortage from alkaline soil | See our yellow lawn guide |
About grubs. An NDSU Extension horticulture assistant in Ward County writes that where white grubs feed, “the grass will turn brown and die,” and the grass “will come out with little or no effort due to the lack of roots.” Skunks, raccoons and squirrels digging in those spots is another sign. NDSU says grub insecticides work best applied in May and June, before heavy feeding.
About sprinklers. If part of a watered lawn still browns, check coverage with our irrigation service.
YOUR SUMMER PLAN • WATER WITH PURPOSE
Let It Go Dormant or Keep It Green? Pick One
Both are fine. What hurts is switching back and forth. Iowa State says, “It is not advisable to allow the lawn to go in and out of dormancy through the summer months.”
If you keep it green: water about 1 inch a week, counting rain, which is what NDSU recommends. On clay, split each run into two shorter cycles so it soaks in. That’s about 623 gallons per 1,000 square feet each week, which is why Bismarck water bills jump in summer.
If you let it go dormant: water just enough to keep the crowns alive.
| Approach | How much water |
|---|---|
| Light and steady | About 1/4 inch a week, or about 1/2 inch every other week (Wisconsin) |
| Deep and occasional | After 4 to 6 weeks of dormancy, 1 to 1 1/2 inches in one soaking, repeated about every 4 weeks if it stays dry (Iowa State) |
Either one keeps the crowns hydrated without bringing the whole lawn back to green.
SUMMER PRACTICAL CARE • LESS STRESS
How to Care for a Dormant Lawn
- Raise the mower to about 3 to 3 1/2 inches, and only mow when the grass is actually growing.
- Stay off it. Wisconsin notes grass with foot or vehicle traffic is “much less tolerant of dry conditions.” Skip parking, parties and heavy play on dormant areas.
- Hold the fertilizer. UMN says fertilizer applied during drought isn’t taken up by dormant grass. In Bismarck, the next feeding is around Labor Day.
- Skip weed spraying. Iowa State says broadleaf weed killers are “likely to be ineffective” on weeds that aren’t actively growing. Spray in fall instead.
See lawn fertilization and weed control for fall timing.
RESEED • RESOD • CONSIDER DROUGHT-SMART OPTIONS
If Some of It Really Is Dead
Iowa State says areas “killed by dry conditions need to be reseeded.” In Bismarck:
- Best window: NDSU says to seed from late August through September 15, when you can also core aerate. See aeration and overseeding in Bismarck.
- Better seed for next time: UMN suggests mixing in tall and fine fescues for better color during dry spells.
- Missed the window? Dormant seed in late fall, once the soil is below 40°F but before it freezes, or seed in spring.
- Need it fast? Large dead areas can be re-sodded. See sod installation in Bismarck.
Questions
Brown Lawn FAQ
Clear answers to common questions about summer dormancy, watering, and getting a brown lawn green again.
Still unsure what caused it?
Start with the three lawn checks, read the common lookalikes, or see repair options.
Is my brown lawn dead or dormant?
In a Bismarck summer, it’s usually dormant. Pull back the brown blades and check the crown at the base of the plant. White or light tissue means it’s alive. If a handful of grass pulls out easily with no roots, it may be dead or damaged by grubs.
How long can grass stay dormant?
Iowa State Extension says Kentucky bluegrass can stay dormant for 4 to 6 weeks without significant damage, and a University of Wisconsin specialist says it can survive up to and even beyond 60 days without water. Give it a deep soaking after about a month of dry weather to be safe.
How much water does a dormant lawn need?
About 1/4 inch a week, or about 1/2 inch every other week, according to the University of Wisconsin. Iowa State suggests 1 to 1 1/2 inches in one soaking after 4 to 6 weeks of dormancy, repeated about every 4 weeks if it stays dry.
Should I mow a dormant lawn?
Only when it’s actually growing. A dormant lawn barely grows, and mowing adds stress and traffic. Raise the mower to about 3 to 3 1/2 inches, and stay off the lawn as much as you can until it greens up.
Should I fertilize a brown lawn in summer?
No. The University of Minnesota says dormant grass doesn’t take up fertilizer during drought. In Bismarck, make the next feeding around Labor Day, when the grass is growing again and NDSU says fall feeding does the most good.
How long does a dormant lawn take to green up?
Usually one to two weeks after it gets real water. Iowa State says it should start greening after a second watering about a week after the first, and the University of Wisconsin says it can take at least two weeks after the soil is completely wetted.
Bismarck Landscape
Not Sure What You’re Looking At?
If your lawn is brown and the tests don’t give a clear answer, or you think it might be grubs or a sprinkler problem, contact Bismarck Landscape. We’ll look at it and tell you whether to wait, water, treat or reseed.
You can also see our lawn care in Bismarck, our lawn care FAQ or our other contact options.