As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, you might notice your once-vibrant green lawn starting to look a little tired and brown. Don’t worry, this is a completely natural process! Your lawn isn’t dying; it’s just entering a state of dormancy, much like a bear hibernating for the winter. This is the grass’s way of conserving energy and protecting itself from the harsh conditions of the cold months ahead.
Here’s what’s really happening beneath the surface when your lawn turns brown in the winter AKA winter lawn dormancy.
What is lawn dormancy?
Think of dormancy as your lawn taking a long winter nap. When the soil temperature consistently drops, your grass understands it’s time to conserve resources. Instead of putting energy into growing lush, green blades, it shifts its focus to survival. The plant redirects nutrients and energy to its root system, strengthening it to withstand the cold.
This is why the top growth slows down and eventually stops, causing the grass to lose its green color and turn brown. While it may look lifeless, the crown and roots of the grass are still very much alive, just resting and waiting for the warmth of spring to signal that it’s time to wake up and start growing again. This resilience is one of the most remarkable traits of turf grass, allowing it to endure extreme winter temperatures and bounce back beautifully season after season.
why lawns turn brown in the winter
Several factors contribute to that faded color of your lawn in the winter:
- Cold Temperatures: Freezing weather halts the production of chlorophyll (the pigment that makes grass green). Without it, the blades lose their color
- Reduced Sunlight: Shorter days means less photosynthesis, so the grass conserves energy by going dormant
- Frost and Snow Cover: Frost can temporarily dry out grass blades and heavy snow can compact them–both which can cause discoloration
- Natural Growth Cycle: Cool-season grasses are most active in spring and fall. Once winter arrives, growth slows dramatically until conditions imrove
is my lawn dead or just dormant?
It’s easy to mistake dormancy for a dead lawn, but there are ways to tell the difference.
dormant grass
- Turns uniformly tan or brown
- Feels firm at the soil line
- Revives when temperatures warm and moisture returns
dead grass
- Pulls up easily from the soil
- Appears patchy or streaked with no regrowth in spring.
- May be caused by disease, insects, or neglect.
If you’re unsure, Custom Lawns can assess your lawn in early spring and recommend whether reseeding or treatment is needed.
how to prepare for a healthy winter reset
The care you provide in the fall is crucial for helping your lawn survive dormancy and emerge healthy in the spring. A key step is fall fertilization. Applying fertilizer in the autumn doesn’t encourage top growth; instead, the nutrients are used to build up energy reserves and strengthen the root system for the winter ahead. This preparation makes your turf more resistant to winter-related diseases and stress.
Another vital task is leaf removal. While a few scattered leaves won’t cause harm, a thick blanket of them can smother the grass, blocking essential sunlight and trapping moisture that can lead to fungal diseases. A thorough fall cleanup ensures your lawn can breathe and isn’t susceptible to damage while it’s in its vulnerable dormant state. When spring arrives, any damage from the cold can be addressed by clearing away debris and applying a balanced fertilizer to encourage new growth.
what to expect in spring
As soil temperatures warm in early spring, grass will likely way up from dormancy and begin producing chlorophyll again–turning lush and green within a few weeks.
To jumpstart recovery, Custom Lawns recommends:
- A spring fertilizer application to replenish nutrients
- A pre-emergent weed control treatment to stop crabgrass before it germinates
- Aeration and overseeding (if needed) to repair any winter-damaged areas
We suggest enrolling in our 5-step fertilization program which includes fertilization and weed control starting in the Spring.
trust custom lawns for year-round health
Even though your lawn rests in winter, Custom Lawns works year-round to protect it. From seasonal fertilization and weed prevention to expert diagnosis and recovery care, our team ensures your turf comes back stronger every spring.
Don’t worry about the brown — it’s just nature’s way of pressing pause. With the right care, your lawn will return greener than ever.
