If you live in a drought-prone part of the country, knowing how to maintain your lawn during a drought is essential. To protect your lawn, let the grass grow longer; avoid fertilization, dethatching, and aeration; weed by hand; water efficiently; apply mulch; limit foot traffic; and monitor the lawn.
How to care for your lawn during a drought
Drought is a prolonged period of unusually low rainfall, which leads to water supply issues, loss of income for farmers and other related industries, increased costs for food and water, and environmental stress. This dry spell can persist for a few weeks or even several years and is typically triggered by:
- Increased evaporation
- Higher demand for water
- Climate change (higher land and ocean temperatures)
- Water pollution
- Deforestation
- Soil degradation
Drought can really take a toll on your lawn. Look for signs of drought stress, such as:
- Discoloration
- Blade curling and wilting
- Thinning and patchiness
- Slow growth
- Weeds
- A dry, crunchy texture to the grass
- Footprints that remain visible on the lawn
Be flexible and adjust your lawn care practices based on weather conditions and your grass’ response.
To reduce the effects of drought on your lawn, consider the following steps:
1. Let the grass grow longer
Under normal conditions, you want to mow your lawn based on the recommended height for your grass type. But during a drought, mow your lawn taller than the recommended height. Tall turfgrass shades the ground and can help establish deep roots — enhancing your lawn’s drought resistance. Some general grass-type mowing guidelines:
| Grass name | Grass type | Recommended summer mowing height |
| Bahiagrass | Warm season | 3 to 4 inches |
| Bermudagrass | Warm season | 2.5 to 3 inches |
| Buffalograss | Warm season | 3 to 4 inches |
| Carpetgrass | Warm season | 2.5 to 4 inches |
| Centipedegrass | Warm season | 2 to 3 inches |
| St. Augustinegrass | Warm season | 3 to 4 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | Warm season | 2.5 to 3 inches |
| Fine fescue | Cool season | 3 to 4 inches |
| Tall fescue | Cool season | 3 to 4 inches |
| Kentucky bluegrass | Cool season | 3 to 4 inches |
| Perennial ryegrass | Cool season | 3 to 4 inches |
Don’t scalp your grass (mow too short). And don’t mow if your lawn is showing signs of dormancy.
Also, make sure you have sharp mower blades. Unsharpened lawn mower blades can tear the grass, give your lawn an uneven look, and add stress to already vulnerable grass. Torn grass loses more water, which is already a problem in a drought. For torn grass blades to bounce back, it will require time and between 40% and 60% more water.
2. Avoid fertilization, dethatching, and aeration
When it’s hot and dry out, avoid fertilization, as the salt content can burn your turf. Your lawn also will need plenty of water to absorb the fertilizer.
If you must feed your lawn, pick slow-release fertilizer over quick-release fertilizer. The latter can weaken your grass and cause damage if misused. Fertilize your warm-season grass anytime from early spring to early summer, before drought strikes. If you have cool-season grass, fertilize in the fall.
Likewise, avoid dethatching and aeration, as both can add more stress to your already vulnerable lawn. Instead, dethatch and aerate in the spring or fall when the weather cools down and your lawn isn’t under so much stress. These processes can help your lawn recover after the drought has ended.
3. Weed by hand
Weeds try to steal nutrients, water, and growing space from your lawn. When you first notice pesky weeds in your lawn, pull them out by hand. Why?
Applying herbicides in hot, dry weather is risky. In temperatures over 80-85 degrees, herbicides evaporate and can’t be absorbed by the turf. Plants and weeds also enter dormancy in these conditions, so herbicides won’t help much.
Finally, avoiding herbicides protects your already stressed turf and reduces the risk of harming beneficial plants and organisms in your lawn.
4. Water efficiently
Water your lawn between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. when wind and evaporation are less likely and the sun is at its weakest. Watering early in the morning lets the water penetrate the soil and reach the roots. It also gives the grass blades time to dry, reducing the risk of fungal lawn diseases.
Water two to three times a week, each time for approximately 30 minutes (a total of about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water). If your grass goes dormant, provide between ¼ and ½ inches of water every two to four weeks.
Soak your lawn until puddles form during each 30-minute session. In case of rainfall (uncommon during a drought, but still possible), you can stop watering altogether and start back up in a few days as needed.
Watering your lawn deeply two to three times a week helps your grass develop deep, strong roots that can better withstand drought. In contrast, frequent watering in short bursts promotes shallow roots that can’t handle drought.
In case of local watering restrictions:
- Follow the regulations set by your local authorities.
- Water efficiently. Invest in a drip irrigation system that directs water directly to the grass root zone to limit water waste.
- Collect rainwater in a barrel or another container to access water during restrictive periods.
- Focus on priority areas such as new grass, trees, or shrubs. These require more moisture to establish healthy roots and grow strong.
5. Apply mulch
Mulch such as grass clippings can return nutrients to the soil and prevent weeds during dormancy (common in a drought). It also keeps the soil cool and helps it absorb and retain water.
After mowing, leave the clippings on the lawn instead of throwing them away. Spread them out evenly and make sure they are between ¼ and ½ inches thick to avoid smothering the grass. The layer of clippings should be thin enough to allow air, water, and sunlight to reach the grass.
You can also mulch around the lawn to support overall health. Apply organic mulch such as wood chips, straw, bark, or compost around flower beds, garden borders, and nearby shrubs. Use a 2- to 4-inch thick layer, and leave a gap of about 1 to 2 inches around plant stems and 6 inches around tree trunks to stop rot and pests.
6. Limit foot traffic
During a drought, footprints stay visible on the grass. Dry, hot weather makes grass more sensitive, so try not to walk on it if it’s struggling.
Foot traffic can add stress, harm your lawn, and cause compacted soil, preventing water, air, and nutrients from reaching the grassroots.
FAQ about maintaining your lawn during a drought
What are some ways to conserve water during a drought?
Times of drought can be stressful, but luckily, you can do a couple of things to reduce your household’s water use and protect the environment.
- Try xeriscaping
- Fill your landscape with drought-tolerant plants to increase your backyard’s overall drought tolerance. These can include:
Does rain during a drought mean the drought is over?
You may feel like dancing in the rain after a drought, but don’t get too hopeful. One rainstorm doesn’t mean the drought is over. Your plants may perk up, but it takes many soaking rainfalls over several months to help the area recover from drought stress – especially if the soil is compacted.
Can you predict drought?
Droughts can creep up quietly. Cities monitor temperatures and water levels to predict water shortages, but residents usually only find out when restrictions are put in place.
The National Weather Service uses weather satellites to track and predict monthly drought levels. To do your part, be proactive and keep track of current conditions.
An expert can lend a hand
If you’re stressed about maintaining your drought-stressed lawn, hire a local Lawn Love expert. They can offer tips and services for efficient watering, correct mowing, and lawn treatments so your grass can thrive despite the dry weather.
Sources
Main Photo Credit: Alabama Extension | Flickr | public domain
