Every fall, we get calls from worried homeowners — usually new to the area — asking why their lawn is turning brown. For centipede and other warm-season grasses in Horry County, winter dormancy is completely normal, not a sign of a dying lawn.
Why it happens
Warm-season grasses evolved to shut down growth and go dormant once temperatures drop, conserving energy in the roots and crown until warm weather returns in spring. The tan, straw-like color you see is the grass protecting itself, not decaying.
What’s normal during dormancy
An even, tan-brown color across the whole lawn, little to no growth, and minimal need for water or mowing. A lawn that was healthy going into fall should green back up on its own once soil temperatures warm in spring.
What’s not normal
Uneven patches of dead-looking grass next to green grass, areas that pull up easily at the roots, or sections that don’t green back up by late spring are worth a look — those can point to a real problem rather than normal dormancy.
What to do during dormancy
Very little, by design — this is a rest period. Avoid heavy foot traffic on frozen or frosted dormant grass, hold off on fertilizer until the lawn is actively growing again, and don’t panic at the color change. It’s exactly what a healthy centipede or bermuda lawn is supposed to do every winter.
