What Can I Do When Heat Stress Strikes My Lawn
Grass is a plant and plants need water to survive, especially in the hot and humid summer months. Heat stress can be very damaging to a lawn so it is important to notice the signs, correct the problem and prevent future instances.
What is Heat Stress?
Heat stress is caused by the heat and humidity when the lawn lacks water. A lawn suffering from heat stress is more likely to have problems with diseases, weed infestations, insect infestations, bare spots and even death. It is possibly to help a lawn rebound from heat stress, but much easier to prevent it. If you notice any heat stress symptoms, it is important to contact your lawn care company and begin reviving the lawn immediately before more damage is done.
Gaps, Cracks and Edges
Have you ever noticed that the edges of your property have nice clean lines and look pretty good? In most instances, this is not caused by proper edging techniques; it is actually caused by the lawn shrinking due to the lack of water and is one of the easily noticed heat stress symptoms. During the summer months, it is important to take a look at the edges of the property, along driveways and sidewalks, to see if there is a gap between the soil and concrete. If there is, the lawn needs to be properly rehydrated. This is the same for any gapped edges noticed along landscaping or cracks within the soil throughout the lawn.
Watering
A lawn that is experiencing heat stress needs water. It is important to water properly to prevent diseases or more problems. First of all, it is important to water in the morning. Morning watering is less likely to cause diseases and less likely to evaporate. The more water the lawn receives, the better. This is why it is important to water in zones, which is much easier with a sprinkler system but still able to be done without. Water a section, move onto another section and then repeat the cycle. This will help prevent a lot of runoff. In an overly dry state, a lawns first response is to repel water rather than to absorb it, which makes the 2-3 inches it needs per week difficult to achieve.
Sum it up
If your lawn is experiencing any of the symptoms of heat stress, it is important to water, water, water. The sooner the lawn has been rehydrated, the better chance there is of survival and less likely there is to be weeds or diseases.
It is always a good idea to consult with a lawn care professional and ask any questions you may have. Look around, ask friends or family, and research companies on the Better Business Bureau to find a company that you can trust.