Know the Difference Between Dead and Dormant Grass
As winter approaches and your looking toward lawn maintenance, it is important to know the difference between dead and dormant grass. Here are some key things to know about grass health and how to identify the differences:

What Does Brown Grass Mean?
If you see brown grass on your property, you may not be sure if it's dead or why it died. The catch is sometimes that brown grass is not dead, but rather dormant. While dead grass will not return, dormant grass can. Dormancy is a tool grass can use to withstand changes in the weather. The trick is knowing the difference so you can evaluate the extent of damage or needs your lawn has to restore it back to health.

Tips for Identifying Grass Damage
One simple way to test the extent of damage in your grass is to tug it. A tug test will tell you things you cannot know by looking at your brown brass. Find a section that appears to be dead, grasp some of it in your hand, then pull on it. If the grass uproots itself easily, then that section has died.

Dealing with Dead or Dormant Grass
Sadly, dead grass does not grow back. For any sections that you have identified as dead, not only will you need to reseed these areas but you will need to clean up the dead grass first. Once the thatch has been removed, new seeds can be placed. Sodding is another option as is installing new landscaping with materials like rocks or mulch. If your grass is simply dormant, consider watering it or feeding it regularly to encourage its growth and bring it out of dormancy.

Reseeding Your Lawn
To reseed your lawn, you will want to mow the grass and remove the clippings. The grass should be mowed to a shorter height than you would normally mow it to. Soil amendments will ensure healthy soil before the seeds are spread. While sod is another option, laying can be considerably more strenuous to do. Similarly to reseeding, you will need to remove the thatch, prep the soil, then add the sod. Regardless of which method you use, adequate water and feeding of the grass will be necessary so that the grass takes.

Other Tips for Lawn Maintenance
If your yard is brown in more than one area, one tip is to look for a pattern. If certain patterns seem obvious and if your grass isn't dead in those areas, it is possible a disease or some kind of soil contamination has occurred. Asking a professional may be best. Also consider temperature changes relevant to grass health. Certain weather patterns impact the way grass goes into dormancy, including cooler weather or droughts. Finally, watering schedules help keep grass both alive and out of dormancy, especially during hotter, drier months. Watering will revive the color of dormant grass in this situation, whereas the dead grass will remain brown.

5 Of The Most Effective Winter Lawn Care Tips
Lawn care is a chore for some and a hobby for others. If you're a homeowner, lawn care is a year-round task. No matter how dedicated you are to a lush, healthy lawn, there are things you can do during colder weather to ensure your lawn is as beautiful and low-maintenance as possible when the weather is warm again.

1) Fertilize
You probably fertilized the lawn in the spring to add nutrients to the soil. Now it's time to fertilize again, to replenish those nutrients lost during the hot summer months. Watch the weather carefully, and try to fertilize within a day of an upcoming rain. Otherwise you can simply water the lawn immediately after fertilizing. This will break down the fertilizer pellets and ensure the fertilizer soaks into the soil.

2) Sow New Seed
Before you buy grass seed, get a rough measurement of the size of your lawn in square feet, so that you know how much seed you'll need. Find a cool weather seed that won't die before the first frost. Use a spreader to sow the seed evenly. You can use the same spreader you used for the fertilizer.

3) Clean Up
Clear the lawn of all leaves, sticks, and branches. These can grow molds and fungi, creating disease conditions for your lawn. Make sure you pack up any outdoor toys and furniture, as these can kill grass if left in place all winter. Bonus tip: collect your leaves in a compost pile to use as extra fertilizer in the spring.

4) Aerate
It's best to use a motorized aerator if you have a larger lawn. If your yard is fairly small, you can use a spade or special aerator shoes that poke holes into the grassroots as you walk around the yard. To kill two birds with one stone, wear these aerator shoes while you seed or fertilize your lawn with a spreader. Aerating your lawn helps air, water, and nutrients reach the roots of your grass.

5) Water
In northern states, many lawns are buried under snow throughout the winter. This is a good thing, because the snow not only keeps dormant grass insulated against damaging winds, but it keeps the grass -- and your newly sown seed -- properly hydrated. In the south, where it may not snow as often, it's a good idea to water your lawn every few days to keep the soil in good shape for newly green grass in spring.

Using these tips, you can be sure your lawn will emerge healthy in the spring, and you'll have fewer weeds and dying grass to worry about!