Garden struggle: Tips to revive drought-stricken lawns

In recent days, a heatwave has passed through the US. There's no indication that this will change soon. This state affects the appearance and condition of the lawn. How can you save dried-out grass? Try one of the proven methods below.

Soft, dense, and well-maintained lawns are a real decoration for any garden. However, they require a lot of work and effort, including watering, fertilizing, mowing, and draining. Prolonged drought can undermine all our efforts. After just a few days of intense sun, the grass turns yellow, and the blades become visibly dried out.

How to save a dry lawn? Merely watering it won't be sufficient. Stronger measures are needed. Try one of the proven methods, and after a few days, you'll see that the grass gradually regains its color.

"Drought is one of the most severe and extreme natural phenomena impacting society, the environment, and the economy," informs gov.pl. There are four types of drought: atmospheric, agricultural, hydrological, and hydrogeological.

In recent weeks, we have been dealing with atmospheric drought. The lack of rainfall affects the condition of plants, including lawns. Green and soft blades turn into dry, yellow, and hard strands. To save a dry lawn, start by thoroughly cleaning the lawn. Use a rake to get rid of the dry blades. After cleaning it from dead grass residues, start watering.

During a drought, this should be done every other day, using a large amount of water. Watering should take place in the late afternoon or evening to prevent the water from evaporating quickly and to allow the blades to regenerate.

Dried-out grass requires deep regeneration. To this end, fertilizer with a high nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content should be used. You can use ready-made fertilizer, such as compost. However, a ready-made lawn concentrate will be better if the blades are highly damaged. You can buy it at any garden store.

Once the grass has dried, start mowing. Shorten the lawn by one-third the length of the blades. Are there dry patches on the lawn? That’s a sign that more grass needs to be seeded. Spread the seeds in the thinned areas and distribute them with a rake, then water them with a small amount.

If none of the described methods work, perform lawn aeration. This simple procedure involves puncturing the turf with a fork or aerator. Aeration allows more oxygen to reach the soil, making it more fertile and better at absorbing nutrients from water or fertilizers. After a few days, you will notice that the lawn looks much better and gradually regains its colour.