Tips for Watering Your Lawn During Dry Conditions

1. Water Early (or late)
   1. Optimal Timing: Water your lawn in the early morning, ideally between 6 AM and 10 AM. This reduces evaporation and ensures the water penetrates deeply into the soil. (If you can’t then later in the day is better than the hottest part of the day)
2. Water Deeply and Infrequently
   1. Encourage Deep Roots: Water your lawn thoroughly but less often, aiming for about once or twice a week. This encourages deep root growth, making your grass more drought-resistant.
   2.  Measure Water: Ensure your lawn receives about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water per week. You can use a rain gauge or place a container( a tuna can is roughly an inch)  on your lawn to measure this.
3. Use Efficient Watering Methods
   1. Sprinkler Systems: Consider using a sprinkler system with a timer to control the amount of water applied. Ensure the system delivers water evenly across your lawn.
   2. Soaker Hoses and Drip Irrigation: These methods deliver water directly to the soil, reducing evaporation and ensuring efficient water usage.
4. Avoid Overwatering
   1. Watch for Signs: Be mindful of signs of overwatering, such as water runoff, overly saturated soil, or the presence of fungi and pests. Overwatering can harm your lawn just as much as under-watering.
5. Adjust for Rainfall
   1. Monitor Weather Conditions: Adjust your watering schedule based on recent rainfall. If there’s been substantial rain, reduce your watering accordingly to avoid over-saturating the lawn.
6. Watering Techniques
   1. Spot Watering: Focus additional watering on dry patches or areas that receive more sun exposure. This helps maintain even moisture levels throughout your lawn.

Mowing Your Lawn During a Dry Spell

Mowing your lawn during a dry spell might seem counterintuitive, but regular mowing is crucial for maintaining a healthy and resilient lawn. Here’s why it’s important and how to do it effectively:

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Why You Should Mow

1. Promotes Healthy Growth
   1. Regular mowing helps maintain your lawn’s overall health by encouraging strong, even growth. This makes your lawn more resistant to drought conditions.
2. Prevents Pests and Diseases
   1. Keeping your lawn at an optimal height can help prevent pests and diseases that often take advantage of stressed, overgrown grass.
3. Enhances Moisture Retention
   1. Proper mowing techniques help your lawn retain moisture better, ensuring that it stays green and healthy even during dry periods.
4. Helps with Weed Control
   1. Weed Suppression: Regular mowing can help suppress weeds by preventing them from flowering and spreading seeds. Consistent mowing keeps your grass dense and healthy, making it more difficult for weeds to establish and compete for resources.

How to Mow During a Dry Spell

1. Raise Mower Blades
   1. Higher Cuts: Set your mower blades to a higher setting. Taller grass provides shade for the soil, reducing water evaporation and protecting the roots from the sun’s intense heat. Do not cut too short unless you are watering regularly!
2. Mow As Required
   1. Only clip the growth: Allow your grass to grow longer between mowings. This reduces stress on the grass and helps it conserve moisture. Aim to mow as needed based on growth. But it doesn’t matter if only a little is coming off, don’t be tempted to cut lower to justify more clippings. 
3. Keep Blades Sharp
   1. Clean Cuts: Ensure your mower blades are sharp to avoid tearing the grass. Clean cuts help the grass heal faster and stay healthier.
4. Follow the One-Third Rule
   1. Gradual Trimming: Avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass height at any one time. Removing too much of the blade can stress the plant, especially during dry conditions. But only if the growth requires this amount. Stick to your usual height(if not higher).

By following these tips, you can keep your lawn healthy and green during dry spells, ensuring it remains a beautiful part of your garden. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.