How to Bring Back Dead Grass

Maintaining healthy, green grass takes work, but a gorgeous lawn is worth the effort. If your lawn is plagued by thin, brown, or dead grass, there are a few ways to breathe new life into it. For smaller thin, brown spots, check for grubs and, if necessary, apply insecticide. If grubs aren’t the issue, dog urine or fungus might be the problem. For larger patches, aerating compacted soil and managing drought conditions could do the trick. If more than half of your lawn is dead, start from scratch and re-seed or re-sod the entire area in the early spring.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Restoring Small Dead Patches

1
Check for grubs and, if necessary, apply insecticide. If smaller patches of your lawn are affected, use a trowel to dig up grass and soil at the patch’s perimeter. Lift up 2 inches (5.1 cm) of soil, and look for white, C-shaped grubs. If you see more than 5 grubs in a 1 square foot (0.093 m²) area, apply an insecticide labelled for grubs.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceMichigan State University ExtensionExtension program of Michigan State University focused on community outreach, education, and engagementGo to source}
- Read your product’s instructions, and don’t apply more than the amount specified for your affected areas. Water well after applying insecticide.
2
Clip dead patches and decrease watering for fungal infections. If you have circular patches of thin, brown grass and don’t spot grubs beneath the surface, the issue is likely an infection. Clipping the affected area down to the soil will help prevent it from spreading. Water it less and only in the morning, since moisture that lingers overnight can encourage fungal growth.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Collect clippings when you mow if you’re dealing with a fungal infection.
- If the problem persists, apply a liquid fungicide. Read your product’s instructions and apply the specified amount to affected areas. Depending on the product you use, you might need to use it again 2 to 4 weeks after the first application.
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3
Water and reseed dog urine spots. If you have a dog or notice a neighborhood dog urinates on your lawn, small brown patches are probably due to urine salts. Water these patches well to dilute salts from urine. Clear dead grass and lay seed or a small patch of sod.
- Discourage your dog from going potty on your lawn. If a neighbor’s dog is the issue, politely ask them to keep their dog from urinating on your lawn.
4
Decrease watering, dethatch, and leave clippings if you’re in a drought. It might seem counterintuitive, but watering your grass as little as possible will help it tolerate a drought. If you don’t have water restrictions and are allowed to water your lawn, do so every 4 weeks at most. Hand or power rake to remove thatch, which is a layer of dead and decomposing grass that can block moisture.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Mow regularly to keep grass blades between 2.5 and 3.5 inches (6.4 and 8.9 cm) tall. Sharpen your mower blades, as dull blades can leave jagged grass that’s prone to browning.
- Don’t collect clippings when you mow, since they’ll help your lawn retain moisture.
- Once the drought passes and temperatures cool, brown grass will start to regenerate. Soak your lawn every few days in the morning, and apply fertilizer before the end of fall.^{[4]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Reviving Larger Dead Patches

1
Aerate compacted soil. Rent a power aerator from your local home improvement store. Set the depth control knob to the deepest setting, then start the ignition. Slowly push the aerator in straight lines across the dead patch. Overlap each line slightly, then run another set of lines perpendicular to the first set.^{[5]XResearch source}
- For example, if you ran the aerator north-south first, create another set of lines that run east-west.
- Check your instruction manual for details about how to operate your specific model.
2
Pass a power rake over the area. After aerating the soil, make sure it's dry and any morning dew has evaporated. Start the power rake and push it slowly across the dead patch in slightly overlapping lines. Create a set of lines in one direction, such as north-south, then create another set of lines that run perpendicular, such as east-west.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Some power rakes are self-propelled. If your model is self-propelled, handle it with a sturdy grip and get a feel for the force needed to control it before pushing it across the dead patch.
- You can also rent a power rake from your local home improvement store. Check your product manual for your specific model's operating instructions.
3
Rake up debris and thatch by hand. After aerating and power raking, grab a hand rake and remove as much remaining thatch as possible. Hand rake in the same direction that you passed the power rake.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Dispose of thatch in lawn bags or compost it.
4
Re-seed dead patches after treating compacted soil. Spread seed by hand or use a rotary spreader. Check your product’s label and try to spread only as many seeds over the area as it recommends. Then gently work the grass into the soil with the back side of your hand rake.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Spreading too many seeds will lead to competition for resources. Spreading seeds too thinly will result in bare spots.
- In most climates, the best time to re-seed is early in the spring through mid-summer, or before it gets too hot and dry.
- Use a silt seeder to make this process easier. This device pushes like a lawn mower, making it easy to go over dead patching in 2 overlapping arcs.
5
Apply a decomposer and fertilizer, then water the lawn. Use a rotary spreader to apply decomposer, which will break down any remaining thatch and encourage seed growth. Then apply a lawn fertilizer that contains slow-release nitrogen.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Make sure you use a slow-release nitrogen product. A heavy dose of nitrogen early on will burn off new grass before it can fully develop.
- Avoid fertilizing when it's hot out. Try to do it twice a year in the spring and fall.^{[10]XExpert SourceBenjamin Hansen
  Licensed Landscape ContractorExpert Interview. 6 October 2020.}
6
Water new grass thoroughly. Saturate re-seeded patches immediately after planting. Water these areas 5 minutes twice in the morning for 2 to 3 weeks. Then, water these areas 10 to 15 minutes once daily. Once new grass has matured, water it with the same frequency as the rest of your lawn.^{[11]XResearch source}
- The right watering schedule depends on your location. If you get a lot of rain, your lawn might not need any additional water. If conditions are dry, soak your lawn every 4 weeks. For conditions somewhere in the middle, water it whenever the soil dries out and grass blades don’t spring back up after stepping on them.^{[12]XResearch source}
7
Fill in dead patches with sod if you need a quick fix. Sod is your best option if you don’t want to take the time to reseed or wait for new shoots to grow. Use a shovel and hoe to strip dead grass and about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of soil. Measure the area, then purchase a roll of sod that matches your tilled area and grass species.^{[13]XTrustworthy SourceMissouri Botanical GardenOldest botanical garden in the U.S. and center for botanical research and science educationGo to source}
- Unroll the sod and cover the tilled patch completely. Soak fresh sod with water immediately and, for the first 2 weeks, water it thoroughly each morning to keep it moist.
- Sod is a good choice if it’s later in the summer or early fall. Depending on your area, seeds won’t germinate that late in the season, so you’d have to deal with the dead patches for several months.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Starting from Scratch

Please note: The WHO considers glyphosate to be a probable human carcinogen. Its use is prohibited in some states and countries. Please check with your local laws and use caution if handling this chemical.

1
Spray a glyphosate herbicide to get rid of all old turf. If more than half of your lawn is dead, your best option is to start from scratch. A glyphosate herbicide will remove all vegetation from the application area. Read your product’s instructions before applying it. Make sure you don’t accidentally spray it on shrubs, flower beds, or other plants near your lawn.^{[14]XResearch source}
- In most climates, the best time to start from scratch is in early spring.
Mowing the lawn low will help clear out dead vegetation and prepare soil for new seed or sod.^{[15]XResearch source} Wait a couple of weeks before mowing and rejuvenating the soil. That way, you'll know all traces of glyphosate have left the soil.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceNational Pesticide Information CenterOrganization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticidesGo to source}
3
Aerate, then power rake the soil bed. Pass the power aerator across your yard, then power rake it. Push each machine slowly in overlapping lines across your lawn’s entire area. Make 2 sets of perpendicular lines with each machine, then collect any remaining thatch with a hand rake. Dispose of thatch in lawn bags or compost it.^{[17]XResearch source}
- To create perpendicular sets of lines, run the aerator north-south across your yard, then push it in straight lines east-west. Then repeat the process with the power rake.
- Rent an aerator and power rake from a home improvement store. Check your manuals for your specific models' operating instructions.
4
Apply a thin layer of compost, then re-seed. Spread compost in a layer less than a 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) thick. Then use a rotary spreader to re-seed the entire lawn. Work the seed into the compost with the back of your hand rake.^{[18]XResearch source}
- When you re-seed, aim for the density recommended in your product’s instructions.
Your new lawn needs to be moist, but too much water can wash away seeds. Water for 5 minutes twice each morning for the first 2 or 3 weeks. Then water it once a day in the morning for 10 to 15 minutes until new shoots develop.^{[19]XResearch source}
When new grass shoots are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) tall, spread a lawn fertilizer that contains slow-release nitrogen. Wait until you see shoots and use a slow-release formula to prevent burning off grass before it can mature.^{[20]XResearch source}
7
Lay sod instead of seeds if you want to save time. Re-seeding can take time and effort, so lay sod if you want to hasten the process. Clear the lawn with glyphosate and power rake it. Alternatively, you could rent a power sod cutter and remove 2 inches (5.1 cm) of dead grass and soil from the entire lawn.^{[21]XResearch source}
- Purchase rolls of sod to fit your entire lawn's area, unroll them, then water thoroughly. Water sod daily to keep it moist for 2 to 4 weeks, then water it only when the soil starts to feel dry.
Grass needs full sun, so if your lawn is shaded, you probably won’t have much luck reviving it. Consider replacing shaded patches or the entire lawn with shade-tolerant groundcovers.^{[22]XResearch source}
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Question
How do I make my lawn green and thick?
Benjamin Hansen
Licensed Landscape Contractor
Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.
Benjamin Hansen
Licensed Landscape Contractor
Expert Answer
Apply a granular fertilizer twice a year when it's cool outside, like during the spring and fall.
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Can you revive dead grass?
Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.
Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Expert Answer
If the grass is completely dead due to drought circumstances, then, unfortunately, it is impossible to bring back. However regular watering will bring back dormant grass in a matter of weeks. You should try to pinpoint the reason for the dead grass and consult with a gardening store to form a plan of action.
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Tips

Brown grass does not mean dead grass. Grass often turns brown when it is dormant. Monitor your grass for several weeks to see if any new shoots come up before deciding an area is dead.
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It is easiest to save a dying lawn in the summer or fall. The process can still be done in the spring, though, if you are vigilant.
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