can you fertilize dormant grass

Can You Fertilize Dormant Grass

Can you fertilize dormant grass? It's a question many lawn enthusiasts often ask. If you're wondering if it is possible to fertilize dormant grass, you're not alone.

As per our expertise at Lawn Synergy, fertilizing a dormant lawn can be tricky but not impossible.

Knowing when and how to do it can help maintain the health and appearance of your turf even when it's not actively growing.

In this article, we'll answer this question by diving deeper into topics such as the difference between a dead lawn and a dormant lawn, why grass becomes dormant, general fertilizing tips during dormancy etc,. So, if you're ready to learn, continue reading.

What this article covers:

What Is a Dormant Lawn?

A dormant lawn is one that has temporarily stopped growing due to environmental conditions like extreme heat or cold.

During dormancy, grass conserves water and nutrients, appearing brown and lifeless, but it's not dead. This natural survival mechanism helps the grass endure adverse conditions without expending energy.

The grass roots remain alive and well, ready to spring back to life when conditions improve. Dormancy can occur during summer droughts or winter freezes, and understanding this process is crucial for proper lawn care.

By knowing how to manage a dormant lawn, you can maintain its health and ensure it recovers quickly once the stress period ends.

fertilize dormant grass

Why Does Grass Become Dormant?

Grass typically goes dormant to survive stressful conditions. For cool-season grasses, dormancy usually occurs during hot, dry summer months when temperatures exceed their optimal growth range.

These grasses will slow their growth and may turn brown to reduce water loss. Conversely, warm-season grasses might go dormant in the winter when temperatures drop below their ideal growing conditions.

By going dormant, the grass protects itself from the stress of extreme temperatures and lack of water, preserving its energy until more favorable conditions return.

This natural process is crucial for the long-term health and resilience of your lawn.

The Difference Between a Dead Lawn and a Dormant Lawn

A dead lawn is just that – dead. There's no coming back from death.

The grass will be brown, lifeless, brittle, rough, and dry to the touch. No amount of water, fertilizer, or care can revive it. A dormant lawn, however, is merely hibernating.

Understanding this difference is crucial for lawn care. Knowing whether your lawn is dead or dormant helps you decide the appropriate actions to take for recovery and maintenance.

General Fertilizing Tips During Dormancy

Fertilizing during dormancy requires careful consideration. Here's what we recommend based on our observations:

lawn fertilizer

Do Not Overfeed Turf During Dormancy

Overfeeding can lead to nutrient runoff and even burn your lawn. From our experience, it's best to wait until the grass shows signs of waking up before applying fertilizer.

When grass is dormant, its growth processes slow down significantly, meaning it cannot absorb nutrients efficiently.

Applying too much fertilizer during this period can damage the lawn and lead to waste. It's better to use a light hand and save heavier feeding for when the grass is actively growing.

Choose A High-Quality Fertilizer

Use slow-release, high-quality fertilizers. Liquid vs granular lawn fertilizer options both work, but granular is often easier to control and less likely to cause nutrient spikes.

Slow-release fertilizers provide a steady supply of nutrients over time, reducing the risk of over-fertilization and ensuring that your lawn receives consistent nourishment.

We recommend our lawn fertilizer collection, specifically the Guardian 13-0-10 Pre-emergent Lawn Fertilizer.. This award-winning product is balanced in nitrogen but slow-release and it contains pre-emergent to prevent weeds in the summer months. Its gradual release of nutrients will ensure your lawn wakes up and remains healthy. 

If your lawn is dormant and it’s time to apply pre-emergent, our Safeguard 0-0-7 Pre-emergent Fertilizer is the product you are looking for.  

Opting for high-quality products ensures that your lawn gets the best possible care, contributing to its overall health and resilience.

can i fertilize dormant grass

Do Not Mow Your Lawn Too Short Or During Hot Weather

Keep your grass a bit longer to help shade the soil and conserve moisture. It's crucial not to stress your lawn further during dormancy.

Mowing too short can expose the soil to excessive sunlight, increasing evaporation and leading to dry, stressed turf.

Additionally, mowing during hot weather can cause further damage to the already vulnerable grass.

Maintain a higher mowing height and avoid mowing during peak heat to protect your lawn during dormancy.

Curious about fertilizing during hot weather? Why not check out the article “is it ok to fertilize lawn in hot weather” for more information.

How to Wake up Your Dormant Lawn

Reviving a dormant lawn involves several steps to ensure it returns lush and green. Begin by assessing the condition of your lawn to determine the best course of action.

Proper watering, aeration, careful mowing, and overseeding or sodding are all essential practices to revive dormant grass effectively.

By following these steps, your lawn will gradually regain its vibrant appearance and health.

The Water Test

Ensure your lawn is adequately watered. Dormant grass needs less water, but regular moisture helps it recover faster.

Perform a water test by checking the soil's moisture level. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil.

This method helps maintain consistent moisture levels without overwatering, which can lead to other issues such as fungal growth.

Adequate watering is crucial for reviving a dormant lawn and preventing it from becoming dead.

garden fertilizer

Lawn Aeration

Aerate your lawn to alleviate soil compaction and improve water penetration. This is particularly useful after long periods of dormancy.

Aeration involves creating small holes in the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the grass roots more effectively.

This process helps break up compacted soil, promoting healthier root growth and enhancing the lawn's overall resilience. Regular aeration is essential for maintaining a healthy, lush lawn.

Mow Your Lawn Carefully

When the grass starts to green up, resume mowing, but be cautious not to cut it too short initially. Keeping the grass a bit longer helps shade the soil, retain moisture, and reduce stress on the lawn.

Gradually lower the mowing height over several weeks to avoid shocking the grass. This careful approach ensures that the lawn can recover from dormancy and thrive once again.

Never leave grass clumps behind.  If the lawn is growing too fast and clumps are left after mowing, remove these clumps with a rake or blow away using a blower.  Excessive clumping will cause damage to the lawn and is often a sign of applying too much nitrogen or not applying a slow-release nitrogen.  Lawn Synergy fertilizers are designed to slowly release nitrogen to prevent excessive clippings, and to produce a darker green color.

Seed or Sod Your Lawn

If some areas didn't survive dormancy, consider overseeding or laying new sod to restore your lawn's uniform appearance.

Overseeding involves spreading grass seed over existing turf to fill in bare spots and improve density.

Alternatively, laying sod provides an instant solution for severely damaged areas. Both methods help reestablish a thick, healthy lawn.

Be sure to choose the appropriate grass type for your climate and follow proper installation and care guidelines for the best results.

Remember, if you have just applied a pre-emergent fertilizer, grass seed will not grow.  It would then be best to cut out the area and install sod.

Conclusion

So, can you fertilize dormant grass? Absolutely, but the key lies in precise timing and proper methods.

Dormant grass requires careful attention to ensure it bounces back stronger. As per our expertise, it's often best to wait until the lawn begins to show signs of recovery before applying fertilizer.

If you're wondering, do I need to fertilize my lawn during dormancy? Generally, it's better to prepare and fertilize once growth resumes for optimal results.

And, is lawn fertilizer toxic? Always handle it with care and follow the manufacturer's guidelines to maintain a safe and healthy lawn. For more information, check out our articles on these two topics.

At Lawn Synergy, we specialize in helping you achieve a lush, vibrant lawn all year round.

Whether you're dealing with dormancy or simply looking to improve your lawn care routine, our expert advice and personalized tips are here for you.

Visit our website for more insights and let Lawn Synergy guide you to a perfect lawn.

If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below:

Back to Lawn Guide