How to Revive a Hard Dry Lawn
Just to clarify, we are not talking here about repairing burnt, dry, dormant or brown lawns that have been damaged or killed by the dry weather. This is just about seeing if we can bring the lawn back to a green healthy state as quickly and completely as possible. You should consider current river and reservoir levels, the environment and any water restrictions before watering. Rarely is this necessary but it may be applicable to your area this year.
Watering to revive the lawn may not work completely in which case some or all of the lawn is dead. Extended dry weather on heavily used or older lawns sometimes means recovery may not be 100% successful. Undertaking this revival method sooner rather than later is always wise as the longer the lawn remains dry and brown the less chance it has of coming back from dormancy.
The process can be as simple as just adding water. If you lawn is fairly new or has been well maintained with light use you may only need to run the sprinkler for an hour a day in any one spot two or three times over a week. If that works without run-off or you've been lucky and had enough rain, and the lawn recovers uniformly then well done for maintaining a great lawn.
CPR for a Dry Lawn
If your lawn is more than 10 years old, has had a lot of use, is in a dry part of the country or you have had previous problems with run-off, dryness, dry patches or compaction then follow this program. Also, if you are just watering or it's rained and there was run-off or pooling in any more than a few places then this program is also for you. It is far better to pre-empt problems whilst they are not a big issue and whilst the weather is in your favour than end up with dead areas and no time to repair before the onset of winter. The benefits of the program are:
- More problem areas will come good as well as easy to revive ones
- It works faster than by just watering
- You’ll use less water
- It’ll stay greener longer
If you are relying on rain rather than watering adjust the schedule accordingly.
Water Slowly
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. To avoid run-off when reviving the lawn we need to take it slowly so as not to cause run-off and waste water.
Wetting Agent Day 1
Adding a wetting agent massively helps water penetrate hard to wet soils and increases the amount of water that the soil can hold. One application followed by a second one after a few weeks will work wonders and is very easy to do with a watering can, sprayer or spreader depending on the wetting agent used.
If more than 50% of the lawn is dry treat all areas. If you just have distinct patches then to economise you could just treat those but extend the application to cover an area slightly larger than the patch itself.
Aerating Day 2
If you have some kind of aerator or spiker then on day 2 run over the lawn with it to just prick the surface, don’t force it. Even tiny holes just a few millimeters deep will help rain or water penetrate your lawn. This will help speed the process up and though very beneficial is not essential.
A Cunning Plan
Nothing to do with Blackadder but a customer cleverly attached diving weights to his rolling aerator as in the top image. This meant he could pull it rather than push and still manage sufficient aeration as required for a hard lawn. Having tried it ourselves we can confirm it is easy to set-up, works a treat and is super-fast to cover a lawn even the size of a tennis court. Any heavy weight up to a couple of kilos that can be safely and securely attached should do.
Watering Day 2 or Wait for Rain
Start to water by sprinkler in any one area for just 15 minutes. This should be done after aerating. 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.
Watering Day 4 or Wait for Rain
Repeat day 2 watering and try to increase the watering time a little to around 30 minutes in any one spot.
Watering Day 6 or Wait for Rain
If you’ve managed some aeration and added the wetting agent, you should now be able to water for an hour in any one spot. It is also important at this stage to switch to watering in the morning.
Week 2
You should now start to see some green shoots as recovery begins. You will need to continue to water weekly if there is no rain to stop the lawn reverting to its dormant state. The good news is that you won't need as much water due to the actions of the wetting agent. See How to Water the Lawn
Feeding
By week 3 now you’ll be seeing a green recovery so assist the lawn by providing much needed nutrients. If this fits in with your feeding program apply a granular feed, or if you’re between summer and autumn feeds apply a liquid feed. This will give the grass the energy to grow new leaves to replace the dead brown ones that are still present.
Autumn
Make sure to scarify the lawn if needed and there is sufficient time left before winter for seed to germinate. If this is not required a good raking to remove dead brown grass leaves followed by the autumn feed is all that should be required. Oh, and aerate some more by all means. You just can’t over do it.
Put the Spring back in Your Lawn
More Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Leaf fall can kill grass, cause lawn diseases, increase moss and worm casts. Clear the leaves frequently before they harm your lawn
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Winter lawns can look pretty awful but don’t need to be. With a little knowledge and planning you can have a fantastic lawn all year round.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
During winter take care in frost conditions or when snow is heavy as you can damage the grass and cause a snow mould attack
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Prevention is better than cure but if your winter lawn care falls short then here are the ways to improve a poorly winter lawn
-
During winter several things can go wrong with your lawn from grass thinning a little, complete loss of grass in some areas to an invasion of moss and strange coloured patches in the lawn.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Spring is a busy time for lawns and gardens as plants and grass start growing. We’ll cover everything that is needed starting with early spring.
-
After a dismal winter your lawn can be in a terrible state. Help is at hand here!
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
By end of April and into May the lawn should be growing well so you can complete your lawn care and grass maintenance plans for the spring ready for the summer.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
How to repair your lawn if it gets flooded or just becomes water logged from excessive rainfall
-
If your lawn dries and the grass turns brown in summer then improving lawn care and using a wetting agent can reduce the severity or stop it completely.
-
With the right preparation you can affect how long your lawn stays green during dry conditions. See how to retain the green in your grass in summer for longer.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Grass in a healthy lawn is very resilient and can survive short periods of drought but after that things can deteriorate rapidly so learn how to drought proof your lawn.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Whichever it is the chances are the grass turns a straw brown colour. Other than that, there is visually little difference in the lawn so try some simple tests.
-
How to revive and repair burnt summer lawns and grass after a long period with little or no rain
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
In summer consideration needs to be given to heat and drought so keeping the lawn correctly fertilised, cut and aerated will help the lawn stay greener longer.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
Wetting agents improve rain and water uptake in the lawn. It helps water to penetrate and spread, improving availability to the grass and reducing total water usage.
-
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips & Problems
As autumn approaches the weather starts cooling and getting wetter; the ideal time for feeding and weeding plus any maintenance and repairs before winter.