When drought conditions hit, your lawn feels it first. Without adequate moisture, grass blades struggle to stay green, resilient, and healthy. While some varieties can go dormant and bounce back when rain returns, prolonged dryness can cause lasting damage.
Lawn care is a year round effort, so if you experience dry spells, learn how to prepare for the effects of droughts, and put actions into place to prevent a brown lawn.
Signs Your Lawn is Struggling During a Drought
Grass struggling with drought stress will first fade from green to a dull blue-gray before becoming thinning yellow or brown patches. A simple footprint test—where imprints linger instead of bouncing back—can indicate dehydration.
While some grass goes dormant during dry conditions to conserve energy while staying alive beneath the surface, dead grass pulls up easily with dry, brittle roots and won’t recover after rain.
Catching drought stress early is important. Prolonged water shortage weakens the lawn, making it more vulnerable to weeds, fungi, and compaction.
Steps to Revive Your Lawn After a Drought
Improve Your Watering Techniques
- An irrigation system that provides infrequent deep watering (1-1.5 inches of water per week) will encourage deep root growth. We like a smart irrigation system that can automatically manage water usage for homeowners.
- Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation and limit opportunity for fungal lawn diseases.
- Avoid shallow watering (even if done frequently) as it weakens grass roots, making drought stress worse.
Aerating the Soil for Better Water Absorption
- Drought-compacted soil repels water, making it harder for roots to access moisture.
- Use a core aerator to loosen the soil and improve water penetration.
- Use a dethatcher to remove debris from the soil surface.
Use Fertilizers and Soil Amendments to Promote Regrowth
- Apply compost or organic matter to boost soil health and water retention.
- Skip high-nitrogen fertilizers as these encourage top growth but can stress roots.
- Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer that supports root recovery without overwhelming stressed grass.
Reseeding or Overseeding Thin or Dead Patches
- Wait until the dry weather conditions have passed.
- Choose drought-tolerant grass seed for future resilience.
- Keep the soil moist after seeding to encourage germination.
- Avoid mowing too soon—let new grass establish itself before cutting.
Proactive Lawn Care Tips for Future Droughts
- Choosing a drought-resistant grass species helps conserve water and improve resilience. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and Buffalo grass thrive in heat, while cool-season options such as Tall fescue or Perennial ryegrass handle drought better in cooler regions.
- Set the lawn mower blades at 3-4 inches to reduce evaporation and leave clippings to retain soil moisture.
- Install a rain barrel to store runoff for efficient watering during dry periods.
- Improve poor soil with compost and aerate areas with heavy foot traffic to improve water retention and root health. A healthy lawn with deep roots will recover better after periods of drought stress.
FAQ
How long can grass survive without water?
Most lawns can survive 3-4 weeks without water before showing signs of dormancy. Some grass varieties can last longer before experiencing signs of stress, but after about 6 weeks without moisture, permanent damage may occur.
Should I fertilize my lawn during a drought?
No, you should not fertilize a dry lawn. The solution is mention to force active growth which can stress your lawn further when it is already experiencing a lack of water. Wait until the dry, hot weather subsides, then apply a balanced fertilizer to aid recovery.
Is it better to let my lawn go dormant or water it lightly?
Letting your lawn go dormant is often the best option if watering restrictions are in place. Remember, you can always reseed a dead lawn later. Light, frequent watering isn’t beneficial—deep, infrequent watering is more effective when possible.
