My lawn looks great in May and dead by August, and for years I blamed myself. The truth is, most grass is not dying in late summer, it is just going dormant to survive the heat. Here is how to tell the difference and what to actually do.

Brown does not always mean dead

Cool-season grasses shut down when the soil gets hot. They turn brown to save energy, then green back up when temperatures drop in the fall. Ripping them out or dumping fertilizer on them is the worst thing you can do.

How to tell dormant from dead

1. Grab a handful of brown grass and tug gently.
2. If it holds firm, it is dormant and will recover.
3. If it pulls out easily with no resistance, it is dead.

Dormant grass still has a living crown at the base. Leave it alone and it bounces back.

What to do in August

Water deeply once a week instead of lightly every day, if you water at all. Deep watering encourages deep roots. And raise your mower blade so you leave the grass a little taller, which shades the soil.

My neighbor scalps his lawn to “keep it tidy” and his yard is always the brownest on the street. I leave mine longer and it holds its color weeks longer.