Does anyone else in Northern Virginia feel like their lawns are extra crispy this summer? In Loudoun County, June 2024 was the second driest on record in 130 years of tracking, with a rain deficit of nearly 3 inches for the month. Our mid-summer drought has led to brown, dry grass. In our region, the scorching heat of July and August can mean crunchy brown lawns and challenging conditions for young trees and shrubs. But with the right strategies, your lawn can survive and thrive in dry spells. We can also take several steps in the fall to refresh and renew your lawn. Let’s look at some of the best ways to summer-proof your lawn and landscape.
Should I Mow My Lawn During A Drought?
A drought is an extended period without rain, leading to unusually dry weather. In the Mid-Atlantic, we’re lucky compared with other areas where drought conditions and water shortages are the norm. However, drought does occur in our region, so it pays to be prepared. We can take several steps to drought-proof our lawns, including changing how we mow.
Clients sometimes think they need to stop mowing during dry weather. We don’t recommend a complete stop. However, you should change how you mow to meet your lawn’s needs. When the weather is dry, cut your grass higher, leaving three to four inches to help root growth. The natural mulch from recycling grass clippings also helps protect your grass from the sun’s heat and preserve moisture. Make sure your mower blades are well-sharpened: sharp blades prevent pulling and tearing that can damage your grass.
Should I Water My Lawn During A Drought?
If your community is not implementing water restrictions, watering your lawn is an excellent way to keep plants healthy. Water in the early morning or evening to slow evaporation. Timed sprinklers set for early or late in the day are an excellent choice. We recommend spending 10 to 15 minutes on each part of your lawn. Don’t overwater as it can damage the grass roots.
Is My Lawn Dead? Will It Come Back To Life?
During a drought, your grass may go dormant and turn brown. The good news is that it’s not dead, just sleeping. Going dormant is one way your grass protects itself from the heat. There are several ways you can help revive your lawn after the dog days of summer have passed. Fall treatment can help restore and protect your lawn against future drought conditions.
“In some cases, as the drought continues, your turf may die,” says a lawn care expert at Epling Landscaping & Lawn Service. “Fall aeration and overseeding are crucial to filling in these bare areas. If we don’t overseed, the bare areas will remain bare, and you’ll see an influx of weeds. Fall topdressing is also important as it assists in future moisture retention to help turf survive the following summer’s drought. The addition of compost to the soil provides incredible benefits in not only moisture retention but also the general health of the soil, density of the overall lawn and weed suppression.”
What Happens If I Don’t Water My Shrubs and Trees In A Drought?
Clients often worry about beloved and valuable trees and shrubs during drought conditions. Dry weather can lead to wilting and scorched leaves with brown-tinged edges, and trees and shrubs may lose their leaves. Severe drought conditions can lead to long-term problems, including stunted growth or limb dieback, where leaves on individual branches turn yellow or stop emerging. In extreme cases, your trees and shrubs can die. We give extra TLC to newly planted trees that need to establish their roots. A new tree needs 2 or 3 gallons of water daily during a drought, while established trees need 10 to 15 gallons per week during drought conditions. Mulch rings around trees and shrubs can help retain moisture and protect trees during dry periods. Check out last month’s post on mulch rings for details.
How Can My Lawn Care Company Keep My Summer Lawn Healthy?
Professional landscapers view spring and early summer as the crazy growth season. Later in the summer, our focus turns to skillful mowing to protect your lawns and strategies to preserve shrubs, trees and other expensive landscaping elements. At Epling Landscaping & Lawn Services, we practice healthy mowing with conservative yet consistent care during the hot summer months. We continue our weekly mows at longer lengths as temperatures rise and adjust schedules as needed during droughts. We also work with clients to protect trees and shrubs, starting with spring mulching and moving forward with just the right amount of watering to help your precious plants survive and thrive.
