LAWNS: Mowing the lawn may lead to frustration because there are various areas in your yard that are brown instead of green.

During peak summer heat, especially when conditions are dry, grass growth slows, and the plants enter a state of semi dormancy.

When grass turns brown and may look dead, it’s conserving its energy reserves until favorable weather returns. Semi dormant grass can survive 3 to 6 weeks in this condition before dying.

If you decide to irrigate your summer lawn to keep it looking green for aesthetic reasons, withstand foot traffic from outdoor activities, or to help it survive a prolonged drought, here are some tips to minimize water use:

The right amount of water: A general rule of thumb for lawn irrigation is to apply between one and two inches of water a week, less the total of any rain that fell in the prior seven days. To keep a summer lawn green, you need to add enough water to reach the grass roots, around three to six inches deep.

Time it right: Morning is considered the best time to water, before hot temperatures and afternoon winds increase evaporation rates. Evening watering is next best; however, regular nighttime watering may increase the risk of some lawn diseases.

Don’t over-water: Allowing your soil to dry out slightly between watering may encourage deeper root growth, which may lead to healthier, more resilient turf. Water deeply but infrequently during droughts.

Don’t waste water: If you see water ponding or washing off your lawn as runoff, either back off your water pressure until the runoff stops or shut off the water and resume the next morning.

Skip the fertilizer: Since a brown lawn is not growing very much, it does not require additional nutrients. Nitrogen applied to a semi-dormant lawn is more likely to leach into groundwater or exit your lawn as runoff.