Make Grass Green
A drought can be one of the most discouraging environmental hazards for homeowners, especially for those of us who meticulously care for our lawns. Watering restrictions and stipulations can prevent us from giving our grass the water we know it desperately needs. But as depressing as those brown blades look, don’t be fooled into thinking your lawn is dead. There is hope to make your grass green again after a drought! Here’s how.
Prepare before the drought.
Particularly living in a warm climate like Alabama, you should expect a drought and proactively prepare your lawn accordingly. You can do this by caring for it well during the spring and fall months. Mow and water on a weekly basis during the summer, and spread mulch or clippings so that your lawn absorbs as many nutrients as possible to help make your grass green.
Maintain during the drought.
Don’t think that just because there’s a drought you have to let your lawn suffer and hope for the best. Even though you may not be able to water as often as you’d like, you can still mow regularly. For best results, stick to a higher cut during drought. You can also maximize the moisture that is reaching your soil by aerating (essentially poking holes in your lawn) and not walking on your lawn. Compact dirt doesn’t absorb moisture very effectively.
Repair after the drought.
Once the drought is over, water your lawn generously. Be sure to do it before 8 a.m. so that the soil will soak up as much of the water as possible. The later you water, the more you risk it evaporating before it does your lawn any good. Don’t forget to mow (3 inches), fertilize, and spot kill weeds. Talk to a lawn care professional about the types of fertilizer and weed killing methods that would be best for your lawn. You don’t want to over-do it, as too much of a good thing can actually do more harm than good.