Lawn Maintenance During A Drought: Tips for Healthier Lawns

It is possible to return your grass to its state of green health, even if you’re already asking “How can I get my grass green again?” Here’s how to get greener grass when drought poses a threat to your lawn:

• Minimize damage. Don’t mow drought-stressed grass, and walk on it as little as possible. Your grass isn’t growing when it’s fighting over-dryness, and the cellular structure of the leaf is more likely to collapse without adequate water to support it. Long-term or permanent damage can occur when the leaf structure is damaged during drought. Avoid the temptation to “mow high” and cut off tall weeds that may be outcompeting your turf until the grass has returned to health.
• Water. If your lawn is wilting or showing discoloration, water now. If your lawn has not begun to go dormant, you should see green coloration with regular watering. If the grasses are already going dormant, yellow or tan coloration will remain. In that case, water lightly and regularly—at least ½ inch of water every 7 to 14 days. Light watering will help keep plants alive and assist recovery later in the plants’ life cycle.
• Have thatch professionally removed. If you notice drought signs this summer, check for thatch—the buildup of mown grass between the surface and good soil, or woven around and in between living leaf blades at the surface. Heavy thatch can make your grasses more prone to drought stress when grass roots are in thatch instead of fertile soil. Thatch is like a sponge—it absorbs moisture but dries quickly, leaving grasses prone to drying even after rain. Consult an expert to discuss the proper time and method of thatch removal to ensure a healthier lawn next season.
• Don’t mow a healthy lawn too short. If you’re just beginning to see signs of stress, make sure you’re mowing high enough for your grasses’ recommended growth. Mowing too close can result in a shallow root system, increasing chances of drought stress. It’s an easy problem to fix if you catch it early.

The TruGreen PhD-certified specialists’ years of experience and science-based solutions can help you target your yard’s individual problems when you need to know exactly how to get your grass green.

TruGreen’s targeted solutions include treatments specially designed to help drought-stressed lawns. Once you sign up for a TruGreen lawn plan, a TruExpertSM Certified Specialist conducts a Healthy Lawn Analysis®. This examination might determine that your yard is suffering from drought. If so, your plan will be further tailored to manage the hazards of too little moisture.

With TruGreen’s Healthy Lawn Guarantee® on your side, you’ll know TruGreen specialists will work with you to create an irrigation plan and even make extra visits to be certain your grass is thriving—even in dry conditions. To learn more about the TruGreen Healthy Lawn Guarantee and tailored plan options, call 866.688.6722 or visit them online at TruGreen.com.