Catching Drought Stress Early
New turf does not have deep roots, meaning it has zero emergency water reserves. On a hot summer day, the top inch of soil can dry out in a few hours. If you wait until the grass turns brown to water it, you are already too late.
The 3 Early Warning Signs
- 1. The Footprint Test: Walk across the grass. If the blades spring back up immediately, it is hydrated. If your footprints remain flattened in the grass for more than a few minutes, the cells are losing water pressure. It needs soaking immediately.
- 2. The Color Shift: Before grass turns yellow, it loses its vibrant green sheen. Thirsty grass will take on a dull, silvery-blue or greyish tint. This is the critical moment to deploy the sprinkler.
- 3. Shrinking Edges: Look at the seams where the rolls meet. If gaps are appearing and you can see the topsoil underneath, the soil base of the turf roll has dried out and physically contracted.