If you’ve looked out the window lately and noticed your grass is more “crispy beige” than “lush green,” you’re not alone.
From Holland to Grand Rapids, it feels like every summer storm lately has either fizzled out or completely skipped us, leaving yards dry, dusty, and struggling. According to the Michigan Drought Monitor, a lot of the area is under a D1 Moderate drought.
If you’re anything like me (not exactly a lawn care pro), it’s hard to know what to do next to save your grass. First off, don’t panic. Grass is more resilient than it looks. A brown lawn doesn’t always mean a dead lawn, it may just be dormant, especially during a dry spell like the one we’re having in West Michigan.
But if you want to help it survive (and maybe even revive), there are a few simple things you can do.
When and How to Water in a Drought
Watering in the early morning is your best bet. Not noon, not evening: early morning. That way, the water has time to soak into the soil before the sun starts baking everything again.
You don’t have to water every single day, either. Giving your lawn a deeper soak a couple of times a week is actually better than a light daily sprinkle, because it encourages the roots to grow deeper.
Smart Mowing Can Save Your Grass
It also helps to mow smart. Raise those mower blades if you haven’t already. Longer grass shades the soil and holds onto moisture better. If you’re cutting your grass too short during a drought, you’re pretty much inviting it to burn out.
And while it may seem like the answer, skip the fertilizer until we get rain again. Fertilizer can stress your lawn out even more in a dry spell, and I’m sure your grass doesn’t need any more stress than it’s already feeling right now.
Will My Lawn Ever Come Back?
What if your yard is too far gone? It’s okay. Sometimes, letting nature take its course is all you can do when it’s been this dry. Once the rain returns (and of course it will), most lawns in West Michigan bounce back on their own…