Dry to Drought and your Lawn.

Unfortunately when dry continues fro a while, the probability of getting our rain deficit back soon is lower because dry has been the trend and will take some catching up. 

This can mean thinning and patchy dead areas when rains return.

• Normally lawns go dormant in late July and August, not June.

• ATTENTION- All lawns not normally watered could use a couple of good waterings to bridge the gap too late July/August's naturally dry and more normal dormancy period. If you normally are not watering in late July or August, no problem but if it get dry in June with a early dry trend that continues it has the potential to damage lawns, especially lawns already dry and cut too low because it extends the amount of time the lawn can naturally be dormant without damage. 

• If possible bridge the gap into July and then let it go dormant would be better for your lawn.

Adjustments will be made for the best possible outcome depending on the conditions on your lawn.

*Drought protocol will start after 4-6 weeks with no significant amounts of rain and the lawn is dormant.  We may route and treat some lawns with sprinklers and or service areas differently as some areas may get more rain than others but generally, if your lawn has gone dormant/not green you should start expecting the changes listed below

• Make customers aware of conditions and of potential changes and how important mowing at the right height with a sharp blade.
• Slow Treatment Timing in July and august if the lawn is dormant when last applied 
  • Note: lawns still need food going into and coming out of dormancy.
• Continue to treat weeds as they will try to out-compete grass
• Change to drought recovery-friendly formulations/ analysis to activate when watered/rained in to aid in a healthy recovery.  
  • This will not harm a dry or dormant lawn. It will only help it recover.
• Stop fertilizer treatments if the lawn is dormant with no significant amounts of rain since the drought recovery-friendly treatment was applied.  Weed control may continue if needed.

We have experienced drought conditions going back to the 1990s so this isn't our first dry to drought time. We have deployed in the past a drought protocol. You may have seen similar information last summer as we almost had drought conditions with an abnormally dry late summer last year. This 2021 rain deficit actually goes back to that time last summer/fall and the gap has widened in some of our counties.

• Cut height 3.5-4 - confirmed with a ruler- Yes use a ruler.
• Sharp Blade - less tearing less water lost
• Don't mow unless it grows- Do not lower your mower!
• Water your lawn- especially if you are in the drier areas on the map below.

Right Now in June and into July, you have a chance to BRIDGE THE GAP to the more normal-dry to drought times of July/August in Northern IL, so your lawn doesn't thin and die out in areas just weeks before more seasonal rains come in late summer/fall. 

So, if you’re not looking for lawn of the month and you never water and you are just looking for a decent lawn, well I'm talking to you. Also, Mr. I always forget to sharpen my blades or cut at the right height as your current lawn is going brown fast. I’m also speaking to all the lawn owners that cut their lawn right with a sharp blade with a lawn that may still be holding a dull green- THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT so even if you never water, do it this time and ensure your turf will be there after the summer drought is over. Your lawn still needs food when the rain comes and can make the difference of full recovery when rains come again especially with the organic Potassium and Phosphorus. Our upgraded fertilizer blends and our drought recovery fertilizer analysis are formulated for optimal results in a Dry to drought Year. These Dry slow-release Fertilizers will release when watered in and all have a high percentage of composted organic poultry litter making up the organic base. These blends of slowly releasing organic fertilizer will give the nutrients needed when they are needed.

• All standard fertilizer lawns will receive balance and/or organic upgrade drought recovery application for their next treatment round depending on how dry and or dormant.