What Type Of Grass Turns Brown In Winter

Understanding which type of grass you have and its cold-weather characteristics is crucial for maintaining a healthy and attractive lawn year-round. Many homeowners are surprised when their lush green lawn turns brown in the winter, but this is a natural process for certain grass types. Knowing whether your grass is supposed to go dormant or if there's a problem allows you to adjust your lawn care practices accordingly.

Identifying Your Grass Type: Cool-Season vs. Warm-Season

The first step is determining whether you have a cool-season or warm-season grass. This distinction dictates how your lawn will react to cold temperatures. Cool-season grasses thrive in spring and fall and tolerate colder winters, while warm-season grasses flourish during the summer heat and typically go dormant (turn brown) during the winter.

Cool-Season Grasses

Common cool-season grasses include:

• Kentucky Bluegrass: Known for its rich color and fine texture. It typically greens up early in the spring and can stay green later into the fall. While it can tolerate cold temperatures, it may still experience some browning or dormancy in very harsh winters.
• Perennial Ryegrass: Establishes quickly and has a fine to medium texture. Often used for overseeding warm-season grasses in the fall to provide winter color. However, it might brown during severe cold snaps.
• Tall Fescue: A more drought-tolerant and wear-resistant option compared to other cool-season grasses. While it retains its green color better than bluegrass or ryegrass, it can still turn brown in extremely cold weather.
• Fine Fescues (Creeping Red Fescue, Chewings Fescue, Hard Fescue): Excellent shade tolerance and low maintenance. They generally maintain a decent green color throughout the winter, but can brown in very cold or exposed locations.

Warm-Season Grasses

Common warm-season grasses include:

• Bermudagrass: A very popular choice in warmer climates. It's known for its aggressive growth and excellent heat tolerance. Bermudagrass will always turn brown and go dormant during the winter.
• Zoysiagrass: Forms a dense, carpet-like turf and is more shade-tolerant than Bermudagrass. It also goes dormant in the winter, turning brown.
• St. Augustinegrass: Thrives in coastal areas and has broad leaves. It's less cold-tolerant than Bermudagrass or Zoysiagrass and will turn brown readily in cooler temperatures.
• Centipedegrass: A low-maintenance option, but it's sensitive to cold and will turn brown in the winter.

Identifying Your Grass Through Visual Inspection

While knowing your grass type beforehand is ideal, sometimes you need to identify it after it's already established. Here's how to identify your grass based on its characteristics:

• Leaf Blade Width: Cool-season grasses generally have narrower leaf blades than warm-season grasses. For example, Kentucky Bluegrass has very fine blades, while St. Augustinegrass has broad, coarse blades.
• Growth Habit: Consider how the grass spreads. Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass spread through both rhizomes (underground stems) and stolons (above-ground stems), creating a dense mat. Kentucky Bluegrass spreads primarily through rhizomes.
• Color: Observe the grass's color during its growing season. Kentucky Bluegrass is known for its deep, rich green color. St. Augustinegrass is typically a lighter green.
• Texture: Run your hand over the grass. Is it soft and fine, or coarse and rough? Kentucky Bluegrass is soft and fine, while Tall Fescue is coarser.

If you're unsure, take a sample of your grass to your local nursery or extension office. They can help you identify it and provide specific care recommendations.

What to Do When Your Grass Turns Brown

The appropriate response to a brown lawn depends on the type of grass you have.

Warm-Season Grasses (Expected Dormancy)

If you have a warm-season grass, browning in the winter is normal and expected. There's no need to panic. However, you can take steps to protect your lawn during dormancy:

• Avoid Heavy Traffic: Dormant grass is more susceptible to damage from foot traffic and heavy equipment. Minimize walking and driving on the lawn.
• Don't Fertilize: Dormant grass cannot effectively use fertilizer. Wait until spring when the grass starts to green up.
• Water Sparingly: Dormant grass needs very little water. Only water if the soil is extremely dry to prevent desiccation.
• Overseeding (Optional): If you want a green lawn during the winter, consider overseeding with Perennial Ryegrass. This will provide temporary color but will die off in the spring when your warm-season grass comes out of dormancy.
• Address Thatch: If you have excessive thatch buildup, consider dethatching in the fall before dormancy to improve air circulation and prevent disease.

Cool-Season Grasses (Possible Issues)

If you have a cool-season grass and it's turning brown, it could indicate a problem:

• Check for Disease: Brown patch, snow mold, and other fungal diseases can cause browning in cool-season grasses. Inspect your lawn for signs of disease and apply appropriate fungicides if necessary.
• Assess Soil Compaction: Compacted soil restricts root growth and can lead to browning. Aerate your lawn to improve soil drainage and aeration.
• Evaluate Drainage: Poor drainage can also contribute to browning. Ensure proper drainage by addressing any areas where water tends to pool.
• Consider Nutrient Deficiencies: A soil test can reveal nutrient deficiencies that may be causing browning. Apply appropriate fertilizers based on the soil test results.
• Winter Desiccation: In windy or exposed locations, cool-season grasses can suffer from winter desiccation (drying out). Water deeply before the ground freezes to help prevent this. Consider using anti-desiccant sprays in exposed areas.

Practical Applications

Knowing your grass type and understanding its winter behavior can be applied in various aspects of your life or work:

• Homeowners: You can accurately diagnose lawn problems, avoid unnecessary treatments, and implement the right lawn care practices. This saves time, money, and effort.
• Landscapers: Accurate grass identification allows for informed decisions about lawn care, fertilization, and disease control. This leads to healthier, more attractive lawns and satisfied clients.
• Property Managers: Understanding grass types helps in planning and budgeting for lawn maintenance. It also allows for effective communication with tenants regarding lawn care expectations during the winter months.
• Golf Course Superintendents: Knowing the specific grass types on the course allows for tailored management practices to ensure optimal turf health and playing conditions year-round.

Checklist/Guideline for Winter Lawn Care

Use this checklist to guide your winter lawn care practices:

• Identify your grass type (cool-season or warm-season).
• If warm-season, accept dormancy and minimize traffic.
• If warm-season, avoid fertilizing and water sparingly.
• If cool-season, investigate potential problems (disease, compaction, drainage, nutrients).
• If cool-season, consider winter desiccation in exposed areas and water deeply before the ground freezes.
• Consider overseeding warm-season grasses with Perennial Ryegrass for winter color (optional).
• Dethatch if necessary (in fall, before dormancy for warm-season).
• Consult with a local expert if you're unsure about any aspect of your lawn care.

By understanding the specific characteristics of your grass type, you can effectively manage your lawn and ensure it's healthy and vibrant throughout the year. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions and take proactive steps to maintain a beautiful and thriving lawn.