How to Recovery Lawn Heat Stress

Lots of sun, little rain and high temperatures: for many people it is the perfect summer weather. Plants and trees, on the other hand, suffer from the persistent heat and drought. And while we humans can protect ourselves from burning with sunscreen, our garden is at the mercy of the sun. The lawn in particular is often in the blazing sun all day long and can make Lawn Heat Stress. If the grasses are not watered sufficiently, the garden will resemble a yellow-brown steppe after just a few days: the lawn will be burned. 

Basically, most lawn grasses are well adapted to summer drought. If the drought lasts longer, however, this is also a heavy burden for these plants. After just a few days, brown and yellow spots can appear on the once beautiful green area. Even if the lawn plants are watered regularly, this does not necessarily protect them from burning. Especially in places that are frequently entered, the soil is often heavily compacted. Water and oxygen will then not be able to penetrate to the roots. And incorrect watering can also damage the lawn: If the lawn is wet during the day, the water droplets in the sun act like a burning glass and burn the grasses.

How to Prevent & Recovery Lawn Heat Stress?

To prevent the lawn from Heat Stress in the first place, it should be watered regularly. However, a lot of watering is not enough. The best time for watering is between 4 and 8 o'clock in the morning. At this time it is the coldest, because the sun has not yet warmed the air. The water then does not evaporate as quickly and can penetrate deep into the soil to the roots.

How much to water depends on various factors. Basically, the lawn needs at least as much water as evaporates on the surface during the day. At temperatures of 25 degrees, this is about 4 liters per square meter, at 35 degrees already 6 liters. But the type of grass and the nature of the soil also influence how much water the lawn needs.

Using Fertilizer for Heat Stressed Lawn

Fertilizer can also help to regenerate the lawn that has turned yellow. However using the fertilizer very sparingly. Because lawn fertilizer often contains salt, some varieties also burn the grasses if they are over-fertilized.

If the lawn consists of grass varieties for a perfect ornamental lawn or a high-quality sports lawn, the cure is more radical: The lawn should then be cut short and possibly even scarified. Then the piece must be reseeded. Fertilizer and regular watering will soon cause the grasses to sprout.

If the lawn does not recover despite all the care measures, then hobby gardeners should get professional help. A gardener can check the cause of the burnt lawn and help keep the garden green again.