How to grow grass in hot dry weather
5 steps to green grass, even in heatwaves |
(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny)
It is that point of the year where knowing how to grow grass in hot, dry weather climbs to the peak of every gardener's priority list. While it may seem like a seemingly simple job to grow (and maintain) and green lawn, and the perfect lawn edging, during summer (over any other season of the year) these months bring high temperatures that can dry out your lawn and hinder the growing process.
Firstly, a good lawn should be at the heart of your backyard, so start by choosing the best fast-growing grass seed to give it a strong start. Timing is also essential, so find out when to plant grass seed to ensure your lawn has the best chance of year-round success.
However, with the right garden ideas, knowing how to grow grass in hot, dry weather doesn't need to be complicated. These are the steps the experts recommend, so you can enjoy a healthy lawn all summer long.
How to grow grass in hot, dry weather – 5 steps to success
(Image credit: Polly Eltes)
'Plant growth faces great challenges in the future. Climate change has already affected agriculture, parklands, and other areas of green turf grass. Therefore, the need for robust, drought-tolerant crops and turf grasses has never been greater,' says Guy Jenkins, the Consumer Manager for Johnsons Lawn Seed .
So, how can you grow grass in hot, dry weather and keep it healthy through the heat? These garden landscaping ideas are a great place to start.
1. Pick warm-season grass
For the best chance of success, expert Jason White from All About Gardening urges you to pick up warm-season grass. 'If you are trying to grow a cold-season grass in warm weather, you are setting yourself up for failure,' he says.
He recommends Bermuda grass [such as this one on Amazon ] or St. Augustine, which is also appropriate for the hot weather. 'Ensure the seed you use is high quality,' he adds.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)
2. Water wisely
'Always water enough to at least keep the roots alive.
This will ensure grass comes back when the water comes,' Jason says. But how often should you look to water new seeds?
The team at The Grass People suggests watering new seeds twice a day on days that are particularly sunny. They also recommend testing the grass' moisture to assess its hydration levels.
'To do this, drive a screwdriver into the soil. If it can reach up to 6/7 inches deep, it's perfect – if not, keep watering,' they say.
'If you aren't watering enough and your seed is sitting on top of hard, dry soil or buried too deep beneath it – you will experience issues with germination leaving you with a very dry garden for the summer season.'
3. Only mow when needed
While it is understandable that you will want to give your best lawn mower a trial on your new grass, the experts urge you to hold fire until necessary.
'It’s important that you don’t mow until the blades are at least 5-7cm in height – close mowing or early mowing can damage new seedlings who are just trying to find their way in the world and prevent further growth,' the Grass People say.
However, with rising temperatures (and the ever-possibility of rain) it is likely that your grass will grow at a notably fast rate. 'This is thanks to the perfect growth conditions that summer brings: heat, light, and moisture,' they add.
(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny)
4. Watch your seed placement
'Make sure your seed isn't buried too deep or sitting on the surface otherwise, be prepared for it not to grow,' the Grass People team warns. Because while sunlight is essential to germinate, it also needs the combination of heat, moisture and air provided by the soil.
'When sowing new seed, you should rake the seed in so that it is around three [dollar] coins (stacked) beneath the surface; this gives it adequate space to grow and receive light while also providing protection from the element,' they add.
5. Don't opt for fertilizer
The sun is notorious for its ability to dry out your lawn; however, Guy warns against using fertilizer to fight its effects.
'Even if your lawn is in a sorry state, don't be tempted to reach for fertilizer during a drought,' he says. This counts for new grass seed or grass that may be drying out as a result of the season.
'When soil is bone dry, essential water is not present to transport the nutrients down to the roots – where it's needed. Applying some traditional fertilizers can result in scorch if put down in drought, making it even more of a false economy,' the expert says. Therefore, he urges you to stay away from fertilizers until the heatwave passes.
Megan is the News and Trends Editor at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes. As the News Editor, she often focuses on emerging microtrends, sleep and wellbeing stories, and celebrity-focused pieces. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds.
During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
How to grow grass in hot, dry weather: 6 top tips
(Image credit: Andreas von Einsiedel/Alamy Stock Photo)
If you live somewhere that's always warm or are experiencing a heatwave, our tips on how to grow grass in hot, dry weather may come in useful.
For many gardeners, a pristine lawn can instill a sense of pride – and so it should: they are a labor of love after all. But most will also know that harsh sunshine, a lack of rain, and high temperatures can make it trickier to achieve a luscious stretch of green. And if you're not equipped with the lawn care tips to deal with such climates, you can quickly end up with a dead, yellowing patch in your plot.
We're here to help, with simple advice that will keep your garden's grass looking great throughout summer.
6 tips for how to grow grass in hot, dry weather
Whatever the size and shape of your lawn, an extra bit of TLC can go a long way in keeping it looking beautiful year-round.
1. Pick a heat-tolerant type of turf
The first factor in keeping a lawn looking tip-top during hot weather is to choose a grass seed with a suitable hardiness rating.
You can get both cool-season and warm-season grass seed – the latter being more tolerant to heat. Popular varieties of warm-season grass include Bermuda grass and buffalo grass.
However, be aware that some warm-season grasses don't do so well once temperatures drop, which is where cool-season grasses thrive. Because of this, if you live somewhere where the weather shifts depending on the seasons and are planting grass seed, you can combine both cool- and warm-weather varieties for a more reliably luscious lawn all year.
If you're a fan of wildlife garden ideas, you could also try adding microclovers into your lawn seed mix, as recommended by the RHS . This will increase the lawn's drought resistance. Wildflower seeds will do the same – and both are good for welcoming pollinators to your plot.
Mixing wildflower seeds into your lawn will make it more tolerant to drought and is great for wildlife, too
(Image credit: Michael Wheatley/Alamy Stock Photo)
2. Provide plenty of water
As with most plants, it's important to keep your lawn hydrated, especially when temperatures are high.
'Ideally, you should be watering it early in the morning before the main heat of the day,' advises Carlos Real, Lawn Care Expert and Managing Director of TotalLawn .
'When watering, think about it more like soaking the soil, rather than watering the grass blades. It is very hard to over-water your lawn, so don't hold back,' he adds. Do this at least three times a week.
There is a simple test you can do to check that your lawn is hydrated enough, explains Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People .
'To do this, drive a screwdriver into the soil. If it can reach up to 6 or 7 inches deep it's perfect – if not, keep watering.'
Investing in one of the best garden sprinklers is a great approach to this as it takes out all the hard work on your behalf. You can even combine it with a timer so that it automatically activates in the morning – handy if you haven't got time to do it yourself.
A sprinkler will help keep your grass hydrated
(Image credit: Dmitrii Pridannikov/Alamy Stock Photo)
3. Mow your lawn less in hot weather
'If you can't commit to solidly watering your lawn, it's best to avoid mowing too,' says Carlos. 'That's because heat causes additional stress on the lawn, and mowing will only add to this as it tries to recover.'
If you are watering it frequently, you can continue to mow your lawn as regularly as usual, although QVC 's gardening expert Mark Lane advises keeping it on a higher setting. Investing in one of the best lawn mowers will help get the results you're after.
'Ideally, mow so that the clippings fall onto the lawn, as this will help conserve water and feed the lawn naturally,' Mark adds. Ensure you've got rid of lawn weeds first though, otherwise you risk spreading them around.
Mow your lawn on a higher setting in hot weather
(Image credit: Cultura RM Exclusive/Stephen Lux/Image Source)
4. Use a seasonal fertilizer
Fertilizing plants can encourage them to grow healthy and strong, and grass is no exception. Be sure to use a season-appropriate feed, however, as you will find both spring/summer and autumn lawn fertilizers available.
Most will require watering in to be effective, which will also reduce the risk of them burning your lawn in the hot sun. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, as over-feeding, as well as incorrect application, can also damage your grass.
Apply your fertilizer according to the instructions
(Image credit: Robin Gentry/Alamy Stock Photo)
5.
Reduce foot trafficIf your lawn is showing signs of stress in the heat, it's best to avoid walking over it unnecessarily. Doing so will only compact the dry soil, making it more difficult for the grass to soak up moisture.
Creating sturdy garden paths from A to B will provide a stylish and practical way to journey around your plot until your grass is looking strong and healthy again.
Keeping off the grass in long periods of heat and drought will help it stay healthy
(Image credit: Elizabeth Debenham/Alamy Stock Photo)
6. Keep on top of lawn maintenance all year
The best way to prepare your lawn for hot weather is to keep up a good maintenance routine all through the year. This will ensure it's in the best condition to deal with bouts of environmental stress and should bounce back easier.
Lawn care tasks include scarification and aeration, which will help the roots absorb all the water they need, as well as mowing the lawn properly and raking up leaves in the fall.
Our guides on autumn lawn care and spring lawn care have lots of useful info.
Follow a year-round lawn maintenance routine and you'll be rewarded with lusher grass
(Image credit: Andreas von Einsiedel/Alamy Stock Photo)
How can you tell if your lawn is suffering from heat stress?
Discoloration of your lawn can be a telltale sign that you should try some of our tips on how to grow grass in hot, dry weather.
According to the experts at Lawn Doctor , it can turn a grayish or darker-green tone before changing to brown. However, brown grass can also be caused by lawn grubs damaging the roots, and even dog urine (although, as our guide on how to grow grass with dogs explains, there are ways around this).
Lawn Doctor also explains that another way to tell that your lawn is suffering from the heat is if footprints stay visible on the grass for hours after walking on it.
The garden was always a big part of Holly's life growing up, as was the surrounding New Forest where she lived.
Her appreciation for the great outdoors has only grown since then. She's been an allotment keeper, a professional gardener, and a botanical illustrator – plants are her passion.
Summer lawn care - especially mowing, watering, fertilizing
With the advent of hot summer, when the temperature rises and rain becomes a rare occurrence, it is time for green lawns to be tested. During this period they need our care.
We have already written about how to take care of the lawn depending on the season. Today we will talk in detail about summer events.
Regular and competent care is the key to a beautiful lawn
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Summer lawn vegetation
Most of the soddy grasses growing on our lawns are various types of fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass, perennial chaff. They grow well at an air temperature of 18–20 °C. The higher the temperature rises, the more discomfort the plants experience. When it exceeds 30 ° C and hot dry weather sets in, the grass gradually slows down the vegetation.
If nothing is done during this period, the lawn will show more and more signs of wear, the grass will burn out and the lawn will lose its healthy appearance. nine0003
This is how the lawn reacts to heat and lack of moisture
Regular watering, timely mowing and fertilizing will help mitigate the negative effects of heat and keep the lawn green.
Watering recommendations
In summer 1 square. m of lawn evaporates an average of 4 liters of water per day, this figure rises with an increase in temperature of more than 23-25 degrees. Since the root system of the lawn goes into the ground by 15–20 cm, water supplies are quickly exhausted in hot weather, and the grass begins to suffer from a lack of moisture. The most common mistake is frequent, but short-term watering. Water does not penetrate the entire depth of the root system, and the lawn lacks moisture .
During each watering, water should penetrate to the depth of the lawn's root system - 15–20 cm.m of lawn depends on the type of soil: for loose sandy and sandy loamy soils, 10-15 liters are needed every 3-4 days, for loamy and clay soils - 15-20 liters every 6-7 days. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the weather and adjust the volume and frequency of watering depending on temperature, humidity and precipitation.
It is better to water the grass at 4-5 am or in the evening - after 22.00. You can turn on the sprinklers at night so that the water has time to soak in before sunrise and evaporate less. nine0003
Daily watering is practiced only during periods of abnormal heat - it allows you to slightly bring down the temperature. But make sure that the water is not too cold, otherwise the lawn will get burned.
Summer Lawn Mowing Rules
One of the most effective ways to keep your lawn healthy is to mow it regularly. On playing and decorative lawns, the grass is cut on average once a week, on English and parterre lawns - every 3-4 days.
Many people like to leave a mat 3-4 cm high after mowing.
For regions with warm and humid summers, this is normal. But if you are hot and dry, we recommend raising the mower blade so that the height of the grass after mowing is 6.5–7 cm. nine0003
It is undesirable to cut more than 1/3 of the grass at a time. Therefore, if it was not possible to mow the lawn in time, it is better to do it in several steps with an interval of 1-2 days.
Another important point when mowing is a sharp mower blade. Dull knives do not cut, but tear the grass, exposing it to additional stress. As a result, it will hurt and grow worse.
To ensure a quick and even cut of grass, use quality garden equipment
What to do with cut grass? Unless it's a parterre lawn, which should always look perfect, grass can be left on the lawn as mulch. Sod clippings will cover the soil, helping to retain moisture, and over time will become a soft organic top dressing. nine0003
Summer top dressing
Lawn grass should receive the main portion of fertilizer in the spring at the first top dressing and enter the summer stronger, with a good supply of nutrients in the soil.
The second top dressing is done in June. The third in August - if necessary, if the turf grows poorly, turns pale, becomes thinner.
During this period, it is best to apply targeted long-acting fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen and potassium, such as Floranid, Florovit, Etisso. The granules are coated with a hard shell that dissolves slowly and releases nutrients gradually. Usually, the action of fertilizers is enough for 2-3 months. nine0003
In order not to harm the lawn with fertilizing, remember three "do not":
- do not fertilize in the heat;
- do not fertilize a yellowed lawn;
- do not fertilize dry soil.
Feed on a cool day. Mow the grass 2-3 days before, and water well the day before.
The easiest way to fertilize your lawn is to spread the pellets over the grass and water. If using liquid fertilizer, add it to the water at the time of watering
Control of weeds and diseases
Weeds not only spoil the appearance of the green carpet, but also draw nutrients from the soil.
They need to be removed before they bloom.
There are two ways to control weeds - mechanical (weeding) and chemical (using herbicides).
Weeding can be dispensed with when there are few weeds and they are well pulled out of the soil (dandelions, plantain, bindweed). In order not to damage the turf, it is better to use a special weed puller or a small garden shovel. It is undesirable to pull out with your hands, since a piece of the root may remain in the ground and sprout again. nine0003
Spatula - a handy tool for weeding the lawn
If there are too many weeds, use herbicides. But keep in mind that they cannot be used at temperatures above 30 ° C, otherwise the grass will burn along with the weeds.
In hot and humid weather, fungal infections can appear on the grass - powdery mildew, blotch. To combat them, use fungicides, and also stop watering in the evening so that the turf dries out better.
How to restore trampled areas
In addition to watering and top dressing, aeration is required to restore the trampled area.
Punctures are made in the soil with a garden fork or with the help of an aerator, through which the flow of air, water and nutrients improves. At least 20–40 holes must be made per 1 m². Then mix lawn seeds with soil, sow in trampled places and water abundantly.
To reduce turf trampling, make walking paths in high traffic areas.
Landscaping project
lots from Sad-dizainRead more
Try not to walk on freshly cut grass - let it recover from stress and begin to grow.
An example of a lawn treadmill
As you can see, summer lawn care is simple but painstaking. But if you give it due attention, it will survive difficult times painlessly and you will admire the green velvet carpet all season long.
how to save grass from the sun
The green lawn on the site is an excellent place for relaxation, and almost every owner tries to take at least a couple of meters under the green zone.
But it happens that they began to arrange the site in the summer, when hot days came and the time for planting grass passed. In this case, there are two options left: either wait for the fall, when the temperature drops and a more favorable time for sowing comes, or sow the lawn with heat at your own peril and risk. nine0003
Naturally, not every housewife will have the patience to wait until the cold snap, because weeds will instantly settle in the empty land. Yes, this is not necessary. If you sow with certain precautions and tricks, then even the worst heat will not spoil the seedlings. How best to plant a lawn in the summer - we will consider in detail.
Contents
1 Initial Planting Stage: Preparing the Ground
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1.1 Correction of soil composition
1.2 Protecting soil from drying out
1.3 Surface leveling
2 Nuances of summer sowing: how to ensure germination?
2.
1 Time and density of sowing
2.2 Protecting grass blades from the sun
3 How to care for crops?
Soil correction
Despite the fact that all lawn grasses have a good survival rate on any soil, the soil composition still needs to be corrected. If the soil is clayey, then when digging it, add peat, sand and humus (in equal proportions), and if it is sandy, then add more dense soil, for example, forest. nine0003
Focus on how you feel: take a lump of soil in your hand and try to form a ball out of it. If it turns out very dense - the earth is heavy, it must be made lighter (dilute with sand or peat). If the ball rolls, but is loose and ready to fall apart, the soil is normal. If it is impossible to roll at all, then the soil is too crumbly and will not hold moisture.
If the land is infertile, remove it half a meter deep and dilute it with useful components - peat, humus, sand, etc., or fill it with ready-made soil
It does not hurt to apply a complex fertilizer that will speed up the germination of seeds and give them additional nutrition.
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The rest of the soil preparation is the usual: remove debris, stones, plant roots, level the site, mark the boundaries.
Protecting soil from drying out
So, the soil is loosened, cleaned and ready to receive seeds. But don't rush. In summer, under the scorching sun, the earth dries up instantly, and this harms good germination. Therefore, first of all, create protection in the earth itself from its rapid drying. To do this, remove all the soil by 30 centimeters, tamp the bottom and line it with cardboard. It can be all kinds of boxes, newspapers in several layers, etc.
Such a layer does not interfere with the circulation of air in the soil, but will retain water in the outer layers, not letting it through deeply. And the blades of grass will not lack moisture. By the way, the cardboard itself perfectly absorbs moisture, and then gradually gives it away.
So the soil will be wetter than usual. By autumn, the paper layer will rot, and this will end its function.
Surface leveling
Spread the removed soil over the cardboard and compact it with a roller, and in narrow areas with a regular short board. Lay out the board, starting from the edge of the site, and jump on it. Under the force of weight, the earth is leveled. You can involve the kids in this activity. They are happy to jump on the boards. nine0003
In order to level the ground after tamping as much as possible, walk over it with the back of the rake. They will pull off the excess, and the soil will become smooth as a knee. If small pebbles are picked out under the rake, it is better to remove them immediately, since the blades of grass at these points will still not germinate, and the turf will turn out to be uneven.
Trampling with a board is useful for areas where a bulky roller cannot turn around: between paths, in flowerbeds and winding ridges
Now you can proceed to the most crucial moment - planting seeds.
Summer sowing is enough to produce according to the norms indicated on the package with the herbal mixture. An unexpected plus of planting in the heat is the weak germination of weeds. If in spring they pour out almost in the same amount as blades of grass, then in summer (starting from the second half of July) their activity decreases sharply. And while the so-called autumn weeds hatch, the lawn has time to come into full force and suppress them.
Time and seeding density
It is better to plant the grass in the evening, so that it does not immediately begin to fry the summer sun. Sprinkle the soil well before planting.
The hotter the weather, the longer it takes to water the prepared soil so that it is saturated with moisture at least 5 cm deep
If there are still puddles on the ground (photo 1) - sow early, you need to wait until the surface absorbs all the water and slightly hardens (photo 2)
Wait until completely absorbed and spread the seeds.
If the area of \u200b\u200bthe site is small, it is better to first wake up the edges, and then the rest of the area. This will ensure that the grass is evenly distributed. nine0003
After carefully filling the edges of the plot, start sowing the entire area, focusing on the application rates indicated on the package with herbal mixture
After sowing, be sure to mulch the area with a layer of dry soil or peat. Grass should hide from the sun. After spreading the mulch, do not spill it, but leave it dry. So it is easier to roll on to the seeds and press them into the wet ground. To press down the mixture, use the same board or roller.
Sun protection for blades of grass
nine0002 In spring or autumn, these activities would be enough for the grass to give good shoots. But in summer, the temperature of the upper layers of the soil warms up so much that the hatched seeds can easily burn out. And if they manage to germinate, then all the power of the sun's rays will fall on the tender blades of grass.To save seedlings, immediately after sowing, cover the entire area with non-woven white material. It will reflect the rays and lower the temperature of the soil. And the moisture will evaporate less.
At the edges of the lawn, the material is fixed with boards, reinforcement or any other heavy objects, and if the area is large, then it is better to press down the middle. To do this, drive in pegs in the corners and pull the twine from the edges of the site (crosswise) so that it passes through the center, lowering the thread flush with the soil. The twine will press the material and prevent it from rising from the wind. nine0003
Lightweight non-woven material does not interfere with the passage of oxygen into the soil at all, but reflects a significant part of the harmful rays of the sun that sizzle tender shoots
The finished lawn should be watered daily (morning and evening), spraying water in a fine rain over the non-woven material. It will perfectly let the moisture inside and will not allow it to evaporate quickly.
By the way, in uneven areas where there is a slope in one direction, such a shelter will allow you to avoid washing out the seeds and pulling them into a low place with streams of water. Therefore, shoots will be more uniform and friendly. nine0003
The first thin blades of grass will begin to break through about a week after planting, and if the site is not covered, then the seedling time will be delayed for another week
With careful watering, the first blades of grass will appear in a week. Wait until the grass grows to 3-4 cm and only then remove the shelter. Then pull out all the weeds with your hands and mow the lawn. The first blades of grass will be thin, so it is advisable not to walk on the lawn until it gets stronger. You will see it on the powerful turf and juicy, thick greenery. nine0003
Another nuance of summer planting - do not feed young shoots with fertilizers, especially nitrogen ones. At high temperatures, they can burn the root system. Better wait until the rainy season, or don't apply at all, especially if you added fertilizer when preparing the soil.
The supply of food on fresh soil is more than enough for the grass, and excess forcing of growth weakens fragile roots and leads to freezing of certain areas in winter.
This is what a summer lawn looks like at the beginning of October - with a thick turf, a healthy juicy color, and it has a good chance of overwintering well
Grass planted in July looks fully formed already in the beginning of autumn. It winters well, freezes less often than during autumn planting. In addition, if the mixture sprouts poorly (and this also depends on the quality of the seeds!), You will have time to sow the bald spots before the onset of cold weather. But in this case, you will have to cover each restored place with non-woven material in order to ensure a normal climate for the crops, or re-cover the entire area, as you did in the case of the first sowing. nine0003
As you can see, with proper care, a beautiful lawn can be grown even in the heat.
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