Between planning and packing, there’s already a lot on your summer vacation to-do list! The last thing you want to worry about is how your lawn will fare while you’re away. Fortunately, depending on the weather conditions, a healthy, well-maintained lawn should be fine for a week or two.

Here are some simple steps you can take before and after your trip to give your lawn the best chances on its own with the summer heat. And even if your lawn slips into summer dormancy, you can help it bounce back as lush and green as it always was.

Before You Leave

Before you leave town, take these simple steps to prepare your lawn.

1. Mow your lawn right before you leave. In the summer, grass grows more slowly than it does during cooler seasons. This gives you some wiggle room for the interruption to your usual lawn care regimen. Before you leave for a trip, you can mow it as you normally would.
2. Make a plan for watering. If you have an irrigation system, let it continue to run as normal, but if there is little rain in the forecast, you may want to add an extra day of watering for each week you are away. If you rely on a hose and sprinkler, soak the lawn for about an hour in each area before you leave. You can also ask a trusted neighbor or friend to water your lawn and flowers for you (just make sure you return the favor!). 

When You Come Back

When you get home from vacation, your lawn might need a little extra care.

1. Mow your lawn a little higher than usual. The longer you are gone, the longer your grass has likely grown. To avoid cutting off more than ⅓ of the grass blade at a time, raise your mowing height and mow a little more frequently until you get your lawn back to your desired length.
2. Water (or don’t). If your lawn received heavy rainfall while you were away, there’s a chance it’s a little soggy and overwatered, so you can give it some time to dry out. On the other hand, if it’s extra dry, water it deeply and then resume your usual watering regimen.

Dealing with Summer Dormancy

If you are going to be away from home for a longer period of time, there’s a good chance that your lawn may go dormant. If it does, don’t panic! This is your lawn’s natural survival mechanism. When your lawn is dormant, the foliage of the grass plant will turn brown and dead, while the crowns and roots of the plant remain alive.

The key to helping your lawn recover from summer dormancy is patience. Most healthy lawns can survive in a dormant state for 3 to 4 weeks without rainfall or irrigation. Make sure you water it as soon as you get back and continue to water it on a regular schedule. Once temperatures start to cool, the grass will begin to recover, emerge from summer dormancy, and continue to grow.

We’re here to help you nourish a healthy, resilient lawn that stands up to weather conditions, lawn disease, and pest activity. Find a Weed Man near you and get a free quote today!