A lush, green lawn is the hallmark of a beautiful summer yard. However, achieving this can be challenging, especially during dry weather conditions. Don’t throw in the towel just yet! With the right strategies, you can maintain and even save your lawn through the toughest droughts. Here’s how
Recognizing Drought Stress

First, it’s essential to recognize the signs of drought stress in your lawn. Look for:

  • Wilting: Grass blades may begin to wilt or curl.
  • Darkening Color: The lawn may appear darker than usual.
  • Footprints: Footprints remain visible after walking across the lawn, indicating a lack of resilience.

If you notice these signs, it’s time to implement some drought management techniques.

Effective Management Tips

1. Put Lawn Projects on Hold

Drought conditions are stressful for lawns. To help your grass retain as much moisture as possible, hold off on projects like aerating and dethatching. These activities can further dehydrate the lawn.

2. Delay Fertilizer Applications

Avoid using excess nitrogen fertilizer during hot, dry periods. Overfertilizing can burn the lawn. Instead, wait until early September when temperatures are cooler to apply fertilizer.

3. Keep Weeds Down

Weeds compete with your grass for essential nutrients and water. Keeping weeds under control gives your grass a better chance to thrive.

4. Water Deeply and Infrequently

Deep, infrequent watering helps lawns cope with dry conditions. The best time to water is early in the morning (5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.). This ensures the grass gets the moisture it needs and reduces evaporation. Make sure your sprinkler is set to water the lawn only, avoiding sidewalks, roads, or buildings. Also, ensure water is not puddling or running off.

5. Mow High

Set your mower height to two-and-a-half to four inches. Mowing high promotes a deeper and larger root system, retains moisture, defends against weeds, and keeps the soil cooler. Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at a time to prevent stressing the lawn.

6. Mulch Instead of Bagging

Mulching your lawn instead of bagging clippings helps retain more moisture and nutrients in the soil, supporting healthier grass growth.

7. Maintain Your Lawn Equipment

Sharpen your lawn mower blades twice a year. Dull blades tear at the grass, causing it to use 40 to 60% more water to recover.

8. Allow Dormancy

In Memphis, TN, many lawns consist of warm-season grasses such as Bermuda and Zoysia. These grasses are well-adapted to handle hot and dry conditions by going dormant during extreme heat. Dormancy means active shoot growth stops, and the grass may turn brown, but the crown, rhizomes, and roots remain alive.

Smart Irrigation Practices

Implementing efficient irrigation techniques is crucial for maintaining a healthy lawn during droughts. Here are some key practices to consider:

  • Install a Drip Irrigation System

Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation and ensuring efficient water use. This targeted approach conserves water while keeping your lawn adequately hydrated.

  • Use Smart Irrigation Controllers

Smart irrigation controllers adjust watering schedules based on real-time weather conditions and soil moisture levels. These systems optimize water usage, preventing overwatering and ensuring your lawn receives the right amount of water.

  • Group Plants with Similar Water Needs

Grouping plants with similar water requirements allows for more efficient irrigation. This practice ensures that each area of your lawn receives the appropriate amount of water without wastage.

  • Check for Leaks and Malfunctions

Regularly inspect your irrigation system for leaks, broken sprinklers, and other malfunctions. Prompt repairs help conserve water and maintain the effectiveness of your irrigation efforts.

  • Avoid Overwatering

Overwatering can be as detrimental as underwatering. It can lead to shallow root growth, increased weed growth, and fungal diseases. Ensure your lawn receives deep, infrequent watering to promote strong, deep roots.

Conclusion

Maintaining a lawn during a drought requires more care and attention than usual. By recognizing the signs of drought stress and implementing these management tips, including smart irrigation practices, you can help keep your turf healthy even during the worst dry spells. With a little extra effort, your lawn can remain lush and vibrant throughout the summer.

Stay committed, and your lawn will thank you!