Some turf in our area may become dormant in fall. Dormancy is a protective stress reaction that occurs in grass when it faces an environmental challenge, extreme cold and wind in winter or summer's heat and drought conditions. 

It is not a strong and resilient state for turf, and a long dormancy can be damaging. Not all the dormant buds will survive dormancy, though established areas of lawn are more resilient. Newly planted grass has fewer dormant buds and less established roots making it more vulnerable. As with most plants, the healthiest way to enter the likely stress of winter cold and winds is as a vigorously growing plant. Helping your grass through weeks of late season drought by watering improves the chance that it will reawaken in spring with the maximum number of viable buds. 

Grass roots shallowly, especially during seasons of drought when there is little water to be reached with deeper roots. The root system is also dense and needs generous water to soak and penetrate. Deeper and less frequent watering, particularly early in the season, encourages deeper and more resilient roots in grass. Many homeowners who irrigate their lawns water deeply, a few times a week rather than daily, for a more resilient lawn.

Courtesy of NYBG Plant Information Service