How Can I Tell If My Grass Is Dead?

As a landscaping company in Rhode Island, this is one of the most common questions we get asked by our customers. The summer months in Portsmouth and surrounding areas can be surprisingly harsh on plants, trees and flowers -- but most of all grasses. There's nothing worse than slowly watching your grass go from lush and green in the spring to brown and brittle in the summer.Before you opt for new lawn installation services, you may be pleasantly surprised to hear that your lawn might not actually be dead! Here's how you can determine whether your grass is dead or not.Dead Grass. Unfortunately dead grass is hard to detect in places like Rhode Island, because oftentimes grasses become dormant during the winter due to the cold weather and again become dormant in the summer due to hot temperatures. Keep in mind that most species of grasses are very hardy and don't go down without a fight, so chances are it's just dormant. Try continuing to water your lawn and eventually the dead patches will reveal themselves when the rest of your lawn is green. These are the areas to reseed and pay extra attention to.Dormant Grass. Grass goes into a dormant stage when it does not have enough water to continue it's active growth. The goal is to protect their roots, so all available water from the blade travels down to be stored in the roots for long periods of time. Grass found in the Northeast region of the US has deep roots in order to capture water further down in the soil. Although your grass may be brown in color and appear dead, it's important to continue watering it. The green color will return again in the following season (if it is in fact in a dormant stage). At Premier Landscape, we recommend not mowing your lawn when your grass is in a dormant stage, as this can damage the fragile crowns from which the blade grows.Do you suspect your lawn is dead? Our professional landscaping company will come out to inspect your lawn and determine whether or not you need a new lawn. Premier Landscape provides both hydroseeding and sod installation for homeowners who opt for a new lawn installation. Fill out our quick form to request service!