Dealing with drought stressed lawns 08-27-07

Dealing with drought stressed lawns

Many lawns across the state have been under drought stress much of the summer. There were several steps we could have taken prior to the onset of drought that could have helped the turf handle the present stress more effectively, but hindsight is useless at this point. However, we can still help our lawns endure their present drought stress and recover once the drought breaks.

If adequate irrigation is available continue to provide about an inch of water per week to the lawn. Areas near buildings, or other heat reflecting surfaces, may need additional water. Raise the mowing height twenty-five percent or more. Limit traffic. If irrigation water is restricted eliminate all traffic on the lawn and apply water to only those areas that are most important to you. Accept the fact that unwatered portions of the lawn will be dormant and brown until the drought is over.

A good soaking rain, or a deep watering, will restore soil moisture as well as clean the leaves, rehydrate the grass’s dormant buds, and initiate root growth. Apply a balanced fertilizer a week or two later to get the turf healthy. Once the grass is growing strong you may consider applying a herbicide to control any weeds that encroached during the drought.

If your lawn has suffered severely from this summer’s drought some predrought maintenance should be in your lawn care plans for next year. Start by taking a soil sample to correct any pH or nutrient deficiencies. Increase potassium fertilizer to help with turf stress. Reduce thatch and compaction problems that weaken turf rooting. Schedule early morning watering regimes that water deeply and less frequently. Mow often enough to remove no more than one-third of the leaf surface at a single mowing and keep the mower blades sharp.

Published August 27, 2007

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu