Gardeners have been warned not to water their brown lawn (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
A drought which has seen no rain fall for more than two weeks in some parts of the UK, while heatwave temperatures continue, has led to hosepipe bans and struggling gardens this July.
With little chance of rain any time soon for most of the UK, according to the Met Office’s latest forecasts, garden experts have issued a warning to gardeners with brown lawns.
They have stressed that lawn grass turning brown during extended droughts and heatwaves is normal, and that it’s a bad idea to waste water keeping your grass green.
Laura Bradbury, Head of Ecommerce at Vonhaus, said: “After several spells of hot and dry weather, many lawns will already have lost some of their green colour. While this can be frustrating, established grass is often more resilient than it looks and may recover once cooler temperatures and regular rainfall return.
“Rather than using limited water on the entire lawn, homeowners should prioritise the plants that need it most, including containers, hanging baskets, vegetables and anything recently planted.
“Adding mulch around flower beds and containers can also help the soil retain moisture for longer, reducing how often plants need to be watered.
“Gardeners should also adapt how they use their lawn mower while the grass is dry and under stress. Mowing less frequently and raising the cutting height allows the grass to remain slightly longer, which helps shade the soil and retain moisture. If the lawn has stopped actively growing, it may be better to leave it until conditions improve.
“At this stage of the summer, the aim does not need to be keeping every part of the garden perfectly green. Prioritising vulnerable plants and making small changes to garden maintenance can help outdoor spaces cope until cooler and wetter weather returns.”
Grass experts from The Grass People and Lawnsmith have backed up this advice.
They said that gardeners in the South of England in particular should not panic about browning lawns after multiple water supply companies issued hosepipe bans to combat the ongoing heatwave.
Chris McIlroy, lawn expert at The Grass People, said: “What gardeners need to identify is whether they’re looking at lawn dormancy or death.
“During extreme heat, cool-season grasses such as ryegrass and fescue can enter dormancy. This can look dramatic but it’s not lawn death. The roots can still be alive and well underneath, and your lawn is just focusing its energy protecting this area.
“Uniform browning across the lawn, dry and crumbly soil and grass blades that snap easily are all signs that your lawn is dormant.
“Patchy browning, signs of fungal growth such as mould or a pinkish tinge and mushy water-logged soil are signs your lawn could be dying.”
South East Water introduced an official temporary ban covering most of Kent from Friday 3 July. And Southern Water has brought in restrictions from Friday 10 July, impacting customers in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. South West Water also introduced restrictions in parts of Devon on Tuesday 14 July.
These bans restrict the use of a hosepipe connected to a mains tap but not water itself. A lawn can still be hydrated using a watering can.
Jonathan Davis, a grass expert at Lawnsmith, said: “If you have a hosepipe ban or are just trying to make the most of your watering efforts, water early in the morning. This means water is more likely to reach its roots, rather than just evaporate in the heat.
“Deep infrequent watering encourages grass to grow stronger, deeper roots which makes it more resilient during heatwaves.
“This can be tricky with a watering can if you’re unable to use a hosepipe, but lawns can be resilient, and even if they turn brown, the green, vibrant appearance can come back when normal weather returns.
“It’s easy to panic and overdo it with lawn treatments when you spot browning but really it’s best to leave them alone. Avoid fertilising, aerating and mowing and be careful about overwatering, as this could stress the lawn more.”
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