Getting your lawn through a dry summer

A lawn under drought stress does better with deep, infrequent watering than with a light daily sprinkle. Soaking it thoroughly once or twice a week pushes roots deeper, where the soil stays cooler and holds moisture longer.

Water early in the morning so less is lost to evaporation, and raise your mower blade. Longer grass shades its own roots and the soil surface, which slows drying out and keeps the lawn greener for longer.

If it goes brown despite your efforts, do not panic. Most established lawns are simply dormant, not dead, and will recover once cooler, wetter weather returns. Stay off it as much as you can while it is stressed to avoid lasting damage.