Spring is the season when your lawn starts to shake off the dullness of winter and show signs of life. But what happens when spring arrives without the rain? A dry spell can make things tricky, but with a little know-how, you can still keep your lawn healthy and looking its best.

Mowing: less is more

When your lawn is dry, it’s tempting to stick to your usual mowing schedule. But if there’s been little to no rainfall, it’s best to ease off. Grass grows more slowly in dry conditions, so you won’t need to mow as often. Aim to cut no more than once every 10 to 14 days, depending on growth.

Crucially, don’t cut your grass too short. A longer lawn is more resilient in dry weather, helping to shade the soil and reduce evaporation. Set your mower blades higher than usual. Around 5cm (2 inches) is ideal. This gives your lawn a better chance to stay green and healthy without extra water.

Watering: should you or shouldn’t you?

For new lawns or recently laid turf, regular watering is essential until roots are fully established.

However, if your lawn is established, it can usually tolerate a short dry spell without any long-term damage. Grass goes dormant in dry conditions, turning brown to conserve energy, but this doesn’t mean it’s dead. As soon as the rain returns, it will bounce back.

It does look like rain is on the way, but should the dry weather continue for several weeks, it may be a good idea to water once a week in the early morning. This will help to encourage deep root growth. Shallow, daily watering might have an adverse effect as it may result in weak roots that are more vulnerable to drought.

Feeding: hold off on the fertiliser (for now)

Spring is typically a good time to feed your lawn, but during a dry spell, it may be better to wait. Applying fertiliser when the soil is dry can do more harm than good, and it can even scorch the grass. Fertilisers need moisture to break down and be absorbed properly, so delay feeding until after a decent rainfall.

When the time is right, choose a spring-specific lawn feed with balanced nutrients to support healthy growth. We all have our preferences, but organic options are a gentler alternative to some traditional feeds.

Weeding: tackle them while they’re small

Dry weather doesn’t stop weeds sprouting up! They will also compete with the grass for limited resources, especially nutrients and any moisture that’s available. If there aren’t too many weeds you can pull them out by hand or using a special tool. Keeping them under control now will avoid the need to use weedkiller later.

And finally!

Spring lawn care in a dry spell is all about balance. A light touch with the mower, a pause on fertiliser, timely weed control. Keep an eye on the forecast, be prepared to water if needed, and your lawn will thank you with verdant growth as soon as the rain returns.

If your lawn does suffer and you need to returf just get in contact. We will supply larger orders ourselves or recommend a local supplier of our turf.