How to Identify and Treat Your Drought-Stressed Lawn
Your lawn relies on you to give it the water and care it needs during periods of drought. Below, we’ll talk about the ways a drought can affect your lawn, and what homeowners can do to help it survive and even thrive through the long Alabama summer and fall.
What is a Drought-Stressed Lawn?
A short period of dry and hot weather is typically not a major concern, especially if you’re able to water or irrigate the lawn. But when that dry spell is prolonged — lasting several weeks or even months — it can place enormous stress on your grass.
A drought-stressed lawn will look brown, brittle, and patchy. This happens because the grass that makes up your lawn’s turf may go through a period of dormancy to protect itself against the unfavorable conditions. However, when you notice your grass going dormant during a growth season, you must act quickly to prevent it from dying and restore a healthy lawn.
When Drought Stress is Most Common in Alabama
October is the most typical month for drought across Alabama, though it’s possible all through the summer and fall months, depending on where you are in the state. Drought conditions can come on fast, especially in the southern parts of Alabama, and are known as “flash droughts.” If you’re wondering if a dry spell is actually a drought, you can check the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) for real-time data on drought conditions in Alabama and other states.
Identifying a Drought-Stressed Lawn
The first step to identifying a drought-stressed lawn is understanding the typical summer lawn challenges in Alabama. Next, look for signs of stress, like wilted grass blades, discoloration, hard soil, or indentations in the grass. You might also notice a blue, purple, or gray tint to your grass. This is an indication of stress, and you don’t have much time to correct the problem before the grass dies.
Once you notice signs of drought-stress, quick action is necessary if you want to reverse the damage or keep it from worsening.
Caring for a Drought-Stressed Lawn
Don’t be discouraged if you start to see symptoms of drought stress. It’s important to continue to practice standard methods of keeping a healthy summer lawn, and then incorporate these tips:
Watering Practices
One of the most common lawn watering mistakes is watering too frequently. You might think it’s impossible to do that during a drought, but it’s actually even more critical that you don’t overwater or over-saturate your grass during these times. Instead, focus on watering deeply instead of frequently. Lawns typically need an average of one inch of water per week, which you can accomplish in a few 20-minute watering sessions on different days.
Remember to always water in the morning when the temperature is cooler. This helps prevent water evaporation, which could occur during hotter times of the day, and it also prevents disease spread, which is more likely when watering in the evening.
Mowing Guidelines
You might think that cutting the grass shorter and mowing less frequently would be better for an already-stressed lawn, but that isn’t how it works. Taller grasses have deeper root systems, which helps them collect as much moisture from the soil as possible. During a drought, you should keep the grass higher than normal, and only remove the very top of the grass blades. Aim for half an inch to one inch taller than your usual height.
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Soil Improvement
Check on your soil as soon as you notice signs of drought stress. Compacted soil will prevent moisture from reaching the roots, but this can be avoided with soil aeration. Core aeration creates small holes in the soil that allow water, nutrients, and oxygen to more easily reach the roots and can promote recovery and growth.
Fertilization
Be wary of fertilizing your lawn during a drought. While this can stimulate growth, it also takes valuable energy from the grass and can lead to even more stress. It’s typically better to address the drought stress first, and then research a fertilizer mix that will be gentle on your recovering grass.
- Related article: When Should a Lawn Be Fertilized?
Weed Control
During times of drought, aggressive weeds can seize on an opportunity to take over and force out damaged and stressed grasses. It typically isn’t a good move to put down harsh herbicides on a stressed lawn, so manually pulling is a safer option. Remember that practicing good lawn care will also help encourage your grass to grow and create an environment that is less welcoming to the weeds, so hang in there.
Tips for Preventing Drought Stress in Your Lawn
Curing drought-stressed lawns is much harder than preventing it from happening in the first place. Of course, you can’t stop a force of nature, but you can be ready for it. When a drought is anticipated in your area, take these steps:
- Consider reseeding or overseeding with a drought-tolerant grass mix.
- Explore irrigation systems to ensure consistent and adequate watering.
- Maintain your lawn mower and sharpen your mower blades so it’s prepped and ready for the season.
- Stay on top of seasonal maintenance like weed control, fertilization, and lawn aeration.
How Mighty Green Can Help With Drought Stress
Above all, remember that you don’t have to go it alone when it comes to managing your drought-stressed lawn. The pros at Mighty Green are experts in caring for Alabama lawns, even through the driest, hottest drought season. Check out our full list of lawn care services and then get in touch to find out how we can help you turn your damaged grass into a green lawn. Contact us for a free quote today!