Lawn Care During a Heatwave: What You Need to Know
Extended periods of hot, dry weather can take their toll on even the healthiest lawns. The good news is that brown grass doesn't necessarily mean a dead lawn, having adapted over time, brown grass is often just dormant protecting itself from the heat and lack of water.
Why does grass turn brown in a drought?
During a drought and periods of hot weather grass naturally enters a dormant state during prolonged dry periods. Growth slows down and blades turn brown to conserve moisture and protect the plant.
For most lawns, they will recover and green up once cooler temperatures and rainfall return. If your lawn is looking pale or yellow after a spell of hot weather, our Rapid Green Liquid Iron Feed can help restore a rich green colour in as little as 24 hours. Make sure to follow the application instructions and don’t apply while you're still in drought and heatwave conditions.
Should I water my lawn in a heatwave?
A healthy established lawn can usually survive short-term drought without watering. If restrictions allow, focus on newly seeded areas and freshly laid turf, which are more vulnerable to drying out. Water deeply and less frequently rather than little and often. Make sure to always check your local councils on any hosepipe bans.
Mowing during hot weather
When mowing during hot weather, make sure to raise your mower height to leave grass slightly longer. Longer grass helps shade the soil and reduce moisture loss. We would recommend avoiding cutting your grass during the hottest part of the day. As usual, make sure to never remove more than one-third of the grass height in a single mow as this can add additional stress onto the grass.
Repairing your lawn
Make sure to avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilisers to drought-stressed lawns, as this can damage the lawn and cause further damage. Once weather conditions have improved seaweed-based feeds can help support root development and recovery after periods of stress.
Read our blog on how to repair your lawn after a heatwave for more tips and tricks on getting your lawn back to health
If you have experienced damage to your lawn, September is one of the best times to repair damaged lawns, overseed thin areas, and establish new grass. Read our September lawn care diary for more information.
When cooler temperatures return, our Spring & Summer Lawn Fertiliser provides long-lasting nutrition to support healthy growth and lawn recovery.
Top tip: Don't be tempted to overreact to a brown lawn during a heatwave. Patience is often the best treatment, as many lawns recover naturally when the weather breaks
