Summer Drought Lawn Care: Your Comprehensive Recovery Guide

Sep 22

Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn during a summer drought requires specific strategies that differ from your usual lawn care routine. This guide will help you understand the best practices for watering your lawn during dry conditions to prevent damage and promote resilience.

1. Deep Watering: Prevent Shallow Rooting

During droughts, it's crucial to avoid the temptation to reduce watering due to increased water bills. Instead, water your lawn deeply. This encourages the roots to grow downward rather than staying near the surface, which can lead to "shallow rooting." Shallow roots make your lawn more susceptible to disease and other issues. To ensure deep watering:

Water less frequently, but for longer periods.
Ensure the water penetrates several inches into the soil to reach the root zone.

2. Utilize the Cycle and Soak Method

Hard, dry soil doesn’t absorb water well, which can cause runoff. To combat this, employ the "cycle and soak" method:

Water each zone of your lawn for about 15 minutes.
Cycle through all the zones, then repeat the process.
This method helps the soil absorb more water, preventing wastage through runoff.

3. Adjust Watering Based on Sun Exposure

Different parts of your lawn have different water needs based on their exposure to sunlight:

Sunny Areas: These require more frequent watering—around 5-6 times a week, with each session lasting 1-2 hours per zone.
Shaded Areas: Reduce watering by 50% as these areas retain moisture longer and are less likely to dry out.

4. Addressing Small Dry Spots

For small, dry patches where the soil has become particularly compact:

Use a garden claw to aerate these spots by making holes in the surface.
Water these areas by hand with a hose to ensure deep saturation.

5. Timing Your Watering: The Early Bird Approach

Water early in the morning—around 5-6 AM. This timing allows the lawn to absorb the maximum amount of moisture before the heat of the day increases evaporation rates. Avoid evening watering as it can lead to increased lawn disease and insect activity, which might also affect your home.

Additional Tips:

Regularly check your sprinkler system to ensure it’s functioning efficiently.
Adjust your lawn mower to a higher cut to reduce stress on the grass.
Consider applying a drought-resistant grass seed to areas prone to drying out.

By following these tailored tips during a summer drought, you can help your lawn not only survive but thrive, ensuring it remains green, healthy, and vibrant despite the challenging conditions.

Evo Lawn & Landscape