Weeks of hot weather and little rain have left many gardens across Wales looking tired, with once-green lawns fading to dry, crispy, and brown patches. Add in hosepipe bans in some areas, and plenty of homeowners are wondering whether their grass is beyond saving.
But a popular online gardener says the best approach in extreme heat is often the simplest: don’t panic, and don’t rush to 'fix' the brown patches, because the lawn may be protecting itself. TikTok creator and presenter Ish, who posts as Gardening with Ish, has been sharing drought-season lawn tips with his followers after noticing the same problem at home.
Grass May Be Dormant, Not Dead
In a recent video, he explained that what appears to be damage may actually be the grass going dormant. He explained that some people make it worse by intervening too soon.
Ish said the dry, brown layer acts like a protective blanket while the grass 'hibernates', helping keep the soil beneath cooler and protecting the roots. Because of that, he advised against removing it during a heatwave, meaning there should be no cutting or scarifying while conditions are harsh.
Let the Lawn Recover Naturally
Instead, he suggested gardeners should give the lawn time to recover naturally, with green growth often returning once rain arrives. The key is letting the roots stay protected until temperatures ease and moisture levels improve.
For parts of the lawn that have stayed green, Ish suggested treating them gently too. He said mowing is fine if needed, but only with the blades set as high as possible, as keeping the grass longer helps shade the ground, retain moisture, and reduce stress during hot spells.
Hold Off on Regular Lawn Care
His overall advice was to hold off on normal lawn routines until the weather breaks. Ish said gardeners can return to regular mowing and feeding once the whole lawn has bounced back.
And while he noted watering can help where it’s allowed, his main point was that, during heat and drought, leaving brown areas alone and cutting higher on greener patches gives grass the best chance of recovering.
RHS Offers Similar Guidance
RHS shares similar advice on its website. A guide focused on lawn care for drought said: "Grass growth will start to slow down in dry conditions, so mow less often and raise the cutting height to let the grass get longer, which should encourage deeper rooting. Close cutting in dry weather can weaken the grass and make it more vulnerable."
Also let the clippings fall back into the grass to act as a mulch and hold in moisture. If grass growth stops, then take a break from mowing.
