How To Tell If Your Lawn Is Suffering From Lack of Water

There are many homeowners who would just as soon let the grass in their lawn go dormant through the heat of the summer months. With the high cost of water, the rationing of water, and a busy lifestyle that just doesn’t allow much time to water, it’s understandable that so many homeowners feel this way.

Keep in mind, however, that a decision to allow a lawn to go dormant does not mean that it no longer needs water, even though when a lawn is dormant, it usually loses that lush green look. During dormancy, a lawn may look a duller shade of green, a bit more brown, or it may even appear thinner with a slightly silvery-blue color. But when letting your lawn go dormant, you must still provide occasional water in the absence of periodic rain. I would say, at a minimum, try to see to it that your lawn receives at least one-half to one inch cumulative water per week.

I have had homeowners ask me, “How can I tell if my lawn is too dry?” There is a very simple method to determining if your lawn is overly dry and needs water soon. Most people understand that when they walk across a healthy lawn they do not leave “footprints”. The grass normally springs back, leaving no trace that somebody has just walked on it. However, when your lawn and the soil it’s growing in are in desperate need of water, footprints across the lawn will remain visible for more than a few seconds. In fact, the footprints may remain visible for five to ten minutes or more.

So, if you decide to let your lawn go dormant but there has been no rain and no water applied to your lawn and you start noticing footprints wherever someone has walked - it’s time to give your lawn some water. Now keep in mind, I’m not suggesting heavy watering. Your aim here is not to make your lawn look lush again. Your aim is to provide enough water to keep the roots and the crowns of the grass plants in your lawn alive. Although your lawn may not look its best during dormancy, as long as it does not die due to excessive heat and extended periods without water, it will come back again and look fine once cooler temperatures return.

NEXT TIME: Is Your Lawn Growing In Clay Instead of Topsoil?