diff --git a/data-raw/generate_biomee_driver_data_DBEN.R b/data-raw/generate_biomee_driver_data_DBEN.R
index f2788982..677711a0 100644
--- a/data-raw/generate_biomee_driver_data_DBEN.R
+++ b/data-raw/generate_biomee_driver_data_DBEN.R
@@ -159,13 +159,13 @@ params_soil <- tibble(
 init_cohort <- tibble(
   init_n_cohorts = 1,   # number of PFTs: 1,2,3,4,...
   init_cohort_species = seq(1, 10),   # indicates sps # 1 - Fagus sylvatica
-  init_cohort_nindivs = 0.05,  # initial individual density, individual/m2 ! 1 indiv/m2 = 10.000 indiv/ha
-  init_cohort_bl      = 0.0, # initial biomass of leaves, kg C/individual
-  init_cohort_br      = 0.0, # initial biomass of fine roots, kg C/individual
-  init_cohort_bsw     = 0.05, # initial biomass of sapwood, kg C/individual
-  init_cohort_bHW     = 0.0, # initial biomass of heartwood, kg C/tree
-  init_cohort_seedC   = 0.0, # initial biomass of seeds, kg C/individual
-  init_cohort_nsc     = 0.05  # initial non-structural biomass
+  init_cohort_nindivs = 0.05,  
+  init_cohort_bl      = 0.0, 
+  init_cohort_br      = 0.0, 
+  init_cohort_bsw     = 0.05, 
+  init_cohort_bHW     = 0.0, 
+  init_cohort_seedC   = 0.0, 
+  init_cohort_nsc     = 0.05  
 )
 
 init_soil <- tibble( #list
diff --git a/src/vegetation_biomee.mod.f90 b/src/vegetation_biomee.mod.f90
index feb67d04..226d2973 100755
--- a/src/vegetation_biomee.mod.f90
+++ b/src/vegetation_biomee.mod.f90
@@ -490,9 +490,10 @@ subroutine vegn_phenology( vegn )
     integer :: i
     ! real    :: grassdensity   ! for grasses only
     ! real    :: BL_u,BL_c
+     integer :: GrassMaxL = 3 
     real    :: ccNSC, ccNSN
-    logical :: cc_firstday = .false.
-    logical :: TURN_ON_life = .false., TURN_OFF_life
+    logical :: cc_firstday != .false.
+    logical :: TURN_ON_life, TURN_OFF_life
 
     vegn%litter = 0   ! daily litter
 
@@ -513,12 +514,19 @@ subroutine vegn_phenology( vegn )
       if (sp%phenotype==1 .and. cc%status==LEAF_OFF) cc%status=LEAF_ON
 
       ! for deciduous and grasses
-      TURN_ON_life = (sp%phenotype == 0 .and. &
-        cc%status    == LEAF_OFF       .and. &
-        cc%gdd        > sp%gdd_crit    .and. &
-        vegn%tc_pheno > sp%tc_crit_on) .and. &
-        (sp%lifeform .ne. 0 .OR.(sp%lifeform .eq. 0 .and. cc%layer==1))
-
+      !TURN_ON_life = (sp%phenotype == 0 .and. &
+      !  cc%status    == LEAF_OFF       .and. &
+      !  cc%gdd        > sp%gdd_crit    .and. &
+      !  vegn%tc_pheno > sp%tc_crit_on) .and. &
+      !  (sp%lifeform .ne. 0 .OR.(sp%lifeform .eq. 0 .and. cc%layer==1))
+
+      TURN_ON_life = ((sp%phenotype==0 .and. cc%status/=LEAF_ON)     &
+        .and.(cc%gdd>sp%gdd_crit .and. vegn%tc_pheno>sp%tc_crit_on)  &  ! Thermal conditions
+       !.and.(vegn%thetaS>sp%betaON .and. cc%Ndm>Days_thld)         &  ! Water
+        .and.(vegn%thetaS>sp%betaON)                                 &  ! Water
+        .and.(.NOT.(sp%lifeform==0 .and. cc%layer > GrassMaxL))      &  ! If grasses, layer< 3
+         )
+      
       cc_firstday = .false.
       if (TURN_ON_life) then
         cc%status = LEAF_ON ! Turn on a growing season