Help Your Lawn Survive The Heat
What can I do to help my lawn survive the hot summer?
Warm season turf grass species commonly used in Australia need very little water to survive and are very hardy. They will lose colour, become brown and dry, with little to no leaf growth. However they will generally sit dormant until the next rain or irrigation event. In summer when temperatures are really high, grasses can enter a state of dormancy where they shut down tissue growth to preserve moisture loss.You can usually tell if a lawn is dormant rather than dead by looking at the crown at the base of the leaves. If the crown is white to off white, it is likely that it is still alive. A dead lawn will be dry, brown and brittle across the entire plant – the leaves, the roots and the crown.
You can help your lawn beat the summer heat by:
Remove thatch – Removing dead material from the lawn profile will help the living plant to absorb all the available moisture.
Aeration – Improving the ability for water to penetrate to the roots will be important to take best advantage of water when it is available, but also to improve moisture in the soil where it is needed during the next dry spell.
Stay off the lawn – Your grass is already having a hard time and the drier it is, the more it is likely to be damaged and not be able to recover from foot traffic or additional wear.
Water effectively – When you can water, do so for longer, less frequently. Encourage deeper roots that can delve deeper into the soil to find moisture. This will allow your lawn to stay hydrated for longer, even if there has been an extended period without rain.
Apply a wetting Agent – Hydrophobic soil is caused by the decomposition of organic matter, which leaves a wax like substance forming a coating on soil particles. A wetting agent like Aqua Force Liquid Wetting Agent will break down this coating allow water to penetrate.
After long periods of dry weather, soils can become dehydrated and this is when the hydrophobic surface is exposed. This surface stops water from penetrating. A wetting agent like Aqua Force will help break down this surface tension and help water to soak in.
Mowing – The key to your lawn mowing in summer is to make sure you mow during the cooler time of the day and to mow regularly. You want to keep on top of the leaf growth, so you don’t remove too much at a time. Removing more than a third of the leaf at any one time, will cause stress to the grass roots.
How much water does grass need?
Water is fundamental for grass to transport nutrients. It helps maintain cell structure and for it to create its own food through the process of photosynthesis.For the most part, this water requirement will be met through rainfall or soil moisture storage.If the roots cannot maintain this level of moisture to the leaf, the leaves will close their stomata. Stomata are cells that form the pores of the leaf surface. When the stomata are closed, there will be limited growth due to its inability to take in carbon dioxide.
When should I irrigate?
The simple answer is – when your lawn needs it. It is important that you only irrigate your lawn when there is not enough rainfall to meet the needs of your lawn. When you do water, do so within the rules outlined by local water restrictions.
A commercial grade liquid wetting agent for use in severely hydrophobic soils.
Baileys Grosorb Liquid RTU enables water to penetrate hydrophobic soils and assists absorption, movement and retention
Bi-Agra wetting agent is a new innovation in the fight against hydrophobic soils. A moisture retaining aid as well it is great for lawns and gardens.
Baileys Grosorb Liquid Concentrate enables water to penetrate hydrophobic soils and assists absorption, movement and retention.
Knights Wetta is a professional-grade liquid wetting agent for treating and preventing hydrophobic soil in Perth lawns. Perth's sandy soils are highly susceptible to water repellency — over time, a coating of organic compounds builds up on sand particles that causes water to bead off rather than penetrate. The result is that even regular watering fails to reach the root zone, leaving lawns dry and stressed despite appearing adequately irrigated.
Knights Wetta breaks down this hydrophobic coating, restoring the soil's ability to absorb and hold moisture. Applied through a hose-on applicator or diluted in a sprayer, it works within days — the simple test of pouring water on a treated area and watching it soak in rather than bead off confirms the difference immediately.
Apply every 6 to 8 weeks through the growing season, or when signs of water repellency appear — dry patches that remain brown despite watering, water running off the surface, or soil that feels dry below the surface even after irrigation.
Compatible with all turf varieties and safe for use on all soil types.