Brown Lawn in Spring? It Might Be Dormant Warm-Season Grass

Don't Panic—It Could Be Zoysia or Bermuda

In southern New Jersey, a lawn that's brown all winter and into spring is likely a warm-season grass (zoysia or Bermuda). These grasses go dormant when soil temps drop below 65°F and green up in May.

Wait Until June

If the entire lawn is uniformly straw-colored, it's probably dormant, not dead. Give it until June 1st. Meanwhile, control winter weeds like wild onion (scallions) by digging or spot-spraying glyphosate with cardboard shields.

Fertilize on the Right Schedule

Warm-season grasses need nitrogen in summer, not spring or fall. Fertilize when fully green (early summer) and again mid-summer. Avoid "winterizer" products.

If Still Brown in June

Then consider renovation. But odds are it's just a warm-season lawn doing what it's supposed to do—and it'll outperform cool-season grasses in July heat.