A drought is a period of severe water scarcity that subjects a lawn to intense stress, often leading to a loss of its vibrant green color. During these dry periods, the goal shifts from promoting vigorous growth to ensuring the turfgrass survives through water conservation and preparation. A lawn’s ability to withstand prolonged dryness is determined by the condition of its soil and the depth of its root system before the dry spell begins. Successfully navigating a drought requires preparing the lawn for resilience, adjusting management practices, and understanding the recovery process.
Conditioning the Soil and Roots for Resilience
Maximizing the soil’s capacity to absorb and retain moisture is the first line of defense against dry conditions. Compacted soil restricts water infiltration, causing runoff and limiting root penetration. Core aeration, which removes small plugs of soil, alleviates this compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to move freely into the root zone. This encourages a deeper, more robust root system, better equipped to seek out moisture stored in lower soil layers.
Amending the soil with organic matter, such as compost, significantly improves its structure and water-holding ability. Organic matter acts like a sponge, increasing the soil’s capacity to retain water near the roots. This is particularly beneficial in sandy soils that drain quickly. Applying a thin layer of compost helps restore the biologically active layer of the soil, making existing water reserves more accessible to the grass.
Adjusting the mowing height is a powerful preparatory action that encourages root development. Setting the mower blade to the highest possible setting (2.5 to 4 inches) results in longer grass blades. Taller blades allow for a larger root mass and provide natural shade to the soil, reducing the rate of water evaporation. This shading keeps the soil cooler and preserves moisture content, directly contributing to the lawn’s drought tolerance.
Strategic Watering and Mowing During Dry Spells
Once a drought is established, management must focus on water conservation and optimizing its use. The most effective technique is to switch from frequent, shallow watering to a deep, infrequent schedule. Applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water per session encourages grass roots to grow downward to the depth of the moisture. Repeat this deep watering only when the lawn shows signs of stress, such as a dull, bluish-green color or when footprints remain in the grass for an extended period.
The optimal time for watering is early morning, between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m., as this minimizes water loss to evaporation before the heat of the day. Avoid watering in the evening because prolonged moisture on the grass blades can encourage fungal diseases. To ensure water penetrates deeply and avoids runoff, especially on sloped areas, use a cycle-and-soak method. This involves short bursts of watering separated by a rest period for absorption.
Mowing practices must be adjusted during active drought conditions to minimize stress on the turf. Continue to mow at the highest setting, which provides insulation and shade to the grass crowns. Fertilization, especially with high-nitrogen products, should be suspended entirely during dry periods. Nitrogen promotes lush, new growth that requires significant water, placing unnecessary strain on the plant when water is unavailable.
Managing Dormancy and Post-Drought Lawn Health
If water becomes severely restricted or initial strategies fail, the grass will enter drought-induced dormancy as a survival mechanism. The above-ground shoots will turn brown and appear dead, but the crown and root system remain alive, having shut down active growth to conserve energy. It is important to distinguish dormancy from death: dormant grass retains flexibility, while dead grass is brittle and easily pulled out of the soil.
To keep the crowns alive during extended dormancy, the turf requires minimal moisture. Providing 0.25 to 0.5 inches of water every two to four weeks is enough to sustain the plant’s essential tissues until conditions improve. Traffic on dormant grass should be avoided completely. The lack of internal water pressure makes the grass blades fragile and susceptible to physical damage that can lead to permanent death.
Once sufficient rain or irrigation returns, a gradual reintroduction of water is necessary for revival. Initially, water the lawn deeply but infrequently to encourage the roots to reactivate without overwhelming them. After the grass shows signs of greening and recovery, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can help replenish nutrients used during the survival period. If bare patches remain, overseeding with a drought-tolerant grass blend in the early fall will help restore the lawn’s density.