Droughts are an unfortunate occurrence in our area, and they are becoming more common. But, just because it’s dry, it doesn’t mean your lawn has to suffer. There’s a lot you can do to give your lawn a fighting chance when the rain dries up.
Why Some Lawns Fair Better in a Drought
Jason Lines, Giroud Lawncare Manager, breaks down all the reasons why lawns react differently in a drought:
- South facing lawns tend to feel the brunt of the summer heat and light. “Oftentimes, lawns on one side of a street will be dry and brittle, but the lawns right across the street will look a lot greener! A south-facing lawn is under attack from the sun for much longer periods of the day, and they suffer from higher levels of heat stress.”
- “Aerating every year is important!” explains Jason. “Too much thatch means water just can’t get down to the roots. Aerating breaks up that compacted soil and allows water to flow down.”
- “How you water matters as well,” he says. “Water only in the early morning or in the evening. Water deeply for about 20 minutes every other day. If you let your soil dry out, it can become “hydrophobic”, which means the water will just roll off the soil and never reach the roots.”
- Don’t overwater either. Jason explains that you can inadvertently train your grass to become used to thriving on a large amount of water. Then, when a drought hits, your grass goes into shock.”