If you live on the west coast, the chances are good that you have experienced some dry periods over the years. The problem with drought is that it can derail your landscaping goals and make you work even harder to keep up with all of the plants on your property. Your plants may wither away and potentially experience long-term health issues if you aren’t careful with them. Grass is particularly vulnerable to drought and it can be quite the challenge to revive your lawn after an extended period without water.

The summer months usually feature several stretches where there isn’t a lot of rainfall occurring. That’s when you need to take action immediately to make sure that your grass is able to survive the drought without significant and irreparable damage. The good news is that there are several intelligent strategies that you can implement to care for your lawn during a dry period. By following these tips, you can help your grass stay healthy regardless of what the weather is doing. Keep reading below to learn some great lawn care tips to use during a dry period. This article is brought to you by Cal Blend Soils, the leading suppliers of landscaping products in California. Reach out to the team at Cal Blend Soils today if you are interested in purchasing landscaping supplies that will make your life easier this summer.

Cut Correctly

When your grass isn’t receiving a lot of water, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it isn’t’ growing. However, the chances are good that the rate at which it grows will slow down significantly. You still need to head outside and mow your lawn at regular intervals, just not as frequently as usual. One of the best tips for keeping up with your lawn during a dry period is to avoid cutting your grass too short. Mowing too short during a dry period can make it dry out and put it under extra stress. Try to mow your lawn to be 3 or 4 inches so that the roots are able to retain their moisture. Also, don’t mow your lawn too often during dry periods. This will vary on the specific conditions on your property, but just remember how important it is to cut correctly during the driest months of the year.

Avoid Foot Traffic

Whenever people are walking on your lawn, it’s important to realize the damage it can do. The more foot traffic that occurs on your property, the more stress your lawn will be under. During a dry spell, you should focus on minimizing the foot traffic on your grass to give it the best chance of survival. Grass is more delicate and vulnerable when it isn’t getting the water it is used to, which means it can experience dead patches and other common issues if it receives a lot of foot traffic. Try to keep pets, kids, friends, and family off of the lawn during the driest months of the year to give your grass the best chances of surviving the period unscathed.

Provide Your Lawn Extra Water

Obviously your lawn will need water during the dry period, but finding the correct amount is easier said than done. This is especially true if there are watering limits imposed by the local government or home owner’s association. That’s why it’s very important to water your lawn efficiently during those times. One of the best lawn care tips during a dry period is to water your lawn early in the morning so that you can minimize the amount of water that evaporates during the day when the sun is out in full force. The best time of day to water during dry periods is any time between 3 and 6 in the morning. You should focus on watering deeply but not as frequently so that the roots of your lawn can absorb all of the moisture they need to stay healthy.

Consider Alternatives

If you live in an area that consistently deals with periods of drought and low rainfall, it might be a good idea to consider alternatives. Some of the things you might want to consider include adding artificial turf to a section of your lawn or planting a new grass type that is known for being drought-resistant. Also, you can think about adding hardscapes to areas of your property to reduce the amount of grass that you need to maintain and keep up with. There are plenty of great landscaping supplies you might want to consider adding to your property like decorative gravel. This is smart because it allows you to reduce your lawn size while adding a stylish decorative component to your landscaping. Reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are interested in learning more about certain landscaping supplies that you can use for hardscaping or changing up the landscaping plan that you have.

Know the Signs

Part of maintaining a lawn during the hottest months of the year is being able to recognize certain signs that might mean your lawn is in trouble. For example, keep in eye out for changes in the hue of your grass. If you notice it is going from a bright green color to a duller gray color, that probably means it is under stress due to drought. Also, look out for wilting and footprints or mower tracks that stay visible in the grass for longer than normal. Anything that looks out of the ordinary probably means that you need to take action.

Beating the Heat

If you live in the California area, you will probably have to deal with drought in the coming months. Instead of letting your lawn wither away, keep the tips mentioned above in mind to ensure that your grass comes out of the dry period with strength. Reach out to Cal Blend Soils today if you have any questions about landscaping or if you’d like to purchase the best quality landscaping supplies for great prices.