With the summer heat upon us, many homeowners are finding it difficult to maintain a healthy green lawn. Of course, it’s not uncommon for landscapes to turn brown during this time of year, especially in the southern states. While there are many possible causes of this phenomenon, the most common is drought.
Like all living organisms, grass needs to water to survive. Some grass varieties are more tolerant to droughts than others, but the fact remains that all grass needs water. And with the summer heat, many homeowners are fighting to keep their lawns healthy.
Dormant or Dead?
Just because your lawn is brown doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s dead. Grass often goes into a state of dormancy during droughts, as it waits for the next rain. When dormant, the grass will likely have a brown color, but the base of the grass will remain green. This is a characteristic sign that your lawn has gone dormant. The next time it rains, however, your grass should turn back to its healthy green color.
If your grass is dead, on the other hand, the leaves will be entirely brown throughout. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to revitalize dead grass. Your only real option is to seed and fertilize it, which isn’t exactly fast. If your grass is only dormant, however, there a few things you can do to bring it back to life.
Water Regularly
I know this probably sounds like common sense, but watering your lawn regularly can keep it from drying out. Mother Nature will take care of this for you on most occasions. When there’s drought, though, your lawn may lack the necessary amount of water to sustain its health, in which case it may dry out and grow dormant.
Before watering your lawn, check to see if there are water restrictions in your city and/or county. Many municipalities have water restrictions during this time of year, and failure to comply could result in hefty fines.
Aerate
Another helpful tip to keep your lawn from drying out is to aerate it. Whether manual or powered, use an aerator to break through the surface of the soil and hydrate your grass from its root structure.
Mulch
Rather than bagging and disposing of your grass clippings, consider mulching them. Grass mulch is an excellent source of moisture. When it rains, the clippings will soak and hold moisture, helping to further moisturize your lawn.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
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