When summer heat arrives and rain becomes scarce, many New England homeowners notice their lawns turning brown. This common problem, known as drought stress, can cause grass to lose its healthy color and vigor. But, as Dr. Jim Wilkinson explains in this Healthy Lawns segment, the key to keeping your lawn green is catching drought stress early—before your grass starts to fade.
Early Signs of Drought Stress
Most people recognize drought stress only after their lawn begins to brown. However, trained lawn care professionals—like the experts at SeaScape Lawn Care—can spot the signs much sooner.
One of the first red flags is when grass blades don’t spring back up after being stepped on or mowed. Instead, footprints or mower wheel marks remain visible on the turf. This “footprint test” is a strong indication that your grass is thirsty and struggling.
Why Watering Early Matters
Once drought stress sets in, it can take weeks of proper watering to bring your lawn back to life. That’s why SeaScape recommends watering before the lawn turns brown. The goal is to keep soil moisture levels steady so your grass remains resilient against heat and dry weather.
In New England, lawns need about one inch of water per week—whether it comes from rainfall or irrigation. Without it, grass quickly shifts into drought stress mode and begins to shut down.
Watering Tips for a Healthy Lawn
- Measure your watering. Use a rain gauge or a small container to track how much water your lawn is getting each week.
- Water deeply, not daily. A deep soak encourages stronger root growth, making grass more drought-tolerant.
- Morning is best. Watering early in the day reduces evaporation and helps grass absorb moisture efficiently.
SeaScape’s Role in Lawn Health
SeaScape’s fertilization and lawn care programs are designed to strengthen your grass so it can better withstand stress from heat and drought. Healthy, well-fed lawns bounce back faster after dry spells, resist disease, and maintain rich color longer.
Bottom line: By learning to recognize early signs of drought stress and maintaining a consistent watering schedule, you can protect your lawn from turning brown this summer. And with SeaScape’s expertise in lawn nutrition, your grass will have the strength it needs to thrive—even in tough weather conditions.
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safest products and our technicians pride themselves with safety and environmental protection measures. SeaScape will call ahead before all lawn care applications and weeds are always spot-treated to avoid unnecessary ‘blanket’ applications. After all treatments, our technicians will clean driveways and walks of all products.