There's a lot to love about summer: the beautiful weather, the longer days, the beach visits and barbecues. But this time of year also has its dark side. Summer brings high temperatures and less rainfall, which can have a negative impact on the lush greenery of your lawn. Yes, it is normal for the grass to dry out in the summer months. If your lawn dries out from all the hours of sunshine and you notice that the grass remains flat after you walk on it, this means that your grass does not contain enough moisture. Even the healthiest lawn can become thin, colorless and develop dry patches in the summer months.
Possible causes of dry patches in your lawn
A lawn dries out in different places and not all dry spots in your grass have the same cause. Here are some common reasons why these dead spots appear.
- Exposure to heat, possibly related to pedestrian traffic and lack of water absorption (usually larger areas exposed to direct sunlight).
- Dog urine (localized and typically about 20 cm wide)
- Pest infestation (irregular shapes of varying sizes, often initially limited to a few infested areas, but can spread quickly).
What to do if your lawn dries up
The good thing about most dry spots is that they are easy to fix. You just need a few tools and products to properly treat your grass and bring it back to life.
Your grass needs aeration
The first and most important step in eliminating dry spots in yourLawn affected by heatand wear and tear is to aerate the affected area with a garden fork or a special aerator, depending on what tools you have available and the size of your lawn. Aerating the area compacts the soil, allowing nutrients and water to penetrate better. If your grass is already dry, you should not aerate it until it has been softened by deep watering.
Use wetting agents
Wetting agents support the absorption of water into the soil. After ventilating the affected area, you should apply a wetting agent such as Lawn Soaker. It's biological wetting agents that are safe for vegetable gardens, lawns and new plants, and it lasts a few months between applications, giving you long-term benefits. After applying the wetting agent, you must water the area thoroughly again. A wetting agent not only helps absorb water into the soil, but also ensures that the soil can retain water for longer.
Stimulating new growth
After your lawn has been aerated, moistened and watered, it is now time to stimulate the new growth and give it a chance to repair itself. Stimulating is best done by applying a fertilizer to the entire lawn and watering it well again. According to industry experts, the use of organic fertilizers can result in a healthier, denser and more colorful lawn that is more resistant to drought and disease.
The lawn is drying out: water it correctly
If your lawn dries out, you have to do it yourself and water it. Experts recommend watering the grass heavily no more than once or twice a week - watering too frequently can reduce the grass' drought tolerance. The best time to water is early in the morning and mid-afternoon. If the grass is watered at night, it can be susceptible to lawn diseases.
The evaporation rate is lowest in the morning, and if you water at this time,can dry the grass, before temperatures cool in the evening, which prevents fungal diseases. Repeat watering only when the surface of the soil begins to dry. In hot, dry weather, you may need to water your grass again within four or five days.
Mow the right way
You would be surprised how many people mow their lawns too short. The general thought is that mowing shorter means not mowing often. This is a sensible thought, but mowing too short is one of the worst things you can do during dry seasons and droughts. When mowing your grass in dry conditions, you should not mow more than 1/3 of the average blade length. If your grass e.g. For example, if it is about 10 cm high, do not mow more than one centimeter from the top. The clippings serve as mulch and fertilizer as they decompose and supply the soil with nutrients. The clippings may not be the most attractive feature of your lawn, but they are worth leaving because they have many benefits.
Do not step on grass
Avoid yourLawn during dry periodsto enter. Soil compaction caused by foot traffic can cause the lawn to dry out more quickly. This is a good first step to combat dry patches in the lawn.
There are some things you and your family can do to reduce the number of dry and dead patches in your lawn. This includes:
- Improving the soil before laying the turf
- Choosing a Drought-Tolerant Lawn Variety
- Proper watering. Deeper watering at shorter intervals promotes root penetration. It is best to do this at the first sign of heat or drought and then wait until the grass begins to wilt before repeating the process.
- Increase cutting height – longer lawns shade the ground more effectively, reducing evaporation and stress.
- Scarify your lawn to remove excess turf and reduce the risk of fungus growing and spreading.
