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What Should You Do If Your Lawn Is Always Dry?

Are you a nature-lover who enjoys spending time outside in your yard on hot summer days? A well-manicured lawn can really add to the aesthetic of your home. However, if your lawn is always dry, it can be a real pain to try and keep it looking nice, and you’ll probably opt to stay indoors, too! 

If you’re not sure what should you do if your lawn is always dry, keep reading to find out more about how to deal with a dry lawn. 

How To Fix A Lawn That Is Always Too Dry

What Should You Do If Your Lawn Is Always Dry?

If you’re dealing with a dry lawn, there are a few things you can do to help it stay healthy and green all summer long. 

One of the best things you can do for your dry lawn is to install a drip irrigation system. This type of system delivers water directly to the roots of your plants, which helps them to better absorb moisture. This will provide a slow, steady stream of water to your lawn and help it stay hydrated. 

An irrigation system is also very efficient, so you won’t have to worry about wasting water. Plus, it’s easy to install and use. And once it’s set up, you won’t have to worry about watering your entire lawn as often. It’s better to outsource this work to professionals; here are tips about how to choose one from our in-house irrigation expert, Trevor Lively.

Another great way to deal with a dry lawn is to install a rain gauge. This will help you to track how much rain your lawn is receiving, and you can adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

Meteorology with rain gauge in garden

If it looks like constant watering has left your lawn soaked, read this to learn more about how to dry wet soil fast.

If you live in an area with high temperatures and low rainfall, your lawn is probably pretty dry most of the time. But there are things you can do to help prevent it from getting too dry. Here are some tips:

  • Water your lawn early in the morning or evening when it’s cooler outside. 
    This will give the grass time to absorb the water before it gets too hot in the middle of the day, help reduce evaporation and ensure that your lawn gets the moisture it needs.
  • Use a lawn sprinkler system with timers. 
    A sprinkler system will help ensure that your lawn is getting enough water without you having to water it yourself.
    P.S. Check this out for more information on how long to leave your sprinkler on!
Lawn sprinkler spraying water over green grass

  • Install a drip irrigation system. 
    This will deliver water directly to the roots of your plants, which means less evaporation.
  • Put a rain gauge in your yard. 
    This will help you track how much rain your lawn is actually getting so you can adjust your watering accordingly.
    This video by YouTube user Connor Ward shows how to revive a dried-out, brown lawn:
YouTube player
  • Check the soil before you water. 
    Make sure that it is moist but not soggy. If it is too wet, the shallow roots of your plants can rot.
    For more information on how to fix dry, patchy grass, check out this video by YouTube user Lawn Tips:
YouTube player

What Causes A Lawn To Be Dry All The Time?

An abstract grass and dirt textures

Drought is the number one cause of a dry lawn. When less water is available, plants and grasses will not be able to thrive. There are other causes of a dry lawn, however, that you should be aware of. A dry lawn is a common problem during the summer months.

Other causes of a dry lawn include:

  • Excessively hot weather
  • Lack of irrigation
  • Poor drainage
  • Compacted soil
  • Improper mowing practices
  • Dog urine

If you are experiencing a dry lawn, it is important to take action. Depending on the cause, there are different solutions that you can try. Here are some of the most common reasons for dry lawns:

Poor Irrigation

A lack of irrigation is one of the most common causes of a dry lawn. If you are not watering deeply or evenly across the entire lawn, this can lead to brown patches and an overall unhealthy appearance. If you think inadequate watering might be the problem, try watering your lawn more frequently. 

To ensure that your lawn is getting enough water, use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle to water for 30 minutes per week or install a sprinkler system. 

Gardener's hand holds a hose with a sprayer and watered the plants in the garden

You may also want to install an irrigation system to make sure your lawn is getting enough water. A common rule of thumb is to apply one inch of water per week to your lawn, but this may need to be increased during periods of high heat and low rainfall. 

Be sure to check your local weather conditions and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. You can check the moisture level in your soil with a simple garden trowel. 

If you think you may be watering your lawn too little or too much, consider getting a soil moisture meter. These devices are inexpensive and easy to use, and they can help you determine how much water your lawn is actually receiving.

Poor Drainage

Poor drainage can also lead to a dry lawn. If your soil is compacted, it won’t drain properly and your grass will suffer as a result. This happens when the soil is packed down too tightly, which prevents water and nutrients from getting to the roots of the grass. If water is not draining properly from your lawn, it can lead to pooling and puddling on the surface. 

To improve drainage, you can install a French drain or sloped grading around the perimeter of your lawn. You can also add organic matter to your soil to help improve its ability to absorb water. 

Aerating your lawn can help improve drainage and prevent your grass from getting too wet. It can help solve this problem by breaking up the compacted soil and allowing air and moisture to reach the roots. 

Compacted Soil

Portrait of a senior man holding a shovel in his garden on a lovely spring day

Compacted soil can lead to brown patches in your grass. To loosen compacted soil, you can use a garden fork or tiller to aerate the ground. You can also add organic matter to help improve its structure.

Mowing Your Lawn Too Short

If you’re mowing your grass too short, this can also cause problems. When you cut your grass too short, you’re removing more of the leaves than the roots. This can lead to a dry lawn because the roots are what absorb moisture from the soil. Try mowing your lawn a bit higher to see if this makes a difference.

A Lack Of Nutrients

If you’re watering your lawn properly and it’s still dry, it may be due to a lack of nutrients. Your soil may need to be fertilized to help your grass grow healthily. You can also add organic matter to your soil to help improve its nutrient content. 

Thinking of adding weed and feed to help your grass grow? Read this for an in-depth look into how to go about it!

Dog Urine

Urine can have harmful properties if its composition is altered by prescription drugs, dehydration, high sodium levels, or full strength. This is because these substances can alter its pH, making it incompatible with the requirements of grass and soil. Excessive dog urine can cause dry, brown patches in your grass.

If this sounds a little too familiar, try putting sand on grass to fill up the patches!

FAQs

What Is A Dry State In America?

A dry state in America is a state that receives little to no rainfall for most of the year. These states experience dry climates with excess evaporation over minimal precipitation. 

What Is The Most Dry State?

The most dry state in America is Nevada, which receives approximately 241mm of rain every year. Seeing as it’s located in the western part of the country, Nevada experiences an arid or semi-arid climate. 

Now You Know What To Do If Your Lawn Is Always Dry!

Say goodbye to brown, patchy grass and hello to luscious, green grass! You should now have a good understanding of what causes a dry lawn and how to fix it. With the help of some nifty tools like a sprinkler system or rain gauge, your lawn will start looking as good as new in no time and you can start enjoying a beautiful green yard!

I hope you found this helpful! If you did, please feel free to leave us a comment below and share it with a friend.

About The Authors

  • Nadya Jones

    Nadya's the creative mind behind this blog, sharing her passion for landscaping, gardening and making spaces that nourish the soul. An entrepreneur and writer based in Raleigh, NC, Nadya turns imaginative ideas into inspiration, fueling home and garden dreams. Though Nadya crafts gorgeous posts and photos showcasing lush yards or blooming gardens, the real magic happens behind the scenes where Nadya's partner Brett provides endless support, implementing each vision with care and dedication. Brett's the one ensuring her creative concepts come to life. At heart, Nadya remains an imaginative soul, forever dreaming of whimsical details, vibrant hues and lush landscapes. Each manicured edge or blossoming bloom fuels inspiration, expanding her vision of what's possible in design and life. She shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design in her blog, the one you are visiting right now. If you are interested in the same things, be sure to check it out! Also, follow Nadya on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

  • Jenn Peters

    Jenn Peters is an experienced content manager and editor who holds a degree in English and certifications in Social Media Marketing and Copywriting from the College of Media and Publishing. She has been working for ANestWithAYard since 2018. In addition, Jenn works as a content editor for Valnet across 7 company sites, publishing numerous articles weekly. Connect with Jenn on LinkedIn.

Photo of author

About The Author

Nadya Jones

Nadya's the creative mind behind this blog, sharing her passion for landscaping, gardening and making spaces that nourish the soul. An entrepreneur and writer based in Raleigh, NC, Nadya turns imaginative ideas into inspiration, fueling home and garden dreams. Though Nadya crafts gorgeous posts and photos showcasing lush yards or blooming gardens, the real magic happens behind the scenes where Nadya's partner Brett provides endless support, implementing each vision with care and dedication. Brett's the one ensuring her creative concepts come to life. At heart, Nadya remains an imaginative soul, forever dreaming of whimsical details, vibrant hues and lush landscapes. Each manicured edge or blossoming bloom fuels inspiration, expanding her vision of what's possible in design and life. She shares her love for landscaping, gardening, and outdoor design in her blog, the one you are visiting right now. If you are interested in the same things, be sure to check it out! Also, follow Nadya on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Flickr!

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