Lawn care tips for recovering from heatwave damage

Following extreme heatwaves and drought, gardeners are seeking ways to restore parched and brown lawns. Experts suggest that even heavily dried grass can recover if managed correctly through proper care and patience.

Key recommendations for lawn recovery include:

- Mowing habits: During hot periods, it is advised not to cut grass too short. Keeping blades longer helps protect the soil from direct sunlight and reduces moisture evaporation. Experts suggest removing no more than one-third of the grass length.

- Post-rain care: Once sufficient rainfall or watering has occurred, the regeneration phase begins. This is an ideal time to mow and fertilize the lawn to provide strength and help it compete against weeds.

- Patch repair: For completely bare spots where grass no longer grows, loosening the soil and applying fresh grass seed can help new areas grow within a few weeks.

Gardener Helmut Schieder notes that browning is a stress reaction or a 'summer dormancy' caused by lack of water. While brown tufts often recover once temperatures drop and water is available, completely bald patches may require reseeding.