How to Prepare Your Lawn for Drought
If you have a beautiful, green lawn, drought is your worst enemy. Unfortunately, drought is becoming increasingly widespread throughout the U.S., and states like California have seen unprecedented dryness in recent years, which can make lawns crunchy, brown, and ugly.
The good news is that there are proactive steps you can take to prepare your lawn for drought and ensure it keeps looking beautiful, no matter what. Whether you live in a drought-prone area or you just want to be ready for anything, these five tips can help you prepare your lawn for the worst:
1. Reduce Thatch
If you want to help your lawn live through a drought, reducing thatch is a critical place to start.
What is thatch?
Thatch is the layer of dead and living stems, roots, and grass that lives between the grass blades and the soil. While some thatch is needed to keep the grass healthy, more than about a half-inch will smother it. Reduce your thatch and build-up ahead of time to help your lawn be more drought-ready.
2. Water Smarter
When it comes to watering your lawn for a drought, the best times are late at night and early in the morning. Instead of watering your lawn every day, water it infrequently and thoroughly. This will help the lawn survive dry or hot periods.
3. Raise Your Mowing Height
Cutting the grass too short during a drought will shock it and leave it vulnerable. Instead, raise your mowing height by at least 25 percent and reduce traffic on the lawn as much as possible.
4. Plant Drought-Tolerant Grass
Drought-tolerant grass requires less water than regular grass and is better equipped to withstand a dry season. Seed your lawn with varieties like Buffalo Grass for extra protection.
5. Know When to Call a Professional
If, despite your best efforts, your lawn is still looking patchy, brown, or limp, it’s time to call a professional. A professional will be able to evaluate your Texas grass variety and help you take the needed steps to ensure your lawn looks beautiful and healthy for years to come.
