Repairing dry grass in a brown lawn after a hot summer
It seems that we are experiencing more and more extremely hot spells in the UK and while it might be good news for some, it’s usually a major problem for our lawns.
Whether your grass is burned, dry or just a bit brown, there are a number of things you can do to repair, revive and rejuvenate your lawn.
Here are our top tips for lawn repair.
Dormant or Dead Lawn?
It is natural for grass to go into a dormant state during a heatwave which acts as a plant shut down safety mechanism - dormant grass will then start to grow again once a prolonged period of rain returns.
It is not always straightforward to determine whether the grass is dead or dormant as they will look similar. It is only when the rain returns for a prolonged period that you will be able to see the physical state of the recovery.
One method for testing for dormant grass is to pull on the actual grass plants to see if they come out of the soil. If the grass remains intact, then this usually indicates that the root system of the grass plant is still alive.
When Is The Best Time To Repair A Lawn In The UK?
Your lawn repair programme should coincide with the end of summer and into the autumn months.
This is usually the end of August through to October and even into November in the Norfolk area.
Ideally you want to start work on your lawn once the high temperatures of the summer months have passed, and moisture from prolonged natural rainfall has returned.
Grass seed will germinate more quickly in the autumn compared to the spring as the soil is warmer.
Seeding with a drought tolerant type of grass seed means the grass will grow deeper roots thus benefiting from moisture deeper in the soil.
Lawn Spiking, Scarification And Hollow Tine Aeration
The dry hot summer has led to lawns being baked dry, and it is therefore essential to try and penetrate the surface layer of the lawn.
Repeated spiking with a garden fork will help moisture reach the root system.
Thorough scarification will be required to get rid of dead grass and debris for areas of the lawn that have died.
Hollow tine aeration is recommended for lawns that have become heavily compacted – please contact us for more information about the mechanical services we offer.
Get Yourself A Water Butt – Or Two
Water butts are an ideal and inexpensive way to collect rainwater which can then be used to water the lawn using a watering can.
They’re an essential part of any garden.
You can make this job easier if you purchase an inexpensive sprinkler bar system, available in most garden centres.
The sprinkler bar attaches to the watering can and allows you to cover areas more quickly.
Applying Wetting Agents
Applying a natural wetting agent to a dry, scorched lawn will enable the water to penetrate the subsurface of the lawn without running off.
Please ask us for more information about wetting agents and we will book you in for a treatment.
Using The Right Fertiliser
Applying the correct type and amount of fertiliser in the autumn is critical to the success of the lawn repair.
Most people understand that nitrogen is a key macro nutrient that encourages growth, however, applying excessive amounts of nitrogen in the autumn can hinder and potentially harm the lawn repair.
A fertiliser with higher values of phosphorus and potash will help with the healthy development of the lawns root system.
How to Mow The Lawn
Proper mowing techniques make a huge difference to the health and vigour of a lawn.
Once new grass growth reaches about 3cm in height, then look to just ‘tip’ the top of the grass plants with a mower with a sharp knife.
This will encourage more vigorous growth and recovery.
It is always worth bearing in mind the golden rule of mowing – never cut more than 1/3rd of the grass plant in one go.
You could also consider mulch mowing your lawn on a higher setting. Mulching the grass clippings means they are cut into small pieces and forced back into the lawn.
The natural breakdown of the clippings help feed the lawn with essential nutrients and mulching also provides an added layer of protection against the heat from the sun.
Contrary to popular belief, extensive trials conducted by stihl.co.uk over several years established that mulched clippings do not lead to excessive thatch.
Please contact us for a comprehensive guide to Mulch Mowing.
Getting The Best Advice About Your Dry Lawn
We’re a family-run, independent business offering lawn care in Norfolk.
We offer a range of specialist services for lawn repair, but to start with we’d need to take a look at your lawn in order to ascertain whether your grass is dead, or just dried out.
If you’d like us to pop over and conduct a Free Lawn Survey – or maybe just some friendly advice about how to deal with a brown lawn, get in touch on 01553 824227.