April 25th

By Mutt Mulligan

Why it’s ok to let your grass go dormant

Did you know that your grass doesn’t have to be green all the time to remain healthy? It’s alright to let your grass turn brown during periods of drought and high temperatures. It can be an effective strategy for saving water in drought-prone areas or during the hottest months of the summer.

Once established, many of today’s turfgrass varieties can handle periods of drought and heat. When grass goes dormant, the leaves turn brown as the plant focuses its resources on its roots. But the grass plant will survive.

Letting drought-tolerant grass species “sleep” is part of the natural plant cycle. The good news is most grasses are hardy and will green up again when cooler, wetter conditions return.

Remember what TurfMutt’s buddy Green Ranger teaches us. Grass – even in its dormant state – is important to the environment. It traps carbon dioxide, reduces storm water runoff and shares oxygen. At the same time, grass uses its roots to prevent soil erosion. It also help create larger green spaces in our backyards, public parks and more.

Learn more about the superhero powers of grass and other living landscapes.