With some prepartion your lawn can stay green during a drought.
During periods of drought, homeowners may see their lawns suffer and turn brown. You can prevent many of the negative effects of drought by preparing ahead and knowing what steps to take to protect your lawn during the heat of summer. Does this Spark an idea?
Fertilizer
Do not use fertilizers on your lawn during a drought. Large quantities of fertilizer on a lawn increase the amount of water the lawn requires. Many fertilizers use multiple-step programs to treat a lawn, which can compound the problem during a drought. If you do not use as much fertilizer during the summer, the grass will grow slower, thus becoming more developed before it reaches peak size. The best time to fertilize is during the fall, so try to save the majority of fertilizing until then. This helps ensure there are nutrients for the grass to use in the spring and throughout the summer.
Mowing
Do not mow your grass too low. A general guide is to not cut more then a third of the grass blade in one mowing session. Raise your mower height one setting above your normal setting. The taller grass will make the root system develop deeper into the soil and decrease its susceptibility to drought. When you do mow, leave the clippings on the ground. Clippings help keep the soil shaded and cool. This will slow the evaporation of water from the soil.
Conserve Water
Be mindful of when you water your lawn. Water during the early morning hours from 4:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. Early watering will allow your grass to get most of the water. Watering during the heat of the day wastes most of the water because it will evaporate before the grass roots can absorb it. If water limitations are in effect, alternate the days you water your lawn.
Store Water
Have a backup plan. A rain barrel is a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to conserve water. The best way to set up a rain barrel is to place it under a down spout from your gutter. Your rain barrel will catch the maximum amount of water doing this.
Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
Use sharp blades when cutting your lawn. Mower blades should be sharpened at least twice a season. Dull blades do not cut the grass blade cleanly, and can tear your grass. The grass can use between 40 to 60 percent more water trying to recover from being torn.
Aeration
Assist your lawn's ability to receive water by aerating it. As time goes by, dead plant material and traffic on the lawn compact the soil. Compaction can make it difficult for new grass to grow through the soil and receive water. An aerator is a device that has spikes on it. You roll it across your lawn and this will puncture the soil. The holes left by the aerator act like tiny drainage holes for water to seep into the soil. Liquid aerators are also available that help loosen your soil. A more organic solution is to try using earthworms. Any bait shop should carry them.
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