Drought can severely affect the health and look of your lawn. Know the 8 signs of a drought-stressed lawn, including discoloration; blade curling and wilting; thinning and patchiness; slow or no grass growth; weed growth; dry, crunchy grass; visible footprints on the lawn; and cracked soil. We discuss each one in detail to help you identify problems early.
What is drought?
Drought is a lengthy period of unusually dry weather that leads to a deficiency in precipitation. It can lead 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
8 signs your lawn is under drought stress
Drought can severely impact your lawn. Look for signs of drought stress, such as:
1. Discoloration
Drought causes grass to lose its vibrant color and become dull. It reduces chlorophyll production, which results in a faded appearance. It’s often one of the first visible signs of water deficiency.
Initially, the grass will turn a lighter shade of green or blue-grey before progressing to a more severe yellow.
2. Blade curling and wilting
When grass lacks water, the blades will appear limp, curl inward, or fold in half lengthwise. It’s a way for the grass to protect itself by reducing the area exposed to sunlight and air, which minimizes water loss.
Drought can turn your grass brown and reduce its ability to photosynthesize (create energy). Weak grass becomes susceptible to diseases, pests, and other environmental stressors.
3. Thinning and patchiness
During a drought, areas of the lawn become sparse and the grass develops irregular, brown patches throughout.
As the grass thins out, the soil underneath becomes more visible, especially in high-traffic areas. Exposed soil is vulnerable to degradation due to wind and rain erosion, making it hard for grass to grow back.
4. Slow or no grass growth
Another sign of drought stress is when grass growth slows down significantly or stops altogether. This usually means your grass has gone dormant. Grass enters dormancy to conserve energy and survive drought, but it also becomes more vulnerable to foot traffic and environmental factors.
If there’s any grass growth at all, you’ll notice shorter and fewer grass blades, giving your lawn a stunted look.
5. Weed growth
Harry Rose | Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Weeds such as crabgrass, dandelions, yellow nutsedge, and clover thrive in drought-stressed lawns. Drought weakens grass, creating openings for weeds to establish, compete for resources, and further degrade the lawn’s appearance.
Weeds often appear in the weakest areas of the lawn, such as those with heavy activity. Due to their deep roots, drought tolerance, and vigorous growth, they can thrive in hot, dry conditions. To control them, you have to invest time in manual removal or herbicides.
6. Dry, crunchy grass
Drought-stressed grass usually loses turgor pressure, the water pressure inside plant cells pushing against the cell walls. In drought conditions, water evaporates from the grass blades faster than it can be absorbed.
This causes the blades to become limp, dry, and crunchy. They may easily break when bent and emit a crunching sound when walked on, clear signs the grass is stressed from a lack of water.
7. Visible footprints on the lawn
In a drought-stressed lawn, footprints or lawn mower tracks remain visible long after they’re made. As grass becomes less elastic, it takes longer to spring back after you apply pressure.
If your footprints last longer than 10 seconds in the grass, your lawn needs more water.
8. Cracked soil
As drought attacks your lawn, the soil may become compacted and dry to the touch. Besides being hard to work with, inserting a shovel or garden fork can be tricky because the surface is hard to penetrate.
In dry and solid soil, grass roots can’t push through and expand. This state also restricts airflow, water absorption, and nutrient availability.
FAQ about signs of a drought-stressed lawn
How can I prevent drought stress in my lawn?
Drought can wreak havoc on your yard, but luckily there are ways to prevent it:
- Water deeply and infrequently to improve root growth and foster drought resistance in your grass. Consider your grass type and provide the exact amount of water it needs. Typically, this equals about 1 to 1 ½ inches of water a week, broken up into 2 or 3 30-minute watering sessions.
- Mow the lawn to the suitable height for your grass type. If unsure, cut it longer to shade the soil and preserve moisture. Short grass can become stressed and weed-infested.
- Aerate the lawn to improve root growth and reduce soil compaction.
- Enhance soil structure and moisture retention by adding organic matter, such as compost, to your lawn.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer to give your grass the nutrients to grow strong and resilient. Follow soil test recommendations to avoid over-fertilization.
- Use pre-emergent herbicides diligently to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Spot treat existing weeds with post-emergent herbicides, choosing selective products that quickly eliminate weeds without harming the grass.
Can windbreaks minimize drought damage?
Windbreaks block the wind and reduce the evaporation rate from the soil and grass. This keeps the grass hydrated for longer periods and moderates extreme temperatures, reducing heat stress.
Some examples of windbreaks include:
- Natural windbreaks: Trees, shrubs, or hedges
- Artificial windbreaks: Solid or slatted fences and portable or permanent screens made of wood, plastic, or fabric
The U.S. Department of Energy stresses the importance of proper windbreak selection, placement, and maintenance:
- Always place (or grow) windbreaks on the windy side of your property to ensure maximum protection.
- Combine tall trees with mid-sized shrubs or smaller plants to create layers and prevent wind from different heights.
- Maintain your windbreaks, especially if you want to conserve water and protect your grass. Regularly inspect, repair, clean, adjust, or replace artificial windbreaks and keep your trees, shrubs, or hedges healthy by pruning, trimming, mulching, fertilizing, and preventing diseases and pests.
How should I water my dormant grass to revive it?
Start with a deep, thorough watering to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. This will help rehydrate the grass roots and revive the grass faster.
Continue with regular deep watering, providing 1 or 1 ½ inches of water per week (including rainfall) in two to three watering sessions. Irrigate early in the morning to minimize evaporation and allow the grass to absorb moisture throughout the day.
Don’t let drought ruin your lawn
With some time and effort, you can mitigate the effects of drought on your lawn and have a stress-free summer.
If you can’t maintain your lawn during a drought, a local Lawn Love pro can do it for you. With their knowledge and tools, they can apply the right lawn treatments so your grass stays healthy despite the weather.
Main Image Credit: ImageSine | Adobe Stock | License
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