Q&A: How to save the dying lawns in summer?
Question by Jeremy: How to save the dying lawns in summer?
In order to kill the weeds in my yards, I used weed & feed last weekend. It was really hot these days (I live in Indiana), and the lawns are now going to die… What can I do for the lawns? Is there any way to save them?
Thanks for the answers. The cause of the dying lawns clearly is weed & feed, because the lawns on other areas are still fine. Only the right hand side of my front yard is brown in my subdivision, and it’s really embarrassing. Does anyone know how to regain the green beautiful lawns asap?
Best answer:
Answer by Tink
Its probably not the weed and feed, its most likely the time of year when you lawn goes dormant for summer (because its hot and dry – for us here in Detroit it will be a few more weeks)
Give your answer to this question below!
Most lawns die out in summer because the heat dries the plants out. Keep the lawn watered and you should be fine.
Water them – Read the label on your weed and feed and see if the heat makes any dfference. The chemical should have no effect on the turf other than to feed it.
Add on– Weed and Feed is not reccomended during the middle of summer but ok thru late spring. Realize that in warm weather thru june it may take 90 minutes of water per week to keep a cool season grass like tall fescue (doesnt go dormant in winter) happy. In July and Aug run your sprinkler s for at least 100 minutes /week If your grass is dead it is because you had a watering problem. If this type of grass dies there is nothing you can do except replant it in the fall. I would check your watering system to make sure that it is watering correctly – First set timer to run that section manually if it does not turn on you will have to check the valve itself to make sure it is ok. If the valve does turn on then check the time setting for that area. Another way to check your water is to dig down where the grass is brown and see if the soil underneath is dry.
As hotter weather sets in mow less frequently. When you do mow raise the “bench set” height of the mower. (So you don’t mow so low.) Lower grass allows the ground to evaporate more quickly requiring more frequent watering. When you do water, water close to the lawn to prevent water loss through evaporation. (Sprinklers that throw water high in the air just waste it). Water more on the days you do water or water twice the same day. Deeper water encourages deeper roots that will go longer between watering s. More frequent watering and for shorter periods encourages shallow root systems which die faster when the surface soil dries. If possible mow the lawn the day before predicted rain this will help it to recover faster. Timing your mowing can help to preserve the lawn longer in hot weather and dry spells. I do not water much but manage to have one of the best lawns in the neighborhood during 40 degrees c and drought because of practicing good management. If pest are a problem catch them at the first signs of infestation. It is best to weed and feed at the beginning of the rainy season unless irrigation in your area is not a problem.