This is the eighteenth in a series of articles from the Eco Team at St Columba’s, which are also published in our church magazine.

Many of us have been very concerned about the state of our garden lawns with hosepipe bans in many parts of the country following our abnormally hot summer.

So here are some tips to help you when rain finally arrives.

After weeks of hot dry weather your lawn could be looking a little worse for wear. The Good News is burnt grass is not necessarily dead grass. During long dry spells grass can become dormant to protect itself. Once the rain returns your lawn will soon begin to wake up, recover and turn green again but do give your lawn time
to bounce back.

Don’t panic! When the rain finally arrives it can be tempting to expect an instant transformation but recovery does not happen overnight. Here are a few simple ways to help your lawn recover and get it fully at its best again.

Don’t rush to mow! Resist the urge to grab the mower at the first sign of new growth. Give your lawn time before returning to your usual mowing routine. When you do mow keep the blade high and avoid cutting the grass too short. Dry compact soil can struggle to absorb rain. Make every drop of rain count, it needs
to reach the roots so patience is needed.

Expect uneven recovery. Some areas will spring back surprisingly quickly while bare, thin or damaged patches may need a helping hand. With the right care,  including hydration techniques, these can be repaired to bring back a fuller, more even looking lawn.

Remember. Autumn is your lawn’s recovery time, with cooler temperatures and more reliable rainfall giving tired lawns the perfect conditions for recovery.

So if your lawn is looking tired and brown right now, don’t worry it may simply be waiting for the weather to change. Once rain arrives and conditions improve it will soon be back to normal.