Does the recent drought have you worried about your lawn and water usage? The Daybreak Community Association understands your concerns and we are here to help. We have teamed up with Master Gardener, Jenny Koller, to provide you with some tips to help your lawn survive throughout the dry weather. 

Grass can easily rebound from this current water and heat stress as long as we take some precautions.  Try the following tips:

• Let it grow, let it grow. You do not need to mow your lawn once a week. Try and let the grass grow as long as possible in between mowings and keep your mower height on its longest setting. The higher height keeps the rooting system shaded, which helps to prevent the water from evaporating too quickly.  
• Skip out on the fertilizer, for now. Fertilizing focuses on grass growth, not on root development. We do not want to stimulate any more growth than absolutely necessary.
  • Instead, you can leave the clippings on the lawn because they break down and return nutrients to the soil. In the fall, after your last mower cut of the season, you can add a quick release, high nitrogen fertilizer which will restore the nutrients lost and help the roots.
    
• Water deeply, not frequently.  A little bit of water every day is completely ineffective.  Watering deeply, twice a week is plenty, even in this heat. A fixed head should run for 25 minutes, a rotating head should run for 45 minutes. 

If your lawn begins to turn brownish/yellow, do not worry. It may just be "dormant." This means that your grass is "resting" and is due to dry weather conditions. Check the blades near the roots and if they are still green you are good to go. By following these tips, you are not only saving water but you are also saving time and money.

Compliance: 
If you are concerned about your yellowing lawn, rest assured that our compliance team understands the drought situation. A "dormant" state is acceptable; however, avoid allowing your grass to completely die. If you have questions or concerns and wish to speak to our compliance team, please call our office and staff will be happy to assist you.