How to Keep Your Lawn Green and Healthy During a Drought?

Summer! Long sunny days, pool parties and.. not to mention, a drought! Just when your lawn starts to look like a pretty green paradise, the undying heat and lack of rain threaten it to turn into crispy brown desert.

But don’t sweat it out!

With a little bit of know-how, some strategic watering and a touch of lawn love, we can help you keep your grass thriving even in the driest of the times. This guide is a walking support for lawn caretakers, and homeowners who hold a strong passion of maintaining their lawns in this drought season.

Walk with us on knowing different stages of drought stress and what you can do to keep your lawn fabulous.

Grab a lemonade, sit back and dive into the art of lawn survival!

Drought stress: What you need to know

When water becomes scarce, your lawn goes into survival mode. This means you still have the chance to maintain them right. It doesn’t turn brown overnight- there goes a series of stages, giving plenty of warning signs before completely giving up.

Think of it as your grass waving little distress flag before it decides to take a long nap (aka dormancy).

Let’s understand these stages that intervene during summer time and leave irreversible damage.

Stages of drought stress in your lawn

Stage 1- Early drought stress signs

Your lawn will start to whisper, “hey, I’m thirsty!” by throwing these signs:

• Grass color starts to change- Instead of lush green, it will turn into bluish green or dull hue. This is one of the first signs that shows grasses are struggling with moisture.
• Footprints linger- Normally, when you step on healthy grass, it springs back quickly. But in case of early drought stress, footprints stay invisible for longer because grass lacks the required hydration.
• Blades curl inward- If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that some grass blades begin to fold or roll up like tiny tacos.

Stage 2: The tipping point

Your grass is now practically screaming for water, but in a very dry, quiet way. Symptoms include:

• Grass takes longer to recover- Remember those footprints from earlier? They now last even longer and your lawn feels less springy.
• Patchy brown spots- Some areas start to turn light brown or yellow, signaling that the grass is struggling to access moisture.
• Soil starts cracking- The top layer of the soil will become dry and have cracks.

Stage 3- Pre-Dormancy

At this point, your lawn has officially had enough. It is throwing in the towel and preparing to shut down.

• Large areas turning brown- Unlike Stage 2 where only patches were affected, now most of the lawn is losing its color.
• Growth slows significantly- Your grass is no longer actively growing, rather it is looking dull and lifeless.
• Soil is extremely dry- Even after watering, the soil struggles to retain moisture.

Stage 4- Dormancy

This is the full-on lawn hibernation mode. Your grass has decided, “Wake me up when the rain comes back.”

• Entire lawn turns brown- Unlike earlier stages that remain green at some parts, everything now looks dried. But don’t panic! The grass isn’t dead, it is just recovering.
• Recovery time increases- Your lawn will need several weeks to bounce back after the drought ends.

6 Drought tips to keep your lawn pretty green

1. Water it often

For homeowners- Irrigate early in the morning or during the late evening to minimize evaporation. Avoid watering midday- it is just feeding the Sun!

For Lawn Care businesses- Implement a smart irrigation system that automates watering schedules as per the weather conditions. Field Promax can be used here to schedule and track lawncare services efficiently, ensuring stress-free maintenance.

2. Mow higher, less frequently

For homeowners- Raise your mower blade high to keep grass taller. It provides shade and reduces moisture loss in the soil.

For Lawn Care Business- Educate customers on the benefits of seasonal mowing adjustments and optimize their schedules by automated dispatching. This reduces unnecessary visits while maintaining lawn health.

3. Use clippings

For homeowners- Leave clippings on the lawn as they act as a natural mulch. This helps the soil to retain moisture.

For Lawn Care Businesses- Prompt mulching services as an eco-friendly lawn care option. Use smart tracking tools to ensure crews follow best practices and provide consistent service.

4. Fertilize

For homeowners- Use slow-release organic fertilizers as much as possible. Fertilizers with inorganic substances harm soil health and reduce water retention capacity. On the brighter side, organic fertilisers feed the soil with high health and high retention possibilities.

For Lawn Care businesses- Offer customized fertilization plans using drought-resistant formulas. Use applications to track and send automated service reminders.

5. Improve soil health

For homeowners- Add compost, use soil conditioners to improve water absorption and root growth. Peat moss or humic acid soil amendments to enhance moisture retention rate in soil. Ensure to test the soil pH nutrient level to maintain proper balance for optimal grass growth.

For Lawn Care business- Lawn care professionals have a series of tasks in their checklist for maintaining soil fertility. This is the actual list to follow-

• Loosen compacted soil to improve nutrient penetration and improve water.
• Apply a thin layer of organic compost to enhance microbial activity.
• Use gypsum for clay-heavy soil, mycorrhizal fungi to promote deeper root growth.
• Recommend some drought-resistant grass types and suggest drip irrigation or deep watering strategies.

6. Reduce foot traffic

For homeowners- Your lawn isn’t a highway treat it with some love by following these!

• Go the stepping stone route: Lay down stepping stones, mulch pathways so grass doesn’t feel like it’s in a wrestling match every day.
• Keep the fun contained: Set up a dedicated play zone area for kids and pets.
• Be strategic: Encourage guests to use designated walkways instead of trampling your beautiful green carpet.

For Lawn care professionals– Apart from using Field Promax for automatically reminding clients about aeration, reseeding, a professional has to do the following:

• Pathway design: Create paver walkways, stylish wooden boardwalks because well-planned paths =  happy grass.
• Turf protection: Recommend reinforced grass pavers and synthetic turf in high-traffic areas so the lawn stays lush.
• Compacted soil rescue: Identify all the trouble spots and aerate them regularly. Think of it as a deep-tissue massage for soil.

Conclusion

There you have it, an ultimate guide to keeping your lawn lush green and vibrant, even when the sun is turning up the heat. With a little bit of love, some smart watering and grass care magic, your lawn can drive through even the driest month. Remember, your grass isn’t asking much, just a bit of TLC, team up with the experts and little patience while it waits for the rain to come back.

So, let’s not leave the lawns high and dry and keep them rooted in good care.