Drought Conditions – Lawn Care

Plants must have water to survive – it is like blood to humans.  Water carries dissolved nutrients, sugars and hormones throughout the plant’s system.  Common turf grasses vary in their drought tolerance.  Drought tolerance in turf grasses from highest to lowest are:

·                    Bermuda grass

·                    St. Augustine grass

·                    Centipede grass, Fescue grass, Emerald Zoysia grass and El Toro Zoysia grass

·                    Meyer Zoysia grass

Some grasses have the ability to go into dormancy when drought conditions are present.  During this self-imposed dormancy, the grass will become yellow, but, if healthy to begin with, it can recover when water again becomes available.

Time turf can go without water with no substantial harm:

          *        Bermuda                         6 weeks

          *        St. Augustine                  4 weeks

          *        Centipede/Fescue            3 weeks

          *        Zoysia                            2 weeks

Ninety percent of the problems in landscaping are related to water, the lack of water, too much water or simply incorrect watering habits.  Deep, infrequent watering is more beneficial than short periods several times a week.  Deep soaking allows the water to penetrate the root system where it needs to be to allow for deep root development. 

The recommended time to water is early morning (from midnight to 8am).  This is the time when the grass is naturally wet with dew. By watering during this time you are not keeping the grass wet any longer than it is wet due to natural conditions.  Fungus gets started when the grass is wet for long periods of time.

Most turf grasses in Georgia require about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season to remain green and healthy.  In summary, apply an inch to an inch and a half of water per week as quickly as possible, without runoff.

With water restrictions as they are, it may not be feasible to water your lawn as often as once a week.  Grass types can go different lengths of time without water when a drought does occur.  Following is a table showing maximum recommended number of days between watering to keep grass from becoming stressed:

                   Bermuda                                   14-21 days

                   St. Augustine                            12-18 days

                   Centipede                                 8-12 days

                   Tall Fescue                               6-8 days

                   Zoysia                                      5-7 days               

To determine the depth of water penetration, insert a screw driver or some other pointed object into the soil.  Moist soil will allow penetration and dry soil will not.  If the probe does not go at least 3 inches into the soil it is too dry.  To determine when a deep soaking is attained place several open top containers around your lawn before irrigating.  When an inch of water is collected in the containers you can be assured that the lawn has received the recommended deep soaking.

Dorsey’s Landscaping, Inc. is as concerned about the health of your lawn and plant materials as you are.  During temperatures higher than 85-90 degrees, we use granular products to prevent damage to the grass. These products can just stay on the ground until the lawn receives rain or irrigation.

Another concern to address is thatch build-up.  Thatch is a layer of plant material that is allowed to build up between the green part of the plant and the soil.  This build-up can slow water movement into the soil, increasing water loss through run-off and evaporation.  Thatch also helps to create a shallow root system.  It is recommended that excess thatch (more than one-half an inch) be removed in early spring by mowing low and bagging the clippings.  Several passes may be needed to pick up all excess thatch.

In summation, during the drought season

·        water at least every two weeks but give the lawn a thorough soaking,

·        continue lawn care treatments, and

·        remove excess thatch. 

Please call the office if you have any questions or concerns about your lawn.