The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has warned gardeners against using lawn fertiliser on drought-affected grass this autumn, as the treatment could do more harm than good while lawns recover from dry conditions.
Earlier this month, the government said almost three-quarters of England is now in drought, and The National Drought Group has warned all regions are experiencing pressure on water resources, with increasing impacts across agriculture, public supplies, navigation, and the environment.
Fertiliser and weedkiller should be delayed
After a summer of hot weather and little rainfall, many lawns can look brown, dry and lifeless. However, the RHS says brown grass does not necessarily mean the lawn has died. The grass will green up once rain returns, but there are steps gardeners can take to make lawns more drought resistant and help them recover.
One key piece of advice from the RHS is to avoid using lawn fertiliser on drought-affected grass in autumn. Gardeners are also advised against using lawn weedkiller while the turf is recovering from dry conditions.
The RHS says: "Avoid using lawn weedkiller or fertiliser on drought-affected turf in autumn. Delay treatments until the following spring, if necessary, when the grass and weeds are growing vigorously."
Repair and re-sow sparse areas
To help lawns recover, gardeners are advised to re-sow any sparsely grassed areas, ideally using a drought-tolerant lawn seed mix. The RHS added: "The autumn after a dry summer is the ideal time to carry out renovation and repair. This will help your lawn recover and also make it more drought resistant the following year."
The RHS has also provided advice for what to do during a drought. It said grass growth will 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 mowing during dry conditions can weaken the grass and make it more vulnerable.
Mowing and watering tips
Gardeners can also leave small grass clippings on the lawn rather than collecting them. The RHS says they can act as a mulch, helping to hold in moisture. If grass growth stops altogether, the RHS advises taking a break from mowing until it begins growing again.
Gardeners should also resist the temptation to water established lawns during the summer, however brown they get, as the grass will send up new leaves once it rains. Only water if absolutely necessary, for example if a new lawn was laid or sown in spring.
