If your grass is actually dead, there's nothing you can do to bring it back other than plant new grass. Brown grass, however, can green up following proper care. Oftentimes, that just means water, nutrients, and cooler temperatures for northern lawns and warmer temperatures for southern lawns.
Dead grass isn't coming back, so you'll need to take steps to regrow your lawn. You can replace the grass by seeding or sodding -- or installing a new type of landscaping material such as mulch, rocks or groundcover. Bad news: If the grass is totally dead due to drought, there's no way to bring it back.
Use a rake to remove all the dead grass and slightly till the soil. Use a drop or rotary spreader to apply new seed. Press the seed into the ground with a lawn roller in even spaces. Fertilize the new lawn, and make sure to water it immediately and continue watering normally, about 1 inch per week.
Like many plants, grass produces a pigment called chlorophyll. This bright pigment absorbs blue and red light, reflecting green light back to your eyes.
It can return to its initial green and lush look in a few weeks, or it can take months. It's a game of patience, and the timeline depends on the grass type, damage level, weather, soil conditions, and lawn care practices. Sometimes, much of the grass is dead and homeowners must reseed the lawn.
If possible, we recommend deeply watering your yard for about two weeks to help it recover. Allow the water to soak into the soil table so it will become saturated and the roots will be able to absorb plenty of water.
One of the most effective ways to get your grass to grow quickly is to fertilize right after you plant. For use on all grass types, reach for Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass, which helps grass grow up to 70 percent thicker and 35 percent more quickly (vs. unfed).
Spot treat brown areas, areas where puddles form, slopes where runoff occurs and around landscape plants. Then spray the entire lawn area. For best results, thoroughly water after application. Revive can easily be applied with a sprinkling can, hoseend spraying device or pressure sprayer.
Salt. Salt is an easy, natural way to kill weeds, grass, or any unwanted plants. Like vinegar, salt is an indiscriminate killer, so you will need to be careful when applying it to your lawn. Grass will start dying within a week, but soil may remain unusable for months.
Best Overall Lawn Fertilizer: Milorganite Slow Release Nitrogen Lawn Fertilizer. The best fertilizer for grass, overall, is Milorganite Slow Release Nitrogen Lawn Fertilizer. This grass fertilizer is wonderful for promoting healthy grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Grass seed that's gone bad looks discolored. Look for any seeds that are splotchy, faded, or dull. Some grass seeds become darker in color if they've expired. You may even be able to see visible mold or fungus, which is a sure sign that the seed is no longer viable.
If your grass is actually dead, there's nothing you can do to bring it back other than plant new grass. Brown grass, however, can green up following proper care.
Water Wisely
Many of us water too often and too long. Most lawns need to be watered no more than three days a week in the spring as well as in the summer and two days a week in the fall. This watering schedule is recommended under normal water supply conditions.
Examining the grass plant, particularly the crown at the soil surface, can help determine if the grass is truly dead. It will be spotty and limp in some places, with dead grass blades appearing as distinct brown spots or circles.
Set up a timer on your spigot, so the sprinkler will come on for 15-20 minutes per watering session. The best time to water is early in the morning between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., when it's usually less windy and when temperatures are low. Once grass starts to grow again, it's okay to mow with your mower set to 3 ½ inches.
Sugar water helps the microorganisms in the soil break down nutrients, thus helping certain plants grow. In other words, it is okay to water plants with sugar water, but exercise caution and never rely on sugar when fertilizing your grass.
Lawns require certain key minerals to thrive. One important part of your lawn's "diet" is iron--just like the people and animals in your home. Add iron to your soil to help prevent discoloration and other unwanted symptoms that can detract from your lawn's natural beauty.
Nitrogen (N) promotes rapid growth and lush, green color. Phosphorous (P) helps develop healthy root systems. Starter lawn fertilizers have a high phosphorous count for this reason, while fertilizers for established lawns have a relatively low amount.