Worried gardeners are all asking the same question this week: Does grass need watering in a heatwave? While thirsty plants benefit from a daily soak in hot weather, lawns need a different kind of care.
'Grass is known for its resilience, but even this hardy plant can suffer under extreme conditions. The UK more commonly experiences periods of unusually hot weather, and your lawn may show signs of stress as a result,' says Peter Chaloner, managing director of Cobra.
Should you water your lawn in a heatwave?
According to Peter, resist watering established lawns during a heatwave as mature grasses are surprisingly resilient.
'Rather than dying off, they usually enter a state of dormancy, where growth slows, and the grass may turn straw brown,' he says. 'While this can look alarming, it's a natural survival strategy that allows the plant to conserve energy and moisture until conditions improve. Once rainfall returns and temperatures ease, healthy lawns will typically green back up without intervention.'
However, if rainfall has been scarce for prolonged periods and you notice the soil becoming consistently dry, supplemental watering can help prevent stress damage.
'Infrequent but deep watering is far more effective than light, frequent sprinkling. Deep watering encourages roots to grow further down into the soil profile, making the lawn more drought-tolerant in the long term.'
What time should you water your lawn?
Much like garden plants, timing matters if you decide to water your grass. Watering is best done in the morning or late evening when evaporation rates are lower.
'Watering in the middle of the day, particularly in strong sun, leads to significant losses through evaporation and is far less efficient,' says Peter. 'The guiding principle is to work with the lawn's natural resilience: accept temporary browning in most cases, intervene only during sustained stress, and if you do water, do it deeply, infrequently, and at the right time of day.'
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest
The Cooling Edit
