How much to water my lawn in a drought?

Thriving, healthy turf can survive extended periods without rain

There is a serious water shortage in many parts of North America and improperly growing and maintaining a home lawn can be huge burden on the water supply. In many cases, lawns are being scapegoated as water-hogging sponges that do nothing but pollute the environment and waste valuable water resources. While this may hold some accuracy, it does not have to be that way. A properly managed lawn, made up of the appropriate grass species and balanced soil, can be functional and use little or no supplemental water.

enhanced through selective breeding resulting in new and improved cultivated varieties. Drought tolerant species include not only fescues, and Buffalograss but improved varieties of fine fescues and bluegrass. A balanced soil plays a large role in the ability for grass to withstand extremes, so again, have the soil tested and go from there.

Typically a lawn would require about one inch of water per week, applied in one or two deep waterings. Drought tolerant grasses require anywhere from 3/4″ – 1/4″ of water per week. These are optimum growing conditions though and a healthy, drought tolerant lawn, grown in ideal soil conditions, will undoubtedly be able to withstand extended periods without water. In extreme drought, where no supplemental water is available, many grasses “brown out” and go dormant in a last ditch effort to not die.

Dormant grass is not dead and it will come back when it rains.

Soil Management in your Lawn

Proper soil management is key for any lawn.

Including a lawn experiencing drought conditions.

A healthy soil allows greatest opportunity for root systems to develop and grow. A deep extensive root system is what the grass plant draws it’s energy from in times of stress (drought).

Compaction, thatch, poor pH, and soil composition can all have a negative affect on soil health. Topdressing, aerating, composting, and other treatments soil can provide ideal turf growing conditions.

The composition of a soil will also determine it’s water holding. Also the capacity and ability to keep and transfer nutrients to the plant roots. A sandy soil has less nutrient and water retaining ability than a loamy soil. Thus, turf is weaker and root systems are more vulnerable to drying out in a drought stricken sandy soil.

Repeated topdressings with rich compost will aid in water and nutrient retention.

A water loving grass like Kentucky Bluegrass can survive with half the amount of water. Provided it has a healthy, extensive root system. Drought situation or not, the health of a plant is only as good as the soil it grows in. If you are unsure of the make-up of your soil, have it tested.

Water Management

The main reason lawns are the number one villain in a drought is due to the untold amounts of water used to keep it green.

Managing water consumption can reduce the amount of water needed to grow and maintain a lawn. Allowing it to survive under drought conditions.

Conventional sprinklers can be very wasteful and limiting. If left unattended or used to water hard to reach areas. An automatic irrigation system can maximize the efficiency of watering. By irrigating only the turf and not the sidewalk, driveway, or road.

Sprinkler timers can dial in the needs of any particular climate, grass species, or soil type. Allowing for accurate watering down to the minute.

When watering the lawn, it is best to mimic nature. Irrigate deep and less often to simulate natural rainfall. This will also encourage deep rooting by forcing the roots to search for water.

Light watering your lawn creates shallow rooted plants. This cause the grass to need water all the time and thus are ill prepared for a drought.

Drought Tolerant Grasses

In extreme drought many grasses “brown out” and go dormant in a last ditch effort to not die. Dormant grass is not dead and it will come back when it rains.

Drought tolerant grasses, are grasses that need less water than traditional turf species. They are capable of withstanding extended periods without watering.

In most cases, drought tolerant characteristics enhanced through selective breeding . Resulting in new and improved cultivated varieties.

A balanced soil plays a large role in the ability for grass to withstand extremes. Have the soil tested and go from there.

A lawn needs about one inch of water per week, applied in one or two deep watering. Drought tolerant grasses need anywhere from 3/4″ – 1/4″ of water per week.

A healthy, drought tolerant lawn, will be able to withstand periods without water.

Don’t Stress Your Lawn in A Drought

A lawn going through a drought is under stress.

A drought is one of those times when it’s best to not do anything to your lawn. Mow as little as possible. Mow the grass high, 3-4 inches, or the highest setting on the mower. The added leaf blade tissue aids in storing water and photosynthesis. Don’t fertilize, don’t aerate, de-thatch, or topdress.

Do not do anything to bring added stress to the plant. Including aggressive lawn activities and foot traffic.