Lawn Care for Dead Grass

Cultural Causes

• Grass can die out when it has been under-fertilized, over-fertilized, watered too often, given too little water, mowed too low or has a thatch layer that is too thick. Thatch is the layer of living and dead organic material that is between the grass and soil. A layer that is more than 1/2 an inch can prevent proper grass root establishment. Gardeners should apply nutrients at least once a year to the soil to ensure that enough nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are available to grow healthy grass. Furthermore, every grass type has its own water requirements that should be met, especially during times of drought.

Grass Selection

• Make sure that you are growing the right grass type for your yard before renovating the lawn with new grass. There are two main grass types: cool and warm season grass. Cool season grass is typically grown in the northern United States, while warm season grass is typically sown in the southern regions. Monitor the amount of sun your yard receives. Grasses like St. Augustine or bentgrass do well in the shade. Both Kentucky bluegrass and bahia grass will die out if planted in shady yards.

Renovating the Lawn

• Remove dead grass before you plant new turf. According to the University of Colorado, cool season lawns should be planted between March and September, whereas warm season grass can be planted between April and July. Mow your dead grass down to 1/2 an inch and rake up the dead grass or till into the yard. If thatch is exposed, rent a dethatcher from your local hardware store and remove the layer of thatch. For grass seed to germinate, it needs to be on bare soil.

Seeding

• Sow your grass seed as soon as your remove the dead grass to prevent weeds from popping up all over the yard. Pick a day that is not too hot to reduce the risk of the grass seed drying out. Distribute seeds based on the distribution rate specified on the mix. For example, 1 lb. of bermudagrass seed should be spread per 1,000 square feet of lawn area. Water the area thoroughly immediately after seeding to promote grass seed germination.