Are you wondering how to keep your lawn green during the dry season? Even during a drought, there are some ways to establish and maintain a bright, solid turf. Grass is a pleasant addition to any home, and you shouldn't have to give up on it just because the weather has changed. 

Choose (Or Switch To) The Right Grass

All grass varieties are not made equal. Bluegrass is generally recommended for cool weather and requires regular watering, but Bermuda grass can survive a drought and harsher climate. Bahia grass is often found in southern locations due to its hardy nature, while Fescue grass may or may not be suitable depending on the specific variety. Generally, hot, dry climates are best suited to Bermuda, St. Augustine, Centipede, Bahia and Zoysia grass.

Avoid Any Physical Damage

During the hottest and driest periods, you'll want to actively avoid traffic through your lawn. Place footpaths in your lawn to avoid the bulk of it. Your grass and its roots will be dry and brittle, so stepping on it could cause physical damage that will take a while to repair. If you have dogs, you may want to contain them to a single area and you should definitely be cautious of any digging or scratching behaviors.

Mow the Lawn Higher

Most people mow their lawn anywhere between 1.5 to 3 inches high. During the hotter, drier months, you may want to mow your lawn a little higher -- between 4 to 5 inches. A taller lawn will be a stronger lawn, as it will be able to more readily take in sunshine and water. Keep in mind that you will want to shorten your lawn slowly once the colder, wetter weather returns -- you should never mow your lawn down by more than a half inch to an inch at a time.

Avoid Fertilizing Your Lawn

You may have read on the back of your fertilizer bag that you should avoid over-fertilizing. This is because the chemicals in fertilizer need to be balanced in the soil -- "more" is not necessarily better. When your grass is in a hostile environment, it won't be using most of the nutrients in the dirt already. By fertilizing it at this point, you'll just be throwing the soil content off balance. Instead, fertilize your lawn after the worst has already passed. 

If you find that your grass has become weak, you may want to contact a professional lawn maintenance and lawn mowing service. It's always easier to recover a lawn the earlier you begin work on it. Should your lawn die, it's likely that you will need to start over from scratch. To find out more about lawn care, speak with a business like Williams Lawn Care & Landscaping, Inc.