Living in Southern California means dealing with periods of dry conditions, which can make it challenging to maintain a healthy lawn. However, with the right lawn care practices, you can help your turfgrass survive and even thrive during dry spells.
Below are essential lawn care tips to guide you through maintaining a drought-tolerant lawn.
Key Takeaways
- A good irrigation system, deep watering, and early morning schedules help your lawn survive drought.
- Taller grass, sharp mower blades, and mowing less often reduce stress and keep soil cooler.
- Less foot traffic, core aeration, and dethatching help grass roots grow deeper and absorb water.
- Drought-tolerant grass seed, light herbicide use, mulch, and dormancy help your lawn stay healthy when dry.
1. Optimize Your Irrigation System to Reduce Water Use
A well-maintained irrigation system is essential for lawn care during drought. Inspect your sprinklers and hoses regularly to ensure there are no leaks and that water is evenly distributed.
Water your lawn with about an inch of water per week, adjusting for weather conditions and water restrictions. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deeper roots, which help your grass withstand drought stress.
The best time to water is in the early morning when temperatures are cooler, reducing evaporation and ensuring your grass receives enough water.
2. Adjust Your Mowing Practices to Reduce Drought Stress
During drought conditions, adjust the blades of your lawn mower to a higher setting to leave grass blades longer. Taller grass provides shade for the soil, reducing evaporation and keeping the root system cooler.
- For warm-season grasses, mow bermuda grass to about 1.5 to 2 inches, while St. Augustinegrass should be kept taller, at 2.5 to 3 inches.
- For cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, mow to a height of 2 to 3 inches.
Use sharp mower blades to make clean cuts, reducing the risk of lawn disease and drought stress. Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day to minimize stress on the grass blades.
3. Minimize Foot Traffic to Protect Grass Roots
Dry weather can weaken the root system of your lawn, making it more susceptible to damage from foot traffic. Limit walking and playing on the grass during periods of drought to reduce compaction and stress on the grass roots.
Consider adding landscaping features like pathways or mulch-covered areas to direct foot traffic away from the lawn.
4. Aerate Your Lawn to Promote Deep Root Growth
Aerating your lawn before drought conditions intensify can help improve soil structure and promote deeper roots. Use a core aerator to remove small plugs of soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the root system.
It also reduces soil compaction, making it easier for grass roots to grow deeper and access water during dry spells.
5. Use Mulch to Conserve Moisture and Protect New Grass
Applying mulch around trees, shrubs, and flower beds helps retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation.
For your lawn, leave grass clippings after mowing to act as natural mulch, returning nutrients to the soil and helping to retain moisture.
If you’re planting new grass, add a thin layer of mulch to help maintain soil moisture during the germination process.
6. Dethatch to Allow Water to Reach the Root System
Thatch buildup—excess organic material between grass blades and soil—can prevent water from reaching the root system.
If the thatch layer is thicker than half an inch, use a dethatching rake or machine to remove it.
Dethatching allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the soil, supporting root growth and helping your lawn stay healthy during periods of drought.
7. Overseed With Drought-Resistant Grass Seed
Overseeding your lawn with drought-tolerant grass seed helps improve its ability to survive dry weather. Choose grass types like fine fescue and perennial ryegrass, which require less water and establish quickly.
Do it in early fall for cool-season grasses or late spring to early summer for warm-season grasses.
8. Apply Herbicides Carefully to Prevent Lawn Disease
Drought conditions can make your lawn more vulnerable to lawn disease and weed infestations.
Use pre-emergent herbicides to prevent weeds like crabgrass from competing with your grass for water. Apply them sparingly and only when necessary to avoid stressing your lawn further during dry weather.
9. Allow Your Lawn to Enter Dormancy if Necessary
If water restrictions are severe and drought conditions persist, allow your lawn to enter dormancy. Dormant grass turns brown, but the root system remains alive and can green up when weather conditions improve.
Grasses that go dormant include:
Warm-Season
- Bermudagrass
- Zoysiagrass
- St. Augustinegrass
- Centipedegrass
Cool-Season
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Perennial Ryegrass
- Fine Fescue
- Tall Fescue
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my lawn is receiving too much or too little water during a drought?
Check your lawn by stepping on the grass—if it doesn’t spring back, it may need water. Too much water causes soggy soil, yellowing grass, and shallow root growth, weakening drought resistance.
What are some low-maintenance alternatives to traditional grass lawns in drought-prone areas?
Consider drought-resistant ground covers like clover, creeping thyme, or artificial turf, which require less water and maintenance while still providing green space and visual appeal year-round.
How can I improve my soil to help my lawn better withstand drought conditions?
Enrich your soil with organic matter like compost to improve water retention and root growth while reducing the need for frequent watering, making your lawn more drought-tolerant.
