The concept of a lawn as we know it today was brought to people’s attention under the French monarchy; it was a symbol of wealth that visualized to the world that the rich could afford to have their ground look pretty instead of functional. Today, lawns are a prevalent part of every household. Are you concerned about how to water your lawn in hot weather?
Everyone with a lawn in their home, small or big, wishes to make it as beautiful and lush green as possible. Maintaining this green carpet is easy for people living in areas where the temperature does not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are from a hot region, you worry about your plants; you worry about them burning under the scorching sun and having to deal with brown cover all over your grounds which were once carpeted with a soothing green.
There are many tips and tricks when you water your lawn in hot weather beneficial to ensure the best growth and health of the grass. But first, we would like to address a common myth to water your lawn in hot weather..
The Truth Behind Watering Your Plants in The Heat
There have long been myths surrounding why you should not water your plants when the sun is out, and the weather is hot. The basis or reasoning for these myths was that the water droplets that lay on the blades of grass on your lawn act as a lens, magnifying the sun rays and burning the blades.
Horticultural experts have refuted these claims repeatedly and said that the water lying on blades during a hot sunny day could not act as a lens because the heat causes evaporation and leaves the lawn dry. It is recommended not to water your lawn in hot weather because it will evaporate far too quickly for any water to seep deep into the grounds; instead, it will evaporate from the surface. This practice ends up wasting water and not helping the grass feed with the water it needs.
The best time to water your lawn in hot weather is to make sure that the water you give your lawn is soaked into the soil. You must ensure that you water it in the early morning or late evening. When you water it, you must ensure that you give it a nice healthy soak, so all the water is penetrated deep into the soil feeding its roots. Experts suggest that you should not water your lawn frequently. Instead, they suggest that you water your lawn thoroughly for one day and then leave the lawn for the next week or so. Some even suggest letting a little yellow ting enter the green blades before you water it again.
Well-established lawns do not need much watering, but to ensure your lawn survives the heat, you might want to soak it once in a while. We must acknowledge that plants can reduce water loss from their tissues during hot sunny weather, so we must not fret too much about the plant’s water needs.
It should also be our priority to reduce water usage in hot, dry summers, so watering your lawn thoroughly once is a good choice instead of frequently watering your lawn in smaller amounts. A good soak may feel like using a lot of water, but you are saving water by watering your lawn once.
Grass Varieties that thrive in the extreme weather conditions
Believe it or not, there is a variety of these green blades, and the wide varieties thrive in different climate conditions. Having covered the best time to water your lawn in hot weather, we must also consider the options for the best grass varieties for our climate. If you live in a generally hot region, you might want to consider the grass you are growing on your lawn because it will impact the overall look of your house, your soil, and the water used.
The following are different varieties of grass that will do well in hot and sunny environments overall:
1. Zoysia
The Zoysia variety is dark green with short prickly blades. It is drought, heat tolerant and can survive in semi-shade. This grass grows through rhizomes in the soil. Athletic fields and golf courses are the most common places where you will find these grasses.
We put this variety on the top of the list for its lush appearance and its ability to survive under low water conditions
2. Bermuda
Initially sourced from Africa, this grass prefers full sun, and its roots are best in somewhat moist soil. The Bermuda grass has a weed-like growth, with spiky branches extending out and spreading across different surfaces. This grass is commonly seen on commercial sides and in landscaping in warmer climates.
3. St. Augustine
The St. Augustine grass has narrow tips and beautiful green blades. This variety does well in full sun, but it is shade tolerant. This variety is a popular choice among residential lawns. Still, it should be noted that this variety does not do very well in high-traffic areas, meaning that a lot of movement on the lawn may damage the grass.
4. Centipede
The Centipede grass is a coarse green, slow-growing variety of grass that spreads through stolons above the ground. This variety’s demands for solid are a little more extensive, such as a more sand-based soil with a pH between 5.0 – 6.0. This plant does not enter dormancy in the winter, keeping its blades green, but it is known that extreme and intermittent conditions may damage the grass. The Centipede type can grow well even under high traffic conditions, which explains why it is most commonly found in parks, school yards, and home lawns.
The grass variety goes on, but the ones listed above are some of the ones we prefer the most.
Tips to water your lawn in hot weather
Don’t Cut Your Lawn Too Short
The first tip we would give is for you not to cut your lawn too short. In hot weather, try to keep your grass a little bit longer. Say around ⅓ of the green blades should still be standing. Keeping them longer is beneficial as the roots grow longer and strong, making the grass more tolerant to stress. In addition to helping it withstands stress, it helps the lawn keep cool as fewer tissues from the plant have been removed.
Mow Your Lawn with Sharp Blades Only
The second tip we have for helping your lawn through the stress of hot summer is to keep the blades of your lawn mower sharp. Cutting your grass with blunt blades causes significant stress and slows recovery time. When cut with sharp blades, the grass heals faster and is not under as much stress as it would have been under blunt blades.
Avoid Fertilizer
Our third tip is not to add fertilizer to your lawn during hot weather. The fertilizer we add to our plants increases salt near the roots, which, in hot weather conditions, will harm the plant as it will be stressed even further.
Reduce Traffic on The Lawn
The last tip we have is to reduce foot traffic on the lawn. When the weather is sweltering and sunny, your lawn needs a little extra tender loving care. So, your task during this dry time is to reduce the stress level on your lawn, which you can do by reducing traffic on the lawn. Don’t walk on the grass during the duration of the hot weather. This helps reduce the stress on the lawn and will ensure that your lawn will recover with ease as the temperature decreases.
Conclusion
In recent times lawns are a common ground we grow outside our house. Everyone loves a green carpeted floor that helps tie the house’s look together. We risk losing the lush green carpets to the scorching sun in hot and sunny weather. Above are the grass varieties that thrive in scorching weather. Also, following the tips can reduce stress on your lawn during the hot weather.
Additionally, knowing the best time to water your lawn in hot weather is crucial. Do research before selecting the grass for your lawn because that significantly impacts your garden.
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