Summer heat and dry conditions can take a serious toll on your lawn, leaving it brown, brittle, and struggling to thrive. While Worth, Illinois may experience its fair share of hot, dry spells, you don’t have to let your lawn suffer. With the right strategies, you can keep your grass green, lush, and healthy, even during extended periods of drought. Here are five expert tips from Evolution Outdoor Living to help prevent your lawn from drying out.
1. Water Wisely and Deeply
Optimize Your Watering Schedule
It may seem counterintuitive, but watering more often isn’t always the best way to keep your lawn hydrated during dry conditions. Instead, focus on watering deeply and less frequently. By doing so, you encourage deeper root growth, which allows your grass to access moisture from deeper in the soil.
Tip: Water your lawn early in the morning, typically between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., to minimize water loss due to evaporation. Deep watering twice a week is better than a light daily sprinkle.
Invest in Irrigation Systems
If you want to ensure your lawn receives the right amount of water during dry spells, consider installing an automatic irrigation system. These systems can be set to water your lawn at the optimal time, ensuring even distribution without wasting water. Evolution Outdoor Living can help you design and install an irrigation system tailored to your lawn’s specific needs.
2. Mow High, Not Low
Raise Your Mower Blades
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to protect your lawn during dry conditions is to raise the height of your mower blades. Cutting your grass too short can stress your lawn, making it more vulnerable to heat and dehydration. Taller grass shades the soil, helping it retain moisture and promoting deeper root growth.
Tip: Keep your grass at a height of about 3 to 4 inches during dry spells. This added height will provide more shade for the soil, keeping the roots cooler and more hydrated.
3. Use Mulching Mowers
Recycle Nutrients and Retain Moisture
Instead of bagging up your grass clippings after mowing, use a mulching mower to recycle those clippings back into your lawn. Mulching mowers chop the grass into fine pieces, which break down and return nutrients to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. Additionally, the clippings create a protective layer over the soil, reducing evaporation and helping your lawn retain moisture.
Tip: Make sure your lawnmower is equipped with a mulching blade, or ask the team at Evolution Outdoor Living about mulching options for your lawn care routine.
4. Aerate Your Lawn
Improve Soil Health and Water Absorption
Dry conditions often cause soil to compact, making it difficult for water to penetrate to the roots. Lawn aeration helps alleviate this problem by creating small holes in the soil, allowing water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the root system more effectively. Aerating your lawn before or during a dry spell can significantly improve its ability to withstand drought.
Tip: Aerate your lawn in the early spring or fall for the best results. If you’re unsure how to aerate your lawn, professional services from Evolution Outdoor Living can take care of it for you.
5. Apply a Layer of Organic Mulch
Protect the Soil and Roots
Mulching isn’t just for garden beds—applying a layer of organic mulch around the edges of your lawn or in any thin patches can help reduce evaporation and keep the soil moist. Mulch acts as an insulator, protecting your lawn’s root system from heat while also improving soil structure over time.
Tip: Use organic mulch materials like shredded bark, wood chips, or straw. Spread a layer of mulch about 2 to 3 inches thick to ensure good coverage without smothering the grass.
Keep Your Lawn Lush with Evolution Outdoor Living
Dry conditions don’t have to spell disaster for your lawn. By watering deeply, mowing properly, and maintaining healthy soil, you can keep your lawn green and thriving even during periods of heat and drought. At Evolution Outdoor Living, we specialize in helping homeowners in Worth, Illinois, maintain beautiful outdoor spaces with expert solutions.
Need professional help to keep your lawn looking its best? Contact Evolution Outdoor Living today to schedule a consultation and let us create a customized lawn care plan that will keep your lawn lush and resilient year-round.