Lawn care strategies for repairing drought-stressed grass

Maintaining a healthy lawn after a hot, dry summer requires careful management of reseeding and fertilization. Brown patches do not always indicate dead grass; established roots may remain alive and ready to regrow once cooler temperatures and moisture return.

September is an ideal window for repairing bare spots. To reseed effectively, dead grass and moss should be raked away to expose soil. Using a drought-tolerant seed mix can help prepare the lawn for future dry spells. New seedlings require consistent moisture and should be protected from foot traffic and mowing for at least a month to allow roots to establish.

Applying fertilizer to a lawn stressed by heat or drought can be counterproductive. While nitrogen promotes green growth, forcing a dehydrated lawn to produce new growth can exacerbate stress. Homeowners should assess whether the grass actually needs nutrients or simply needs time to recover from environmental stressors before applying products.