Whether your lawn has Bermuda, Bluegrass, Fescue, Bahia or any other common variety of residential grass, it must receive adequate water to grow and stay healthy. Without water, grass will turn brown and die.

Normally, Mother Nature does a pretty good at watering grass, but there are times when it may be insufficient. The good news is that you can take steps to encourage a healthy, lush green lawn during droughts.

Mulch, Don’t Bag, Grass Clippings

When mowing your lawn, mulch the grass clippings back onto your landscape. Many homeowners assume bagging and disposing of their grass clippings is the best option.

If you’re experiencing a drought, however, mulching the clippings will help protect your lawn from dehydration. The mulched grass clippings will retain moisture, thus hydrating your lawn and protecting it from dehydration.

Water Early in the Day

When is the best time to water your lawn? If there’s a drought, you should water it early in the day. As the day progresses, the sun will heat up your lawn, causing water to evaporate more quickly.

By watering your lawn early in the day, moisture will soak into the soil and sit on the surface for a longer period of time. In turn, your grass will absorb more of this water, negating the otherwise harmful effects of a drought.

Aerate the Soil

Of course, aerating the soil may also help to curb the effects of a drought. Aerating, as you may already know, involves scoring the soil by punching many small holes into it.

Typically just a couple of inches deep, these holes allow the soil to absorb more water and nutrients. Rather than sitting on the surface, water will travel deep into the soil where it’s absorbed by the roots of your grass.

Don’t Walk On It

While easier said than done, try to avoid walking on your lawn during a drought. When you walk on it, the soil will flatten and become more compact. And when it’s compact, it’s not able to absorb moisture as efficiently as it should.

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