North Texas Lawns Entering Winter Dormancy Is a Natural and Healthy Transition, Says Dr. Green Services

Dr. Green Services explains why fading color in Bermuda, St. Augustine and Zoysia lawns is a normal seasonal response and what homeowners should expect as temperatures cool

DALLAS, Oct. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures cool across North Texas, many homeowners will notice their lawns beginning to lose the deep green color seen throughout the growing season. According to Dr. Green Services, this seasonal change is often a normal and important part of warm-season turf entering winter dormancy.

Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass and Zoysia grass thrive during warmer months. However, as temperatures fall and daylight decreases, growth gradually slows. Eventually, these grasses may become tan or straw-colored as they enter dormancy for the winter.

That change does not necessarily mean the lawn is dead or unhealthy.

"Dormancy is a natural survival response for warm-season grass," said James Tatum, Director of Operations for Dr. Green Services in Texas. "The lawn may lose its green appearance above ground, but the plant can remain alive and protected until warmer growing conditions return."

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension notes that warm-season grasses can turn straw-colored following frost and remain dormant during winter. This seasonal slowdown allows turf to conserve resources when conditions are less favorable for active growth.

As lawns approach dormancy, their maintenance needs also change.

Because turf growth and water use decline, established warm-season lawns generally require less irrigation during late fall and winter. Watering should therefore be adjusted according to rainfall, temperatures, soil conditions and the lawn's actual needs.

Fertilization also requires careful timing. Excessive nitrogen late in the growing season can encourage unnecessary growth as warm-season turf prepares for dormancy. Fall lawn care should instead account for grass type, weather conditions and the lawn's stage of seasonal growth.

Dormancy can also make existing lawn problems more noticeable. Thin areas, bare spots and uneven turf may become easier to see as green growth fades. Meanwhile, cool-season and winter annual weeds can remain green, making them increasingly visible against dormant grass.

For North Texas homeowners, a lawn transitioning from green to tan or brown should not automatically be viewed as a lawn-care problem. In many cases, it simply signals that warm-season grass is responding naturally to cooler conditions and preparing for winter.

Dr. Green Services recommends continuing appropriate seasonal lawn care while allowing warm-season turf to complete its natural transition into dormancy.

Contact:
Ryan Van Haastrecht
[email protected]
800-465-2934

SOURCE Dr. Green Services