How Long Does It Take Dormant Grass to Turn Green?

Dormant grass won’t grow, nor will it go away. If your dormant grass takes too long to turn green, it might be too dry. You can restore a lawn’s color and growth by watering, mowing, and fertilizing the soil. However, it’s essential to know how long the process should take.

It takes dormant grass about one to two weeks to turn green. If the grass doesn’t grow after a couple of weeks, it might be dead. Water the dormant grass and overseed the lawn thoroughly. Remember to mow the grass once it gets about four inches lawn to prevent a lack of sunlight.

In this article, you’ll learn how long it’ll take for your dormant lawn to turn green, how you can expedite the process, and how long it takes dormant grass to wither away.

How Long Does It Take for Dead Grass to Turn Green?

Dead grass is very different than dormant grass. With dormant grass, it can be yellow or green, but it doesn’t grow very much (if at all). Dead grass is dry, yellow, and doesn’t have deep roots. The roots slowly deteriorate, which prevents them from growing.

It often takes up to eight weeks to make dead grass turn green. You can expedite the process by manually removing the grass, enriching the soil, and overseeding the lawn.

Another thing to keep in mind is that heavy snowfall can turn a lawn dormant. If you plant grass seed and it snows, it could cause long term issues. However, proper seeding during the winter can lead to a vibrant lawn in the spring.

If you think your lawn has insect infestations or diseases, it’s time to use a dormant oil spray to encourage healthy growth. I recommend the Bonide Dormant Spray Oil. This concentrated formula prevents invasive pests and lawn diseases while your lawn is dormant or growing out of the dormancy phase.

Those who want to bring their lawn out of being dormant for too long should consider the helpful step-by-step process in the following section. It contains everything you need to know to make your lawn look and feel ready for spring and summer.

How Do You Green Up Dormant Grass?

To green up dormant grass, follow these instructions:

1. Overseed the soil to get rid of patchy spots. Overseeding will fill the patches of bare soil. This method stops weeds from growing while encouraging new grass to grow and bring the dormant lawn back. Make sure the seeds are the same type as the rest of the yard.
2. Water the lawn to keep the dirt moist for at least a few inches below the surface. Green Gold Landscaping suggests water down to five inches under the top of the soil. Poke your finger into the dirt to see if it’s damp enough to grow grass roots.
3. Add a little bit of fertilizer. Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food restores your lawn’s roots and establishes healthy soil for optimal growth. One bag is enough to treat up to 5,000 square feet, which is more than enough for most lawns with dormant grass.
4. Remove excess weeds and other plants from the grass. Weeds consume water and nutrients intended for the dormant grass. It’s much easier to revive the dormant grass if you get rid of all of the other plants growing in the soil within the lawn.
5. Never let the lawn get longer than four inches. When grass gets too tall, it wilts and prevents the soil from getting sunlight and water. It can also stop oxygen from getting to the dirt. Without enough of these necessary ingredients, your dormant lawn might get too dry.

Greening a dormant lawn is typically the same as planting new grass seeds. As long as you provide enough sunlight, oxygen, water, and nutrients, the grass will be revitalized. Do your best to reduce the amount of foot traffic on the grass until it’s back in its original condition.

How Long Can Grass Be Dormant Before Dying?

Grass can be dormant for six weeks before dying. Most lawns go dormant when they’re too cold for too long. It’s very common for grass to go dormant during the winter as a survival mechanism. While the lawn won’t grow too much, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with it.

Here’s how you can know if your grass is dormant or dried out:

• Check the outside temperature and look for frost. According to Milorganite, most grasses go dormant when they’re colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you know what kind of grass you have, check out my helpful guide about winter grasses vs. summer grasses.
• Find out if your lawn is patchy or full. A patchy lawn typically refers to spots of dirt without grass. These patches invite weeds, pests, and rotten soil. If the lawn is patchy, it’s likely dead and needs new grass to be planted. If it’s full and dormant, you can revitalize it.
• Test the roots to know if they’re lively or rotten. Pull out a few blades of grass near the edge of the lawn. Don’t remove too many. Consider digging them out with a small hand shovel. If the roots are lively, stringy, and moist, they’re good to go and the grass is simply dormant.
• Look for weeds and other invasive plants. If there are too many weeds, your lawn will look patchy. This means it’s dead, which calls for weed removal and other tactics. You might have to till the soil to remove the seeds before planting new grass.
• Green up your lawn to see if it grows or dries out. If you add fertilizer, water, and sunlight, a dormant lawn will grow. Keep in mind that the grass needs to be warm enough to get out of dormancy. Some winter grasses can withstand longer dormant periods.

If your lawn is dry and won’t come back, you should rake the dead grass to make room for new seedlings. Dead grass and pine needles prevent oxygen, water, and sunlight from reaching the soil. Remove these obstacles, overseed the lawn, and water it thoroughly.