Signs Your Lawn is Suffering from Heat Stress

With most of summer behind us, your lawn might be showing signs of struggle due to the high temperatures. But how can you tell if your lawn is experiencing heat stress?

In this blog, we’ll help you identify the signs that your lawn might be under heat stress and what to do about it.

Signs to Look For:

  • Wilting or losing colour.
  • If you walk across your lawn and leave a noticeable footprint behind, your lawn is likely lacking water. If the footprint bounces back, your lawn should be well-hydrated. This is known as the “footprint test.”

Video from Lawn Solutions.

 

  • A blue to grey colouration appears, before it starts to die off.
  • The grass becomes dry and crusty, turning a light brown colour.

dry grass

 

Why Are There Brown Patches on My Lawn?

In many cases, this is due to the soil in these patches becoming hydrophobic and/or compacted.

After long periods of dry weather, soils can become dehydrated, exposing a hydrophobic surface that prevents water from soaking in effectively.

The solution here are wetting agents. These work like a detergent or surfactant, attracting water to the soil’s surface and improve infiltration in these areas. This helps minimise water run-off, promotes deeper root development, and makes your lawn more resilient to drought.

We recommend Baileys Grosorb Soil Wetter, available in concentrate, granules, and hose-on formulas. This game-changing product, is a professional grade soil wetter, tailor-made to overcome hydrophobic conditions common to Australian soils.

wetting agent

Efficient Watering is the Key

Warm-season grasses like buffalo, couch, kikuyu, and zoysia will go dormant during hot and dry conditions, conserving energy to maintain plant health. They’ll bounce back with increased leaf growth once conditions improve. However, in some cases, especially during extended dry spells, your lawn may start to suffer further. In these situations, it’s essential to water your lawn properly and efficiently.

To water efficiently, make sure you:

  • Water your lawn early in the morning, before the heat of the day, to reduce heat-related evaporation.
  • Water less frequently, but for longer periods, to ensure the water soaks into the soil and reaches the roots.
  • Water evenly across your lawn. The best way to do this is with an irrigation system or soaker hoses.

For more watering tips, check out our blog 5 Tips for Watering Your Lawn.

irrigation system and soaking hose

To install a new irrigation system or upgrade an existing one, request your free quote here.

As always, any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us via phone – (08) 8326 3255 or via email – enquiries@akersoflawn.com.au.