Will my grass die when i dont water it?

Question

It is the summer hot months here in Southern Ontario (Canada) and the temperatures are 30C+ degree (86F+ for you Americans) but was wondering...i havent turned my sprinklers on at all this summer and my lawn is very yellow...Can someone tell me...will my grass die if i dont feed it any water this summer....i know it will go into a dormancy state but i wonder if it will die if it is in a dormancy state for the entire summer?

Answer 1

Decide before summer to either water lawns consistently as needed throughout the season, or let lawns go dormant as conditions turn warm and dry. Do not rotate back and forth. In other words, don't let the grass turn totally brown, apply enough water to green it up, and then let the grass go dormant again, as breaking dormancy actually drains large amounts of food reserves from the plant. If you decide to let your grass go dormant, you should still apply some water to maintain the viability of the grass crowns. Hoy dry weather and no water for 4 weeks or more will start to kill the crowns. I have found that you can water every other week or every third week to maintain the crowns. Do not put 1" of water down & revive the lawn when you do this. A 1/4" of water will not revive the lawn, but it will help the crowns. The offcial work from the university is to apply 1/4" of water per week. If you get this much rain water, then cancel your sprinklers for the week. This amount of water will not revive a dormant cool season grass lawn, but it will help to keep the crowns alive.

When is it time to water? The first few warm days of summer does not automatically mean to water lawns. In fact, allowing lawns to start to go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting. Watch for footprinting, or footprints remaining on the lawn after walking across it (instead of leaf blades bouncing back up). Grasses also tend to turn darker in color as they go under drought stress. Sampling the root zone soil could be another option.

In general, water as infrequently as possible. Water thoroughly so moisture gets down to the depth of the roots. Exceptions to this general rule would be for newly seeded lawns where the surface needs to stay moist, newly sodded lawns that have not yet rooted into the soil of the site, or when summer patch disease is a problem. Otherwise, avoid frequent waterings that promote shallower root systems and weeds (e.g., crabgrass).

Given a choice, water early in the day when lawns are normally wet from dew. Avoid midday due to evaporation, and at night due to potential increased chances of some diseases.
Overwatering, such as this soggy sodded lawn, can be a common problem.
Spread the water uniformly across the lawn. Sprinklers vary in distribution patterns, and require spray overlap for uniform coverage. Placing coffee cans or similar straight-sided containers on the lawn can help measure water application rates. Avoid flooding areas, or missing other spots. On heavy clay soils and slopes, watch for excessive runoff; it may be necessary to apply the water in two applications to assure it soaks in.

To help conserve water use, mow higher, avoid excess nitrogen as warm weather approaches, limit traffic over the lawn, improve turf rooting, control thatch and soil compaction, and avoid pesticide use on drought stressed lawns.

Answer 2

They won't necessarily die, if they haven't already sprouted. If they have sprouted, yes they will die back some even if they are a drought resistant variety because new grasslings don't have very strong rooties. But any and all un-sprouted seed is delicious to birds at it *will* get eaten. I say since you've spent the dough on the seeds, spend a little more and water them.

Answer 3

It depends on the type of grass and how much rain you've been getting.

If it has been raining 1in or more per week there, then it's okay that you haven't been watering and your grass is probably just dormant and should turn green again when it gets cooler outside.

Otherwise your grass is probably dead.

Answer 4

Yes, it will die, but the weeds will continue to live. Your lawn should receive at least one inch of water a week. It's better to water deep once a week. Applying grass fertilizer will also help.

Answer 5

Whole summer?? that's pushing it. How was it in the spring? If it was healthy and you have allowed it to go dormant, you may be alright, but you'll have to resuscitate it come mid-late August or so. Cool season grasses can go dormant in summer, but not for an entire growing season.

Answer 6

yes it will die,water the grass if it is turning yellow and you have sprinklers

Answer 7

well if your grass is wild, thats ok. but i think you intently put those grasses in your lawn. be fair to the grass.

Answer 8

It depends on what kind of grass it is.

Answer 9

Yes it wiil die, but all of the weeds will stay.

Answer 10

(sarcastic) of course not it will live forever without any water! ur a retard of course they do (serious this time)!