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Photo Credit: David L. Morgan

Weeds will quickly take over if your turf dies from drought stress. The solution: Kill or pull the weeds; seed or plant turfgrass; then water, water, water!

If you’re a turf fan, you probably already know that fall is the big time of year when it comes to regular lawn care maintenance. Grass needs a good dose of TLC before winter settles in so it can return vigorous and healthy the next spring. But if it’s late summer and your lawn is really struggling, you shouldn’t wait for fall.

How can you tell if your grass is suffering? Look carefully. Are there bare or brown spots? Are the grass leaves twisted in their growth habit or unusually light in color? Are weeds thriving where a solid turf cover once existed? If you answer yes to any of these, it’s time to take action.

Here are some ideas to help your summer-weary lawn along on its road to recovery:

● Water, water everywhere – and every day, if you need to! When it’s 105 degrees F, throw out those spring-watering recommendations and do what you have to in order to save your drought-stressed grass. That may mean using the old hose-and-sprinkler method on “hot spots” in your lawn, or even late evening hand-watering. The fact is, you have to do it, or you’ll lose it!

● Kill existing weeds now before they become established and go to seed. If you must use chemicals, always read the label first. Make certain you select the correct herbicide for your particular type of turf. And use the right concentrations, particularly if you use weed-and-feed products.

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Photo Credit: David L. Morgan

Sometimes it’s best to look up – not down – to see the first signs of drought. If the leaves on your trees are brown, it’s likely your grass is suffering, too.

● Consider overseeding your thin warm-season grass with a cool-season cover for winter to protect the soil from runoff and erosion. In warm climates, cool-season grasses like perennial ryegrass and tall fescue will die out as spring’s heat arrives so you can establish your turf of choice for the growing season. Overseeding also gives you the benefit of having a green lawn all winter long. (The best time to overseed is about a month before your yard normally turns brown.)

● Get out and do some thatch control. Removing excess thatch helps turfgrass survive the winter and lets it absorb much-needed water. For most grasses, thatch should be less than ½ an inch.