When a heatwave hits and a hosepipe ban is put in place, watching your once-green lawn turn brown and brittle can be stressful. However, grass is remarkably resilient. It enters a natural dormancy state to protect itself during dry periods, meaning it isn't necessarily dead—it's just sleeping.
With a few smart manual watering techniques, proper maintenance habits, and the right equipment from our branches, you can keep your turf healthy and ready to bounce back the moment the rain returns.
When you can’t rely on a sprinkler or hosepipe, you have to make every drop count.
The Watering Can Method: Use a traditional watering can fitted with a fine rose attachment to distribute water evenly across dry patches without flooding the surface. Target the areas of the lawn that get the most sun first.
Go Deep, Not Often: Giving your lawn a light splash every day encourages shallow root growth, making the grass more vulnerable to heat. Instead, give it a thorough, deep soak once or twice a week using collected water.
Recycle Household Water: While waiting for your shower to run hot or rinsing vegetables, catch the clean wastewater in a bucket. Use a heavy-duty utility bucket to transport this "grey water" to your lawn or garden beds rather than letting it go down the drain. (Just ensure it doesn't contain harsh chemical cleaners or bleach).
One of the most common mistakes people make during a dry spell is cutting their grass too short, which places immense stress on the plant.
Raise the Blade: Check your lawnmower height settings and adjust them to a higher cut. Tighter, shorter cuts expose the soil to the direct sun, causing moisture to evaporate rapidly and scorching the grass roots.
Provide Natural Shade: Leaving the grass longer creates a natural canopy that shades the soil, keeping it cooler and locking in vital moisture. If your mower needs an upgrade or replacement blades, browse our selection of lawnmowers and garden power tools.
Leave the Clippings: On your higher cut, let the fine grass clippings fall back onto the lawn (a process known as mulching). They act as a protective layer that breaks down and feeds nutrients back into the dry soil.
A dormant lawn is fragile. When grass blades lack water, they lose their elasticity and snap rather than bend under pressure.
Give It a Rest: Try to keep heavy foot traffic, paddling pools, and garden furniture off the main lawn areas during peak dry spells. Walking on stressed grass can crush the crown of the plant and leave permanent, bare footpaths.
Use Garden Paths: If you need to cross the garden, lay down temporary boards or paths to protect the turf until the heatwave breaks.
Q: Will a brown lawn grow back when it rains? A: Yes! Established lawns can survive weeks of drought by going dormant. Once regular rainfall or cooler weather returns, the grass will green up naturally within a week or two.
Q: Should I use lawn fertilizer during a dry spell? A: No. Applying chemical fertilizers or weed-and-feed treatments when the lawn is heat-stressed can actually burn the grass and make the browning worse. Save the fertilizer and lawn care treatments for when the weather cools and moisture is readily available.
Q: Is it better to water in the morning or evening? A: Early morning (just as the sun is coming up) is the absolute best time. The water has time to soak deep into the soil before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate. Evening watering can leave the grass damp overnight, which invites fungal diseases.
Disclaimer: The tips and advice shared on the W Hurst & Son blog are for general guidance only. DIY projects and home repairs carry inherent risks—always follow manufacturer safety guidelines, use proper PPE, and consult a qualified professional for complex gas, electrical, or structural work. W Hurst & Son Ltd accepts no liability for injury or property damage resulting from project execution. Product prices and availability are subject to change; check online or visit your local Hurst branch for current stock.
