How to Care Your Lawn in Dry Conditions?
Dry conditions are an enemy to any lawn. It denies the lawn rainwater which is the best for growing grass. While we can be able to predict the conditions in summer, sometimes the weather becomes too hot. Depending on which part of the US you live in, dry conditions can be a real nightmare and can easily dry off your lush lawn. The dry conditions may only be temporary but can’t afford to take any chances in the management of your lawn.
Dry weather causes too much evaporation and hit the grass so hard that within a few days of direct sunlight, the grass may start to dry up. You may think that watering the grass during dry weather is the only thing that you have to do to keep it alive but the reality is that you must do more.
1. Watering
It is tempting to think that when the weather is so hot outside, we should water our lawn more to compensate for the evaporation and the hot weather. However, the reality is that applying too much water during the dry conditions only create problems for your lawn if the situation continues. The grass and soil get used to the water and become dependent on it such that the grass does not adapt to the climatic conditions in the area.
In addition, most of the water that you pour ends up evaporating. You may minimize the evaporation by watering the grass just before dusk since the sun will have set.
The best way to water is to give optimum amounts (not too little and not too much). This way, the grass will adapt to the dry conditions and will retain the water. Plants are just similar to human beings or any other living creature and they know the act of survival and adaptation.
2. Avoid too much activity on the grass
The lawn is fragile during the dry conditions and you should therefore avoid having too much going on in your lawn. Since the grass is weak, it can easily die off if there is too much activity being done on the lawn. Avoid stepping on it too much or having kids playing on it, riding their bicycles etc.
3. Mowing
You should mow your lawn carefully ensuring that you do not cut the grass too much. Cutting the grass too much can make it weaken to a point where it may succumb to the effects of the dry weather. You should make sure that you mowing machine is well set to cut the grass to the required size.
4. Aeration
In dry weather, you can spruce up the lawn by creating small holes using an aerator machine to increase the flow of air and water. The process can be done simultaneously during mowing to avoid a lot of activity on the grass. The small holes are plunged randomly to reduce the chances of your grass dying out due to lack of nutrients.
5. Don’t over cut
Don’t fall for the temptation to cut your grass too much. Cutting the grass too much causes it to lack the ability to produce energy for growth back to its former state. It will have reduced leaf to support the root system and can stunt its revitalization progress.
6. Pest Control
Lawn diseases and pests are more prone to attack grass in dry conditions because such conditions are favorable for their existence. Pests such as armyworms, fleas and diseases such as mildew and brown patch are likely to attack at this time. The best management for these is to apply fungicides so that they clear off.
7. Retain Clippings
When you mow, do not remove the clippings that fall of the grass because they act as mulch for your grass. They help in reducing evaporation since they cover the ground and reduce the direct sunlight from getting to the grass.
Conclusion
Lawn management during dry conditions may pose a challenge to you but with the processes and tips noted above it can be managed. The most important thing is to keep it from drying up and take advantage of the rains when the time comes. Your lawn does not have to suffer because of a temporary condition that will soon come to pass.
You love your lawn and it can be painful to watch it wither away. If your lawn has suffered irreparable damage due to the dry weather, you can invite a lawn professional to help you out.
