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Protecting, Nurturing and Beautifying Landscapes in the Hamptons Since 1980

Lawn Heat Stress

Heat stress is heat stress occurs during consistently hot, dry weather when a lawn is experiencing moisture loss.  Lawns suffering from heat stress often experience discoloration either to entire blades of grass or just the tips. 

Heat stress can be difficult to diagnose since other issues such as insect damage and disease can cause grass to turn straw colored or brown.  If you can push a screwdriver into your turf then you lawn probably has adequate moisture.

If you walk on your lawn and see your footprint for a while those are ghost print. That means your lawn is drying out and needs water.

Check for soil gaps by looking between the grass and the sidewalk or driveway.  A lawn that is experiencing drought  leaves a noticeable gap.

Heat stress can be reduced by early morning watering deeply and infrequently so water is adequately absorbed.

I you area is experiencing drought from high temperatures and lack of water your cool and warm season grasses can go dormant as a protective measure. During times of prolonged drought without irrigation, grass turns brown. If grass turns brown, don’t irrigate it unless you plan to continue watering the rest of the summer. When grass is no longer in dormancy, roots are depleted of food reserves, and plants are susceptible to further stresses. I can take up to 3 or 4 weeks of watering to bring back the health of your grass.

A lawn can also turn brown from insects such as Grubs. Or Cinch Bugs.  Other insects may eat grass blades which causes brown patches if lawn is mowed too closely.      

The best way to avoid summer damage on your lawn is to follow a sound lawn care program.  This goes all the way back to what you do to your lawn from early fall through your spring applications.  Did you water and provide proper fertilization. Was the lawn mowed properly?

Consult a lawn and landscape trained specialist to keep your lawn looking stress free and looking good.