Gardeners across the UK have been warned to be careful when trying to recover scorched lawns following a series of heatwaves. Brown and yellow grass has become widespread this summer, with many parks and gardens affected by weeks of hot, dry weather that has led to drought declarations and hosepipe bans in many areas.
Overwatering risk highlighted
Lawn care experts at Lawnsmith have cautioned households not to overwater scorched lawns, as this can lead to more problems. Instead, they advise watering slowly to avoid run-off and waste water.
“We are all aware of the potential for flooding after extended dry periods: the soil can't absorb heavy rain, which runs off rapidly, overflowing rivers and ending up flooding residences and businesses,” the experts say. “To avoid run-off when reviving the lawn, we need to take it slowly so as not to cause run-off and waste water.”
Step-by-step recovery plan
When the time comes to revive the lawn, the experts recommend using a wetting agent on the first day to prepare the soil to retain more water. These products are available at garden centres or online.
The day after, gardeners should “start to water by sprinkler in any one area for just 15 minutes”. This should be done after aerating the lawn. “If water starts running off before 15 minutes is up, then move the sprinkler after less time to another area and then come back to it as you rotate your watering around the lawn,” they warn.
Assessing grass damage
Two days after the initial watering, the same process should be repeated. By day six, watering can be extended to around an hour. However, gardeners should first determine whether the grass is simply dry or completely dead, as dead patches will not recover unless they are reseeded.
A patch of grass is likely dead if it is bare or if the grass appears a dull brown or grey colour. Identifying these areas early can help gardeners focus their efforts on reseeding rather than watering dead turf.
