How to Care for Your Lawn During a Drought

Virginia’s beautiful landscapes are known for their lush, green lawns, but during a drought, keeping your lawn healthy can feel like a challenging task. With the hot, dry summer months becoming more common, homeowners need to adapt their lawn care practices to conserve water, reduce stress on grass, and promote long-term health. If you're currently experiencing dry conditions, here’s a detailed guide on how to care for your lawn during a drought in Virginia.

1. Understand the Types of Grass in Virginia

Virginia is home to both cool-season and warm-season grasses. Cool-season grasses like fescue, ryegrass, and bluegrass are more common in northern and central parts of the state, while southern Virginia sees more warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia.

• Cool-season grasses: These thrive in spring and fall but can struggle in the intense heat of summer. During a drought, they may go dormant and turn brown but typically recover when rainfall resumes.
• Warm-season grasses: These grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, are more heat-resistant and better able to tolerate drought conditions. They tend to stay green through the summer but can go dormant in extreme dry spells.

Understanding the grass type in your yard will help you determine the best care practices. Cool-season grasses need extra attention during the summer, while warm-season grasses are more drought-resistant by nature.

Learn more about the most common types of grasses in Virginia.

2. Watering Wisely

Watering is the most critical factor in maintaining a healthy lawn during a drought, but with local water restrictions and limited rainfall, it’s essential to be strategic.

• Water deeply, not frequently: Shallow, frequent watering encourages grass roots to stay near the surface, where they are more vulnerable to heat and drought. Instead, water your lawn deeply to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil, making your lawn more drought-resistant over time. The goal is to water about once a week, applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water at a time, ensuring the water soaks deep into the soil.
• Water at the right time: Early morning is the best time to water your lawn—ideally between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. This allows the grass to absorb moisture before the heat of the day and reduces evaporation. Watering in the evening can encourage fungal diseases since moisture stays on the grass overnight.
• Use a rain gauge: A rain gauge can help you track how much rainfall your lawn is receiving, allowing you to adjust your watering schedule accordingly. If your lawn is not getting enough water from rainfall, supplement with your hose or irrigation system. Check with your local water authority to understand restrictions and be mindful of water conservation efforts.

Check out these irrigation and watering tips for Virginia homeowners.

3. Mowing Practices for Drought

When mowing your lawn during a drought, you should take extra care to avoid causing further damage to the grass.

• Raise your mower blade: When you raise your mower blade to around 3 to 4 inches for cool-season grasses and 2.5 to 3 inches for warm-season grasses, the longer grass blades help shade the soil, reducing water evaporation. Taller grass also has deeper roots, which can help the lawn survive through dry spells. It’s important not to cut more than one-third of the grass height at once to avoid stressing the plant.
• Leave grass clippings: Grass clippings act as a natural mulch, helping retain moisture in the soil. By leaving the clippings on the lawn, you create a protective layer that reduces evaporation and helps keep the soil cooler. This small change in mowing habits can have a big impact on lawn health.

4. Fertilization During Drought

Fertilizing your lawn during a drought can be counterproductive if not done correctly, as the added nutrients might cause more stress to the grass. Here's how to prevent this:

• Avoid fertilizing during the heat of summer: Fertilizing encourages new growth, and when the grass is already stressed from lack of water, additional growth can exacerbate the problem. It’s best to hold off on fertilizing during the peak of summer drought conditions, and instead, focus on feeding your lawn during the cooler months of early spring or fall when the grass is actively growing and able to use the nutrients.
• Use slow-release fertilizers: If fertilization is necessary during a drought, opt for slow-release fertilizers, which break down gradually and provide nutrients over time. These types of fertilizers are less likely to burn the grass, as they release nutrients in small doses. This way, the grass can access the nutrients it needs without being overwhelmed.

Learn how to identify signs of over-fertilization. 

5. Aeration and Lawn Care Maintenance

Aerating your lawn can help it cope with drought conditions by improving water and nutrient absorption.

• Aerate your lawn: Aerating creates holes in the soil, which allows water, air, and nutrients to reach the root zone more effectively. The best time to aerate your lawn is during the fall, but if you’re facing extreme drought, aerating in the late summer can still benefit your grass by reducing soil compaction and encouraging deeper root growth. Make sure the lawn is slightly moist before aerating for the best results.
• Reduce foot traffic: Avoid walking or playing on your lawn during dry conditions, as this can compact the soil and make it harder for water to penetrate. Consider designating specific areas for play or relaxation and keeping the lawn as undisturbed as possible during the drought.

Learn more about proper lawn aeration.

6. Drought-Tolerant Lawn Alternatives

If the drought conditions are extreme and prolonged, you may want to explore alternatives to traditional grass.

• Consider drought-tolerant grass species: If you’re planning to reseed or replace parts of your lawn, consider using drought-resistant grass varieties. Tall fescue is a cool-season grass that is drought-tolerant and works well in Virginia. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda are another option, as they thrive in the heat and require less water once established.
• Ground covers: For areas where grass is struggling or may not be feasible, you could opt for drought-resistant ground covers. Clover, creeping thyme, and even moss can thrive in dry conditions while providing an attractive, low-maintenance lawn alternative.

7. Dealing with Lawn Stress and Dormancy

During a drought, it’s not uncommon for grass to go dormant, especially cool-season varieties. Here’s how to manage your lawn’s health during dormancy:

• Avoid overwatering: Overwatering in an attempt to revive dormant grass can lead to shallow roots and further stress the lawn. Grass may appear brown, but this doesn’t mean it’s dead. Instead, give it time to rest. Once water becomes available again, it should bounce back with proper care.
• Don’t stress over the color: Brown or yellow grass during a drought is typically just a sign of dormancy, not death. As soon as adequate moisture is available, your lawn should revive. Do not fertilize during dormancy, as this can push the grass to grow at the wrong time and result in more stress.

8. Weed Management

Weeds can become more aggressive during dry spells, as they are often more tolerant of drought conditions than grass. Here’s how to manage weeds during a drought:

• Pull weeds by hand: Regularly remove weeds by hand, making sure to get the entire root to prevent regrowth. Hand-pulling weeds reduces the risk of further soil disturbance compared to using chemical treatments. Try to weed during the early morning or evening when it’s cooler.
• Use mulch: Mulching garden beds and bare areas of your lawn can help retain moisture and suppress weed growth. Apply mulch about 2 to 3 inches deep around plants and in areas where grass may struggle, such as under trees or along walkways.

Drought Lawn Care

Caring for your lawn during a drought in Virginia requires thoughtful adjustments to your usual lawn care routine. By implementing efficient watering practices, appropriate mowing techniques, and selecting drought-tolerant grass varieties, you can minimize the impact of dry conditions on your lawn. While it may take time for your grass to recover, with the right care, your lawn can survive and thrive once the rains return.

If you're unsure how to best care for your lawn or need expert advice, reach out to a local lawn care professional to create a customized drought management plan. Our team at Nuleaf Lawn Care offers general lawn care, aeration service, weed control programs, plant health care, and much more. We can guide you through the best practices for your specific grass type and help you maintain a healthy, resilient lawn all year round.