How to Tell if Your Summer Lawn is Dehydrated (and What to Do About It)

In the heat of the summer, your lawn can suffer from dehydration under the sun’s oppressive glare. Not every brown spot, however, is dehydration. Knowing when your lawn is truly suffering from a lack of hydration and how to address the issue is a challenge for many homeowners, especially during the drier parts of the year when there's excessive sunlight and water restrictions at play.

We’ve compiled this mini guide to help you: 

• Determine if your grass is over- or under-hydrated 
• Gain an understanding of how to get your lawn back into shape if it has become dehydrated 
• Learn about best practices when watering your lawn 
• And more! 

Everything You Need To Know About Your Dehydrated Lawn: 

• Knowing the signs of a dehydrated lawn. Understanding the signs of dehydration is key to prevention. Here are a few ways to tell if your lawn is dehydrated: 
  • The Tug Test – When grass blades are able to be pulled more easily when gently tugged, this is a sign of dehydration, meaning the grass has lost its rooting and is dying.
  • Patterns And Patches – Patchy spots of dormant and dead grass spread throughout the yard can be an indicator of dehydration.
  • Visible Footprints – Footprints should go away very shortly after the imprint is made. If you begin to notice that they don’t, it could be a sign of lawn dehydration.  
  • Soil Gaps – When your lawn experiences dehydration, the soil shrinks. If there are visible gaps or cracks in your soil, your lawn is experiencing heat stress, indicating its need for water. 
  • Bed Edge Dryness – The edges around your landscape beds can serve as a great drought indicator. If you notice drying “light” colored soil on the edges, it is a clear indication of dehydration.  
  • Screwdriver Test – Push a six-inch screwdriver into your lawn to determine whether it goes in easily. If it does, your lawn is likely hydrated enough. If the soil resists the screwdriver, it might be a sign of dehydration.  
• What to do if your lawn is dehydrated. If you have seen the signs and know your lawn is suffering from dehydration, you have some work to do. The good news is you can (possibly) reverse things. Here are some ideas on how to take care of your lawn’s dehydration: 
  • Rake the dead grass to open up space for the soil
  • Spread new seed 
  • Apply fertilizer to get things off to a good start
  • Water and mulch 
  • Ensure the new grass seed receives proper sunlight and water   

If your lawn isn't living up to your expectations, we're here to help! You can achieve a greener, thicker, healthier lawn with our tailored lawn care plans.