What Should You Do If Your Lawn Is Always Dry (Helpful Tips)

When your lawn is dry, you should take time to analyze the quality of the soil and the amount of water you give it. This will help you determine if it’s due to the change in seasons or an underlying fungal problem. Through this guide, we’ll help you find ways to fix your dry lawn to remain healthy for the long term. 

 

What Should You Do If Your Lawn Is Always Dry

 If your grass is experiencing a long-term drought, get an expandable hose and apply 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) of water every 15-20 days. If you’re trying to get green grass, you’ll have to apply at least 1 inch (2.54 cm) a week. This will take around 2 hours of full sprinkler usage to see results. 

 

If you don’t have time to water your lawn, then you should wait until the next rainy season to see if your grass will turn green. You will have to wait for the temperature to decrease to get the best results. 

 

Sometimes, trying to water your lawn when there is a water shortage will only make matters worse. Why? Because while your grass needs a sufficient amount of water to remain healthy, excessive watering will only cause the poor soil to grow. 

 

To make your gardening life easier, just allow nature to do its work. For example, rainwater is the best natural solution for your lawn. You should only water your lawn when there is a long-term drought and no moisture within months. 

Get a Rain Gauge

An excessive amount of rain can potentially drown your plants. That’s why a rain gauge is an essential tool for gardeners with dry lawns. Without it, you’ll have a harder time finding out how much water is in your grass and plants. 

 

For example, if you don’t know how much water your lawn receives after rain or thunderstorm, having a rain gauge helps you determine how much precipitation your lawn receives.

 

In addition, when using this device, you can see how much water has affected your grass sprinkler system. Based on the rainfall, you’ll have to adjust the sprinkler controller to give your plants enough water to help them grow.

Use Lawn Fertilizer

If your lawn is always dry, chances are you’re not adding fertilizer to your grass. With the help of fertilizer, you can give your grass the ability to grow and make it less dry. 

 

Sometimes you can use the right liquid lawn fertilizer to revitalize your lawn. It is important because this lawn fertilizer has a watering agent that helps the water penetrate through the root system. 

 

Also, it can improve your yard soil’s ability to hold humidity around the grassroots. As a result, it will make it easier for your grass to intake nutrients, giving it the resources needed for it to grow. 

Avoid Frequently 

Remember, your lawn grass is sensitive to the amount of water you feed it. Giving it too much water will lead it to drown. You should be cautious about how often you do it for optimal results.

 

It is better to water your lawn a few times a week instead of light watering daily. While you can water your lawn lightly, your roots will become shallow, and your lawn won’t have that healthy appearance you’re looking for. 

 

If you want the best solution, use a drip irrigation system during the summer. Alternatively, you can use a hose timer. Switch on the timer at certain times to ensure that your lawn receives enough water, and you’ll be able to experience healthy grass during the summer. 

Use Water At Certain Times 

The best time to water your lawn is during the early morning or evening. That’s because you’re giving your grass enough time to dry naturally. You’ll give your grass enough time to grow before the temperature becomes too hot. 

 

However, you should not water the lawn at noon. The sun will make your grass appear weak and can burn grass. However, if you water the grass during the night when the grass temperature is low, your soil won’t have enough time to dry.

 

Pick the Right Grass Type

Selecting the right grass type is important for the longevity of your lawn. If you’re wondering what you should do if your lawn is always dry, finding the correct type of grass will save you trouble in the long run. 

 

To do so, pick the grass type based on your environment. For instance, if you live in the Mediterranian regions, you should use St. Augustine, Bermudagrass, and Kentucky Bluegrass. 

Reasons Why Your Lawn Is Always Dry

Circles Appearing On The Grass

Your grass could appear dry because of mysterious grass circles spread throughout it. This is a sign that fungus is occurring in the soil. Or, you might notice mushrooms appearing in the soil. 

 

The fungal marks in the soil will make the grass appear greener than in other areas. That’s because the decay gives more nutrients to your soil and adds to its moisture levels. 

 

As the fungus develops within the soil, it will start to the nutrients and minerals away from your grassroots. Watering the grass at night is dangerous to your lawn. Doing so will make a microclimate and cause the grass to have more fungal infections. 

 

To fix this situation, add fungicide to your lawn. Make sure that you apply it to the specific area of your lawn and not through the entire area. This ensures that the fungicide will work while reducing the extra toxins in your grass. 

 

 

 

Wilting Grass

If you notice any signs of brown grass, chances are your lawn is starting to become dry. Your lawn is telling you that it needs to be watered deeply. Some yards contain a mixture of grass types in one area, so one section might become brown before the others. The brown lawn blades mixed with the green blades indicate that your lawn is experiencing drought damage.

 

To fix this, you’ll need to check the amount of soil moisture that’s on your lawn. To do this, grab a screwdriver and drag it to the ground. If you notice that the soil is dry, you’ll need to add more water for an extended time so the water can penetrate through the soil.

 

Water your lawn infrequently, but always do it for longer periods so the roots can go deeper. For optimal results, it’s best to deeply water your lawn 2-3 times a week instead of light amounts seven days a week. 

 

The best time to water the lawn is during 5-9 AM. In cool temperatures. That’s because the grass can absorb the nutrients and still have time throughout the day to dry off. Watering your grass at night might sound like a good idea, but you’re exposing your grass to fungi and diseases. 

Lawn Shows Signs of Dark-Green, Yellow, and Brown Strips

 

Your lawn will also become dry due to an uneven application of fertilizer. If certain areas have a green appearance, that’s because they have an adequate amount of fertilizer attached to it. The lawn will appear yellow or pale-green if the grass doesn’t receive an ample amount of fertilizer. Lastly, brown spots are a direct indicator that your grass is overfertilized and will potentially die off. 

 

To solve this, water the lawn frequently enough so the grass can grow. Make sure you don’t use too much fertilizer; else, you’ll complicate the problem. Instead, you’ll want to wait for the fall and add a winterizing fertilizer so the grass will be fertile and ready for the next season. 

Get a spreader and apply it evenly through the lawn. Make sure that it has the proper spread rate to ensure that the fertilizer doesn’t cause problems with the grass. 

If you notice the burned areas of the grass failing to grow back, you’ll need to re-sod the soil. 

The Grass Appears Matted Down

If your grass is matted down, it can be a sign of dryness or an underlying fungus problem. People who grow lawns in dry or damp areas might experience a fungal infection if it’s not taken care of. 

 

To solve this, examine the grass blades to see if the issue is dryness, fungus, or something else. If you notice any dead spots on the grass, take time to look at the grass adjacent to that area to diagnose the problem. Chances are you’ll notice discoloration, lines, or spots alongside the grass. With fungus, it has a spider-web-like appearance making it easier to see.

How to Care for Your Lawn in Dry Conditions

If your lawn is currently dry, a few solutions will bring it back to life.

  1. Aerate the Soil and Include a Watering Agent
  2. Replace the turf and soil in the affected areas.

In this section, we’ll give you a few pointers on caring for your lawn. That way, you can find the tools needed to protect it from dryness and other issues. 

Aerate the Soil

First, start by removing the excess thatch that’s on your lawn. You will have to scarify the lawn deeply if the soil is water-resistant. By removing the thatch, you’ll remove the fungi that made the soil hydrophobic in the first place. This will help make the soil recover faster. 

Next, you’ll want to spike the affected areas of your lawn and use a garden fork to add depth by 3-4 inches. Lastly, use a wetting agent to help improve the soil’s quality. 

How Do Wetting Agents Work?

Wetting agents work by breaking the soil’s surface tension, making it easier for the soil to absorb water. The water drops will spread faster and can easily penetrate through the soil’s profile. 

Usually, you’ll have to reapply the wetting agent monthly for 3-5 months before the grass shows signs of recovery. If you want faster results, you’ll have to replace the turf and soil. 

Replacing Turf and Soil

  • Alternatively, you can replace the turf and soil that’s on your lawn. Remove any turf that’s been affected and 3-4 inches of good turf surrounding it. Removing the extra inches will reduce the chances of future fungal infections happening on your lawn. 
  • Next, dig out an area of 20 cm of the soil. Only dig 30 cm if you can dig deeper without affecting the plants within your lawn. 
  • Replace the previous soil with high-quality topsoil or re-seed the lawn’s area. Match the seed or turf to your existing lawn for the best aesthetic results. Having one patch of lawn that’s different from the rest might ruin the aesthetic value and make it appear awkward.   

Monitor Your Lawn Watering 

  • When caring for your lawn, it’s best not to overwater it. If you live in a dry environment and constantly water your lawn, you’re not giving it the time it needs to grow. 
  • If you water your lawn during the morning, you’re increasing the amount of water it can accept. If this occurs, then your lawn won’t be able to adjust to the hot weather and won’t develop deep roots in the ground. 
  • When the grass is unwatered, the roots will become shallow if they are near the ground’s surface. If your lawn doesn’t have sufficient water, the roots will die quickly, leading to long-term issues within your yard. 
  • Also, the amount of water you place on the plants will evaporate before it touches the soil. This is a loss of water for your lawn, and you’ll save money using hoses and sprinklers effectively. 
  • For optimal results, water your lawn during the coolest parts of the day. This will allow the water to remain ingrained in the soil, and your plants will grow after weeks of proper watering. 

F.A.Q

Will Watering Dead Grass Bring It Back?

Unfortunately, watering dead grass won’t bring it back. That’s because the grass has already lost its nutrients and is unable to regain its green appearance. If your grass is currently dead, the best thing you can do is add sod to the area to help it grow back.

When your grass dies, the best thing you can do is remove it from the lawn before applying new grass. In addition, find the cause of the dying grass before adding the sod. 

Speak to a professional about the current state of your lawn to test your soil. This will let you know if the soil dryness is due to fungi, pests, or improper lawn care.

Can Dry Grass Be Saved?

Yes, you can save dry grass as long as the grass is in its dormant state. When dormant, the grass will show small brown spots throughout your lawn. To save it, make sure that you water it within a reasonable time. 

How Long Does It Take For Dry Grass To Turn Green?

On average, it will take up to 2-4 weeks for dry grass to become green. During that time, the roots form a strong connection with the soil and change their color from light brown to green. To get optimal results, always check the soil and give your grass enough water for it to leave its dry state. 

How Do I Green Up My Lawn In The Spring?

Your lawn is more likely to grow in the spring if proper lawn maintenance is practiced. You can green up your lawn by applying composts, using low nitrogen fertilizer, and mowing large grass blades. Thus, you’ll notice a clear green lawn in the spring that’s protected from pests, fungi, and dryness. 

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