How to maintain a healthy lawn during the hot weather and hosepipe ban!

Merlin Lawn Care
Aug 12, 2025
2 min read

Maintaining a lush, green lawn during the UK's increasingly hot summers is challenging, especially when hosepipe bans are in effect. Water restrictions, coupled with intense heat, can stress grass, leading to brown patches and brittle blades. However, with strategic care and sustainable practices, you can help your lawn endure and recover from these tough conditions.

🌿 Understanding Lawn Dormancy

During prolonged dry spells, established lawns may enter a dormant state, turning brown but remaining alive at the roots. This natural response allows grass to survive without water for several weeks. Once regular rainfall resumes, most lawns can recover without lasting damage.

💧 Smart Watering Techniques

When water use is restricted, it's crucial to maximize efficiency:

Water During Cooler Periods: If watering is permitted, do so early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation. Deep watering is much more effective when carried out 2 to 3 times per week to ensure that the water reaches the root system and less is lost to evaporation
Utilize Rainwater: Collect rainwater using water butts for future use during dry periods.
Apply Wetting Agents: These products help soil retain moisture more effectively, ensuring that any available water benefits your lawn. Soil can become hydrophobic during prolonged drought conditions and rewetting agents encourage water to penetrate the surface crust.

✂️ Mowing Adjustments

Proper mowing can reduce stress on your lawn:

Raise Mower Blades: Cutting grass to a height of 7–10 cm provides shade to the soil, reducing moisture loss.

Mow Less Frequently: During droughts, mow only when necessary to prevent additional stress.

🌱 Soil and Lawn Care

Enhance your lawn's resilience with these practices:

Aerate the Soil: Creating small holes in the lawn improves water and nutrient absorption.
Mulch Edges: Applying mulch around lawn edges helps retain soil moisture.
Avoid Fertilizing: Refrain from applying fertilizers during droughts, as they can further stress the grass. This has been our practice during prolonged dry spells as it has no benefit unless it is able to be dissolved and reach the rootzone.

🌼 Consider Drought-Tolerant Alternatives

If maintaining a traditional lawn becomes too challenging, consider alternative ground covers:

We offer both creeping Red Thyme and perennial Chamomile lawns should you wish to consider these options.
These plants are more drought tolerant and once established require less maintenance.

🌦️ Embrace Natural Resilience

Remember, grass is a resilient plant. Allowing it to go dormant during extreme conditions is a natural survival mechanism. With proper care and patience, your lawn can recover and thrive once favourable conditions return. We can offer all necessary advice and services to ensure this challenge can be met!

By adapting your lawn care practices to the challenges of hot weather and water restrictions, you can maintain a healthy and sustainable garden.