As drought strikes Kentucky, here's what you should and shouldn't do to your lawn
Some common misconceptions about lawn care can cause issues during during dry spells. As the drought strikes Kentucky, many areas have entered moderate drought conditions for the first time this year, with more than a million Kentuckians in drought areas. Here are three tips for landscaping and horticulture during droughts and dry spells, including prioritizing plants based on individual preferences and needs.
Published : 11 months ago by Connor Giffin in
Portions of Kentucky entered moderate drought this month for the first time this year, with more than a million Kentuckians in drought areas, according to U.S. Drought Monitor estimates.
As recently as December, parts of the commonwealth were plunged into severe drought conditions, and more dry periods are undoubtedly in Kentucky's future, especially as climate change causes shifts in rainfall patterns.
Long periods without rain have costly negative impacts on agriculture, water supply and ecosystems, but they can also hurt gardens and lawns.
Here are three tips for landscaping and horticulture during droughts and dry spells.
Those who don’t usually water their lawns might be tempted to begin watering in a dry spell, to revive it during dry conditions.
But that’s not necessarily the best approach, according to Rick Durham, an extension professor for the University of Kentucky’s Department of Horticulture.
“The short answer is, if you regularly water your lawn, then you need to keep doing that,” Durham said. “But if you don't water your lawn, don’t water it now thinking that you’re going to bring it back.”
Kentucky’s lawns — mostly bluegrass or fescue — are fairly drought resistant, and can go several weeks without water due to their natural, deep root systems retaining moisture. However, grass that’s accustomed to daily watering will have a more shallow root system, and will need to be watered consistent with that schedule.
Grass may go dormant during a significant drought, Durham added. “It doesn’t look good, but usually the grass is still alive, and it will recover after it starts to rain again.”
When lawns are irrigated, it's best to be thorough, but with more time between watering, said Paul Cappiello, executive director of Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in Oldham County. Running sprinklers for 10 minutes each day isn't effective in reaching the deeper soil, and can result in shallow roots.
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In a drought, every drop of water counts.
Taller grass helps shade the soil and slows evaporation, and allows for deeper root penetration into the soil.
“Longer grass blades will help to keep the soil moist and help to maintain water,” Durham said. “The taller grass will be a little bit better for the drought situation.”
"Cutting your grass at three and a half, four inches ... as high as the mower will go, makes for a much healthier and much more durable lawn," Cappiello said.
Know your plants, and prioritize
Most perennial flowers can last a few weeks in a drought, especially those derived from native Kentucky plants, Durham said. Trees, with their large root systems, and shrubs are also resilient.
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Annuals, on the other hand — flowers like petunias or marigolds — need a thorough watering once or twice a week when rain is lacking.
And for water conservation considerations, Durham recommends prioritizing plants based on one’s individual preferences and needs. Some value a green lawn, while others would rather hold onto their vegetables.
“What’s the value of your plant?” he said. “My personal philosophy is things like annuals, flowering plants (and) vegetable gardens would take priority for me over watering my lawn.”
Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal and a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. The program funds up to half of corps members’ salaries, but requires a portion also be raised through local community fundraising. To support local environmental reporting in Kentucky, tax-deductible donations can be made atcourier-journal.com/RFA.
Learn more about RFA atreportforamerica.org. Reach Connor directly at [email protected] or on Twitter@byconnorgiffin.
Topics: Kentucky