- Step 1: Determine if your lawn is dormant or dead<\/a><\/li>
- Step 2: Test the soil<\/a><\/li>
- Step 3: Remove weeds<\/a><\/li>
- Step 4: Dethatch your lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Step 5: Aerate your lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Step 6: Overseed or lay sod<\/a><\/li>
- Step 7: Water well<\/a><\/li>
- Step 8: Fertilize the new grass<\/a><\/li>
- FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Step 1: Determine if your lawn is dormant or dead<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Lawn](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_541906286-1.jpeg\")
daily_creativity<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Let\u2019s get one thing out of the way right now: dead grass <\/strong>cannot <\/em><\/strong>be brought back to life. <\/strong>If it\u2019s dormant, however, there\u2019s still hope. So, it\u2019s crucial to first determine whether your lawn is dead or just dormant<\/a>.<\/p>
First, take a look at your lawn. Is the whole lawn brown, or is it just spots in your lawn? If there are patches of brown grass in an otherwise green lawn, the spots are probably dead or dying.<\/strong><\/p>
Now, let\u2019s look at your climate:<\/p>
- Do you live somewhere with a warm climate?<\/strong> Is it winter? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you probably have warm-season grass<\/a> that has gone dormant.<\/li>
- Do you live in an area with a cold climate? <\/strong>Is it summer? If the answer to both questions is yes, then you might have cool-season grass<\/a> that has gone dormant.<\/li> <\/ul>
Next, you can do a simple test to determine if the grass is actually dead:<\/p>
- Grab a handful of grass.<\/li>
- Try to pull the grass out of the ground.
- If the grass comes off easily, <\/strong>then it\u2019s likely dead.<\/li>
- If there is resistance, <\/strong>then the grass is likely just dormant.<\/li> <\/ol> <\/li>
- Take a look at the base of the grass blade. If the base of the grass blade (called a crown) is still green and its roots are white, then it\u2019s just dormant. <\/strong><\/li> <\/ol>
So, what do you do if your grass is dormant? <\/strong>Luckily for you, it\u2019s quite simple. Dormant grass can be brought back to life with ample water or more favorable weather conditions.<\/p>
If water is not bringing your grass back to life, then the temperature is likely the culprit. <\/p>
\u201cRecognize that when heat and drought reach a certain level, there is no amount of water that is going to coax the grass out of dormancy,\u201d says Dr. Kelly Kopp of Utah State University<\/a>. \u201cHowever, as temperatures drop and moisture increases, the grass will recover naturally.\u201d<\/p>
If your grass is truly dead, the first step to reviving your dead lawn is addressing the cause.<\/strong> Dead grass can be caused by:<\/p>
- Lawn pests such as white grubs<\/a><\/li>
- Fungal disease<\/a><\/li>
- Dog pee<\/a><\/li>
- Nutrient imbalances<\/li>
- Soil pH issues<\/li>
- Drought stress<\/a><\/li>
- Soil compaction<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 2: Test the soil<\/span><\/h2>
![\"soil](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/48616944803_e541a104d7_o-1.jpg\")
Backyard Boss<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> After addressing the cause of your lawn\u2019s death, you should conduct a soil test<\/a>. A soil test report<\/a> will rule out nutrient deficiencies and soil pH issues (such as acidic soil<\/a>).<\/p>
Nutrient deficiencies can be remedied with fertilizer, while soil pH can be changed<\/a> with soil amendments<\/a>.<\/p>
A soil test will also tell you more information about your soil, such as its type and salinity level. The type of soil<\/a> you have can also hinder the growth of new grass, so it\u2019s important to amend it to change its texture if needed.<\/p>
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>
- “How to Tell Your Lawn Needs Lime”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Apply Lime to Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 3: Remove weeds<\/span><\/h2>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/AdobeStock_519605267-1.jpeg\")
Nicolae<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> It\u2019s important to remove weeds<\/a> while preparing to revive your lawn because they compete for nutrients, water, and even sunlight. While strong grass can outcompete pesky weeds<\/a>, the grass seedlings or sod you\u2019ll be adding to your dead lawn can\u2019t.<\/p>
You can remove weeds through mechanical and chemical methods. If you only have a few weeds, you can hand-pull them<\/a>. If the weeds have infested your lawn, we recommend using a post-emergent herbicide<\/a>.<\/p>
Note: <\/strong>You will need to wait in between herbicide use and overseeding, as the weed killer can damage seedlings or prevent them from germinating. The exact time will depend on the type of herbicide, but some may need up to a four-month wait before overseeding.<\/p>
I don\u2019t recommend using a pre-emergent herbicide<\/a> before repairing your lawn unless it\u2019s mesotrione (like Tenacity), which is safe for turfgrass.<\/p>
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>
- “Types of Post-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 4: Dethatch your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Excess thatch can kill grass and make it difficult for new grass to grow. Thatch is the layer of dead and living organic matter wedged between the grass and the soil. A thatch layer<\/a> less than \u00bd-inch thick won\u2019t cause issues, but anything thicker than that can prevent precious nutrients and water from reaching the grass seed and sod roots.<\/p>
To prepare your lawn for new grass, you should dethatch it. Dethatching your lawn<\/a> removes excess thatch using a dethatcher, such as a power rake.<\/p>
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>
- “How to Dethatch Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Dethatch Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “Benefits of Dethatching Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “How Much Does Lawn Dethatching Cost in 2025?”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 5: Aerate your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Another issue that could have killed your lawn and will prevent new grass from growing is compacted soil. Compacted soil<\/a> is packed tightly together, preventing nutrients, water, and air from penetrating deep and reaching the roots of plants. Compacted soil is also difficult for young roots to push through.<\/p>
Alleviating compacted soil involves poking holes in the soil. This process is called lawn aeration.<\/p>
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>
- “How to Aerate a Lawn by Hand”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Aerate Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “Benefits of Aerating Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “Core Aeration vs. Spike Aeration”<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Aerate Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 6: Overseed or lay sod<\/span><\/h2>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_overseeding_map.png\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Before overseeding or laying down sod, make sure you pick the right grass for where you live. Consider your climate, the type of soil, salinity, and similar environmental factors. The most basic thing to think about is whether your area can support cool-season<\/a> or warm-season grass<\/a>.<\/p>
Cool-season grasses include:<\/p>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Tall fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Fine fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Bentgrasses<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Warm-season grasses include:<\/p>
- St. Augustinegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Bahiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Zoysiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Buffalograss<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Then, you can choose to either overseed your lawn<\/a> or lay down sod<\/a>. Both have their pros and cons, with the main argument for grass seed vs. sod<\/a> being savings vs. time.<\/p>
You can read more about overseeding in these articles:<\/p>
- “What is Overseeding?”<\/a><\/li>
- “10 Benefits of Overseeding”<\/a><\/li>
- “Should You Overseed Your Lawn?”<\/a><\/li>
- “How Often Should You Overseed Your Lawn?”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 7: Water well<\/span><\/h2>
One of the most important factors for the survival of your new grass is water. The enemy of germination is drying out; drying out means<\/em> dying out<\/em>. Your new grass or sod won\u2019t have the strong root systems of established lawns, so they can\u2019t reach the water deeper in the soil.<\/p>
New grass will need short but frequent watering sessions. Too much water can wash away the grass seeds. New grass may need to be watered as frequently as three times a day in the first few weeks.<\/p>
Read more: <\/strong><\/p>
- “How Long to Water New Grass Seed”<\/a><\/li>
- “How Often to Water Grass Seed”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Step 8: Fertilize the new grass<\/span><\/h2>
![\"new](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_8986743787_22815aedb1_c.jpg\")
Timo Newton-Syms<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> If you didn\u2019t apply starter fertilizer<\/a> before overseeding or laying down sod, you should fertilize the new grass six to eight weeks after planting. <\/p>
The Iowa State University Extension<\/a> recommends applying 1 pound of nitrogen \u2013 not just fertilizer \u2013 per 1,000 square feet of lawn. You can learn how to calculate how much actual fertilizer you need in our article, “Fertilizer 101: How to Fertilize Your Lawn”<\/a>.<\/p>
Read more:<\/strong><\/p>
- “A Complete Guide to Fertilizing New Grass”<\/a><\/li>
- “When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn?”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Avoid Over-Fertilizing Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
FAQs<\/span><\/h2>
Does grass grow back naturally?<\/strong>As long as it is not truly dead, grass can grow back naturally. It may take a few weeks before it becomes thick again, though. You may want to overseed your lawn to help it thicken up.<\/p> <\/div>
How do you care for the new grass?<\/strong>To care for new grass<\/a>, you need to do the following:
What is the fastest way to fix dead grass?<\/strong>Installing sod would be the fastest way to fix dead grass. Sod gives you an \u201cinstant\u201d lawn, although you can\u2019t really walk on it immediately.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Hire a pro to revive your lawn<\/span><\/h2>
Bringing a completely dead lawn back to life can be a daunting task. You\u2019ll need to remove the dead grass and then prep your lawn for overseeding or laying sod. <\/p>
If that\u2019s too much for you, why not hire a lawn care pro<\/a> to do it instead? Aside from mowing, Lawn Love\u2019s pros can aerate your lawn<\/a>, and do the actual overseeding for you<\/a>. They can also get rid of pests<\/a>, handle weeds<\/a>, and fertilize your lawn<\/a> for you.<\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources<\/strong>:<\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t- Utah State University<\/a><\/li>
- Iowa State University Extension<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
Main Photo Credit: Lindsey Turner<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You can\u2019t bring grass back to life if it\u2019s truly dead. However, you can revive your dead lawn by overseeding or laying down sod.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":4677,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[147],"class_list":["post-4675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_3268163601_d76a9c1005_h.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Janine Caayao","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/janine-caayao\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4675"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45451,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4675\/revisions\/45451"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Iowa State University Extension<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
- “When is the Best Time to Fertilize Your Lawn?”<\/a><\/li>
- “How Often to Water Grass Seed”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- “10 Benefits of Overseeding”<\/a><\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Tall fescue<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Aerate Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Dethatch Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- “How to Apply Lime to Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- Fungal disease<\/a><\/li>
- If there is resistance, <\/strong>then the grass is likely just dormant.<\/li> <\/ol> <\/li>
- If the grass comes off easily, <\/strong>then it\u2019s likely dead.<\/li>
- Do you live in an area with a cold climate? <\/strong>Is it summer? If the answer to both questions is yes, then you might have cool-season grass<\/a> that has gone dormant.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Step 2: Test the soil<\/a><\/li>