With winter almost officially upon Georgia, you may notice that your lush green lawn is fading into a more brownish hue, which can, naturally, spark some concern. Is my grass dead? Will it recover? What steps should I take? Ultimately, understanding turf dormancy is essential for keeping your lawn healthy year-round, and is the answer to many of the seasonal concerns we hear. Let’s debunk some common myths and uncover the facts about turf dormancy in Georgia, including how to manage common winter weeds like Poa annua and henbit.
Myth: Dormant Turf Is Dead Turf
One of the most common misconceptions about “brown” grass is that your lawn has “died”. This couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, dormant turf is alive and well, just temporarily in a resting period.
Ultimately, dormancy is a natural defense mechanism for the warm-season grasses we see across Georgia (like Bermuda and Zoysia). This not only allows grasses to conserve water and energy but ensures the root systems remain strong and healthy, allowing grass to revive successfully when the warmer weather hits.
Myth: Lawn Care Stops During Dormancy
Another myth is that you can stop caring for your lawn once it goes dormant. Yet, proper lawn care during dormancy is critical to ensure a vibrant, healthy lawn in the Spring.
During the colder months, think of your lawn care service as a down payment for the warmer months. Furthermore, despite your yard not actively growing, weeds like Poa annua and henbit can thrive, stealing those precious nutrients from your dormant grass. Applying pre-emergent herbicides in late fall and post-emergents during winter helps control these invasive weeds before they spread. Additionally, fertilization and conditioning targeted toward the soil ensure a great foundation to build next season’s growth on
Fact: Soil Health Matters Year-Round
As mentioned above, the health of your soil is crucial to the success of your lawn. As we like to say: healthy turf begins with healthy soil.
So, during dormancy, at Nature’s Turf, we shift our lawn care and treatment services a bit to focus on soil care. Limestone applications that correct small pH variances expected with lawncare keep your soil in a range where key nutrients are plant-available. Winter is also a great time to make sure that nutrients requiring seasonal applications are made so they are available for the lawn as it wakes up in the Spring.
Fact: Preparation Pays Off
The effort you put into lawn care during dormancy directly impacts how your turf performs the rest of the year. Ignoring dormant lawns can lead to nutrient deficiencies, and a weed infestation that hinders your lawn’s recovery, requiring more work to return to that beautiful green you once had. By maintaining a consistent lawn care and soil treatment routine through the Winter in Georgia, you can set the stage for a lush, green lawn that will be the envy of every neighbor you have.
Nature’s Turf – Your Key to a Healthier Yard in Georgia
Managing a beautiful yard in Georgia can seem daunting, especially when it comes to specific strategies and custom treatment plans. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it alone. At Nature’s Turf, we specialize in comprehensive lawn treatment plants tailored to your unique yard in Georgia.
In order to maintain a beautiful lawn, our Certified Professionals have created custom treatment plans that will exceed your expectations. Don’t let dormancy fool you—your lawn still needs care! Contact the team at Nature’s Turf today.
