This article was inspired by “Hot Topic (Literally): All About Turf Dormancy” by Jason Lanier, Turf Specialist and Commercial Horticulture Group Leader, UMass Extension, published in Hort Notes 2026 Vol. 37:4. PJC Organic appreciates UMass Extension’s ongoing efforts to provide research-based education for landscape and turf professionals.

Turf Dormancy Explained

When summer temperatures soar and rainfall becomes scarce, many lawns and athletic fields begin to lose their vibrant green color. For property managers, landscapers, and homeowners, this often sparks concern that the turf is dying.

In many cases, however, what you’re seeing is not turf death—it’s turf dormancy.

Dormancy is a natural survival mechanism that allows turfgrass to conserve energy during periods of environmental stress. Understanding how and why dormancy occurs can help landscape professionals make better management decisions while avoiding unnecessary inputs and interventions.

What Is Turf Dormancy?  

Turf dormancy is a temporary state in which grass slows or stops active growth in response to stressful conditions such as prolonged heat, drought, or extreme cold. During dormancy, the grass plant redirects its energy away from producing new leaf growth and focuses on preserving its crown and root system until favorable conditions return.

The result is a lawn that turns tan, straw-colored, or brown. While it may appear unhealthy, dormant turf is often very much alive beneath the surface.

Think of dormancy as a protective strategy rather than a sign of failure.

Why Does Summer Dormancy Occur?  

In the Northeast, cool-season turfgrasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and fine fescues perform best during the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. When extended periods of heat and drought arrive, these grasses experience significant stress.

Without adequate moisture, continuing active growth would require more energy and water than the plant can sustain. Dormancy helps the grass conserve resources until temperatures moderate and rainfall returns. Turfgrass experts note that dormant turf can often survive several weeks of drought conditions if the crown and root system remain healthy.

Dormant or Dead? How to Tell the Difference  

One of the most common questions landscape professionals hear during dry summers is: “Is my lawn dead?” The answer often requires a closer look.

Dormant turf generally:

• Has a uniform tan or brown appearance
• Remains firmly rooted in the soil
• Shows healthy crowns at the base of the plant
• Begins recovering when rainfall and cooler temperatures return

Dead turf typically:

• Pulls easily from the soil
• Has brittle crowns and roots
• Appears patchy or uneven
• Does not recover after irrigation or rainfall

Before deciding on renovation or reseeding, allow time for cooler weather and moisture to stimulate recovery.

The Soil Health Connection  

At PJC Organic, we encourage looking below the grass blades and focusing on what is happening in the soil.

Healthy soils with strong biological activity, adequate organic matter, and improved water-holding capacity help turf withstand environmental stress more effectively. Deep, resilient root systems are often the difference between turf that survives a drought and turf that suffers long-term damage.

Organic soil management practices can help:

• Improve moisture retention
• Reduce compaction
• Increase root development
• Support beneficial soil microorganisms
• Enhance overall turf resilience

While no lawn is immune to extreme weather, healthy soils can significantly improve a turf stand’s ability to endure periods of dormancy and recover when conditions improve.

Should You Water Dormant Turf?  

The answer depends on your goals and available resources.

If maintaining green color is essential for athletic fields, high-profile landscapes, or heavily used properties, supplemental irrigation may be necessary during dry periods.

For many lawns, however, allowing turf to enter dormancy can be a practical and environmentally responsible approach. Dormant grass requires far less water than actively growing turf.

If you choose to let turf go dormant, occasional irrigation may still be beneficial during extended drought periods to help protect crowns and roots from permanent injury.

Anecdotally, choosing to water a lawn that does not have a thick stand of turf through the summer, will likely result in more crabgrass appearing on your lawn. This is seen especially in cases where one chooses to water lightly and frequently.

Management Tips During Dormancy  

When turf enters dormancy, management practices should focus on minimizing additional stress.

Reduce Traffic  — Dormant turf is more vulnerable to wear and compaction. Limiting foot traffic, vehicle use, and heavy equipment can help prevent damage.

Avoid Excessive Fertilization  — Applying large amounts of nitrogen during periods of heat and drought may increase stress rather than improve turf health. Focus on building soil health and follow seasonally appropriate fertility programs.

Maintain Proper Mowing Height  — Avoid scalping drought-stressed turf. Taller grass blades provide additional shade for the soil surface and help reduce moisture loss.

Monitor for Recovery  — As temperatures cool and rainfall returns, healthy dormant turf should gradually regain color and resume growth.

A Different Way to View Brown Turf  

For decades, many people have associated healthy turf with a perfectly green lawn at all times. Increasingly, landscape professionals recognize that temporary dormancy is often a natural and acceptable response to challenging environmental conditions.

Rather than fighting nature, an organic management approach focuses on creating resilient soils and healthy root systems that help turf recover naturally.

Brown grass in midsummer isn’t always a sign of trouble. In many cases, it’s simply the turf doing exactly what it was designed to do.