Help Your Landscape and Lawn Survive a Drought
How can I help my landscape and lawn during a drought? There are several steps you can take to assist your lawn and landscape survive moisture stresses. The top three steps are: Mulch, Mowing Height, Lower Your Inputs. Let’s explain these further.
Mulch - It is easy to add two to four inches of mulch for your landscape beds. Mulching will save moisture, prevent weeds, and cool the soil. The same goes for your lawn. Returning clippings back to the lawn will act as a mulch for the grass plants, holding in soil moisture and keeping the crowns cooler.
Mowing - Mowing less frequently during times of drought also will benefit the lawn. It is important to keep mower blades sharp. Why? Because dull blades tend to rip and tear the grass blades, creating larger openings and allowing more moisture loss.
Raising the mowing height to the tallest slot on the mower will create a “canopy effect” that benefits the lawn through increased shading. My goal is to have the grass around 3 inches tall during the hot summer months. The benefits of tall grass are reduced evaporation from the soil surface and a direct relationship between taller shoots and deeper roots.
Avoid edging lawns during drought periods. This cosmetic enhancement creates more openings in the turf blades than mowing and allows greater moisture loss.
Fertilizer, Water and Herbicide Inputs - Cut back on fertilization. Lots of fertilizer produces lots of growth, which creates lots of surface area to lose water from. Use only 1/3 the rate of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer to keep the plants alive, and not producing lots of new shoots.
Consider letting your lawn go dormant. You can still water about once a month to keep the crowns alive. The lawn may not look pretty but you are saving money on water inputs and less labor and time for mowing. You are prepared this way in case of water restrictions.
Avoid herbicide use during droughts. Simply pull the weeds or allow them to grow. They can be easily controlled when the drought is over.
Finally, what about grasshoppers during a drought? Be prepared to scout your landscape for young hoppers (nymphs). These 1/4 to ˝ inch grasshoppers can easily be controlled with insecticides in grassy borders when they are young. Continue your scouting and treat throughout the summer months when you see more than 20 per square yard.
Chris Carlson, Extension Educator, March 2003
