PROTECT YOUR LAWN FROM EXTREME HEAT | Southern California (2024)

FAQs

PROTECT YOUR LAWN FROM EXTREME HEAT | Southern California? ›

When it comes to mowing, keeping grass a little longer during a drought can provide much-needed shade to reserve moisture. Keep foot traffic to a minimum during a drought as well because under-watered grass doesn't not fare well with trauma. After a drought, reintroducing water correctly is key.

WATERING SCHEDULE

Deep watering helps to encourage deep root growth. Deeper roots stay cooler and stronger to better protect your lawn and garden from heat stress. Allow a deep watering at least once per week, twice if the temperature exceeds 100 degrees or more for several days in a row.

Increase shade

If possible, increase the shade your grass receives by planting bigger plants or trees next to your lawn.

'There isn't an exact temperature limit for cutting grass in hot weather, but when there are sustained temperatures above 90˚F, turf struggles to retain the moisture that it needs, especially when there is a lack of rainfall. ' Some grass varieties suffer more than others, advises Stacie.

As a general rule, it is ideal to water a lawn in hot weather infrequently, yet thoroughly, instead of lightly misting in various times of the day.

Once temperatures reach 77 degrees, it becomes too hot for root growth, and root growth ceases. When temperatures reach 90 degrees, it becomes too hot for shoot growth and the grasses stop growing and begin to fall dormant, with the surface grass turning a brown hue.

A mowing height between 2.5 to 3 inches is best for most of the season, except during summer stresses when the lawn mowing height should be raised one-half inch to mow at 3 to 3.5 inches. Raising the mowing height provides more insulation from summer heat and reduces water loss from your soil.

If you want to fertilize because the grass is growing slowly, keep in mind this is normal in hot weather. If you want to make the lawn look healthier, do not fertilize in high temperatures if the lawn is dry. Applying fertilizer during dormancy or normal slow growth will not provide proper nourishment.

How to stop grass scorching? ›

Our advice would be to keep watering your lawns, in the evening or early morning, to avoid any further damage caused by dry conditions. If possible, soak the lawn and concentrate primarily on areas which see full sun for long spells during the day, once a fortnight only.

Heat Tolerance

Bermudagrass is extremely heat tolerant — daytime temperatures of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal. Pennington Bermudagrass yields dense, resilient, heat-tolerant lawns. Zoysia grass, Centipede grass and Bahiagrass also tolerate high heat very well.

Often this is due to improper watering to keep your lawn healthy. Other signs and symptoms of heat stress include the following: Compacted lawns make it hard for moisture to reach the root and would greatly benefit from aeration. To check your lawn, you can take a knife or screwdriver and stab it into the lawn.

Once your grass has come out of its dormant state, you may be wondering when you should start cutting it again. Generally speaking, if it is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it is still considered to be too cold to mow your lawn. The ideal temperatures to mow are between 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don't Cut Your Grass too Short

It is important to know that some types of grass have different growth habitats and their ideal mowing height should be taken into consideration, such as cool-season grass and warm-season grass types. 3 to 4 inches is a good height to keep your lawn during a heatwave.

How can I revive brown grass? For brown or yellowing grass, proper irrigation and soil enrichment are key. Rake dead spots, plant new grass seed, water regularly, and use high-phosphorus fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.