Lawn turning brown in winter after prolonged cold or freezing temperatures?
If you are reading this in the WINTER and your lawn is looking brown lately – don’t worry. This is completely normal for our area this time of year.
Dormant and Brown Lawns = Healthy Survival Mode
When we experience extended cold and freezing temperatures, warm-season grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine go dormant. This is your lawn’s natural way of protecting itself and conserving energy during harsh conditions.
Instead of actively growing, the grass slows down and shifts into survival mode.
What’s Actually Happening
Cold weather makes it difficult for grass to produce chlorophyll (the pigment that makes grass green). At the same time, freezing water inside the grass blades can damage plant cells. As a result, the lawn turns a golden tan or light brown color.
This doesn’t mean your lawn is dead – it means it’s resting.
Important to know:
- Brown blades will not turn green again.
- In spring, new green growth will come from the base of the plant as soil temperatures consistently rise above 55 degrees.
- Don’t overwater – dormant grass needs very little water
- Avoid heavy foot traffic on frosty lawns (it can cause damage)
- Don’t assume brown = dead – patience now means green late
