Hot, dry summers in Minnesota are tough on lawns. Without the right amount of water, your turf can turn brown, thin out, or succumb to disease. Unfortunately, weather seems to be getting more extreme in Minnesota and Wisconsin leading to more drought periods. With the right watering and maintenance strategies, you can keep your lawn green and growing even during a drought. Here’s how…
Watering Strategies to Keep Your Lawn Healthy in a Dry Minnesota Summer
1. Don’t “Set It and Forget It” with irrigation
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is setting their irrigation timers in spring and never touching them all summer. Your lawn’s water needs change throughout the season based on rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind. When it’s hot and dry, your lawn will need more water. When it cools off or rains, it needs less. Tip: Adjust your irrigation system weekly based on actual conditions. Just a few minutes more or less can make a big difference in lawn health and water conservation.
2. Pay Attention to Local Watering Restrictions
Most cities have some sort of watering restrictions in place. Those that limit time of day, usually restrict midday watering, which is entirely valid and should be followed. Those that resitrict which days can be a bit more problematic for scheduling. To work with day restrictions, look ahead at the forecast and adjust accordingly. Those that limit you to two days per week often require watering in the morning and the evening to deliver the appropriate amount of water.
3. Test Your Irrigation System
Watering isn’t just about how long you run your system, but it’s about how much water your lawn gets. Shallow watering leads to shallow roots, which is dangerous in drought conditions.
Here are two simple ways to check:
- Pull a soil plug: Use a probe or shovel to pull up a section of the soil after watering. Water should reach 4-6 inches deep.
- Use cups or cans: Place a few empty containers around your yard when watering to see how much water your system puts out for the run time.
4. Use our Weekly Watering Updates
Not sure how much to water? We’ve got you covered. bioLawn customers can receive a weekly newsletter with watering recommendations based on current lawn conditions and the upcoming weather. This helps you stay proactive and keep your lawn healthy – without wasting water. Ready to sign up? Reach out to our office to sign up for this newsletter.
Maintenance Strategies to Keep Your Lawn Healthy in a Dry Minnesota Summer
1. Mow Higher
Taller grass shades the soil and encourages deeper roots. Set your mower to 4 inches or higher.
2. Sharpen Your Mower Blades
Dull blades tear the grass, making it lose more moisture and become more susceptible to drought stress.
3. Mulch Clippings
Leave grass clippings on the lawn to help retain water. As an added benefit your lawn will get some nutrients.
4. Aerate in the Fall
If the soil is compacted, roots can’t grow deep and water can’t infiltrate.