Maintaining your lush, green lawn can be challenging, and it becomes even more difficult when you’re dealing with a drought. Dry spells can put stress on your grass, making it more susceptible to damage. However, with the right strategies, you can help your lawn survive these dry spells and thrive through these tough times.
At Green Castle Lawn Care, we want homeowners to be prepared for whatever weather is yet to come. Knowing how to protect your lawn during drought conditions can help alleviate the stress you may experience as it begins to brown. If you want to learn more about how to care for your lawn during a drought, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
Make Sure to Water Wisely
During a drought, water is an incredibly precious resource. However, it can be difficult to come by, making it crucial that you use it efficiently. When trying to navigate drought conditions, it is best to water your lawn early in the morning, between 4 AM and 10 AM. By watering early, you can reduce evaporation and ensure the water penetrates the soil deeply.
You should also aim to water deeply and infrequently. By watering deeply, you encourage your roots to grow more deeply, which results in a more drought-resistant lawn. Aim to provide your grass with about one inch of water a week, spread over two water sessions. Finally, consider investing in a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. This will deliver water directly to the soil and roots, reducing the chance of evaporation and runoff.
Adjust Your Mowing Techniques
Improper moving during a drought can exacerbate existing stress on your grass, making it essential that you mow properly. When you do mow, ensure that you set the mower blade higher, aiming to keep your grass around 4 inches tall. With taller grass, you provide more shade to the soil, reducing evaporation and keeping your roots cooler.
You should also aim to mow less frequently, and should not mow during the hottest part of the day or when your grass is under severe stress. Less frequent mowing will reduce the stress on your lawn. When you’re done mowing, leave the grass clippings on the lawn to create additional shade for your soil, helping your grass retain moisture.
Address Fertilization and Soil Care
Taking care of your soil and fertilization needs is essential during a drought. While you may want to invest in more fertilization while your grass is struggling with drier weather conditions, this may do more harm than good. During a drought, grass growth slows down, and heavy fertilization can stress the lawn. Opt for a light application of a slow-release fertilizer if needed.
However, while fertilization might not be best for your lawn during this dry spell, there are some things you can do to improve your soil health. During this period, you should consider aerating your lawn to improve water infiltration and reduce soil compaction. You should also add compost to help retain soil moisture.
Invest in Mulch and Ground Cover
When the weather is hot and there is minimal rainfall, it is essential that you provide your lawn with as much shade as possible. When drought conditions arrive, mulch around your plants and in your garden beds to help your soil maintain moisture levels. Adding a layer of mulch can also help to reduce evaporation from your soil.
You may also want to consider planting drought-resistant ground cover in areas where your grass is struggling to grow. These plants require less water and can help you maintain a lusher, green lawn while you attempt to navigate these drought conditions. If you’re struggling to find drought-resistant ground cover, you may want to speak to a professional about what they recommend.
Choose the Right Grass Seed
In addition to adding mulch and ground cover, it might be a good idea to consider looking for a more drought-resistant grass seed during a drought. If you live in an area that is prone to frequent droughts, consider planting grass species such as Bermuda, Buffalo, or Zoysia grass. These varieties are better adapted to dry conditions and require less water.
By investing in this more drought-tolerant grass species, you can trust that your lawn will look its best, even when moisture levels begin to drop significantly. When water levels return to normal, you will still only need to water a few times a week, saving you from costly water bills every month.
Schedule Regular Maintenance
While you can stay vigilant during a drought, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a team of professionals for support. When you schedule professional lawn care services with a team of professionals, they can monitor your soil moisture and nutrient levels, making necessary adjustments to keep it in good health.
They can also help you monitor for signs of stress, such as wilting, discoloration, or footprints that remain visible after walking on the lawn. Addressing these signs as soon as they emerge can prevent long-term damage, ensuring you have a lush lawn when moisture levels return to their expected levels.
Care for Your Lawn During a Drought in Ogden, Utah
Caring for your lawn during a drought can be difficult, especially if you struggled to achieve a lush lawn when there was adequate water. If you’re looking for support to care for your lawn during this period of drought in the Ogden area, turn to our team at Green Castle Lawn Care. For over 20 years, our team has provided reliable lawn care services to homeowners across the area.
With this experience in mind, you can trust that there is no lawn problem that is too big or too small for our team to address. From our lawn care services to tree and shrub care, insect and weed control, and more, our team provides a variety of services to help everyone achieve their dream lawn. If you would like to schedule lawn maintenance during a drought or if you have any questions about the services we provide, don’t hesitate to contact us today.