How to Revive a Drought-Damaged Lawn

Hot, dry weather can do serious damage to your lawn. When rain disappears for weeks, grass starts to turn brown, thin out, and lose its lush color. The good news? Most drought-damaged lawns can recover—with the right care.

At Anointed Lawn Care, we help homeowners restore dry, brittle grass to healthy, green turf through targeted treatments, proper watering, and soil rejuvenation.

Here’s exactly how to bring your drought-damaged lawn back to life.

1. Determine If Your Grass Is Dormant or Dead

The first step is to figure out if your grass is truly dead—or just dormant.

• Dormant grass is still alive; it turns brown to conserve energy during stress.
• Dead grass has completely died and won’t recover on its own.

To test: Pull a handful of grass. If it resists and feels springy at the roots, it’s dormant. If it pulls up easily, it’s likely dead and will need reseeding.

2. Water Slowly and Deeply

After weeks of heat and dryness, your lawn’s soil becomes hard and water-repellent. Instead of dumping large amounts of water at once, water gradually and deeply so it can soak through compacted layers.

Pro tip: Water early in the morning, 2–3 times per week, allowing moisture to reach roots without evaporation.

To boost recovery, Anointed Lawn Care’s LESCO® Moisture Manager helps your soil retain water efficiently, reducing waste and improving absorption.

3. Aerate to Break Up Compacted Soil

Drought often leads to compacted, crusty soil that blocks water and nutrients. Core aeration relieves this compaction and allows air and moisture to flow freely again.

Aeration also prepares your lawn for overseeding—helping new grass grow quickly and evenly across dry, damaged areas.

4. Apply Soil Amendments to Rebuild Health

Dry soil loses valuable nutrients and becomes unbalanced. Replenishing it with soil conditioners and organic amendments restores structure and improves nutrient exchange.

Anointed Lawn Care’s soil amendment services correct pH levels and replenish lost minerals, giving new grass the foundation it needs to thrive.

5. Overseed Bare or Dead Areas

Once your soil is healthy again, overseed to fill in bare patches. Use drought-tolerant grass varieties that can handle Texas summers, such as Bermuda or Zoysia.

Our technicians apply high-quality seed blends with proper coverage and timing, ensuring fast germination and even growth.

6. Fertilize Carefully

After drought, avoid heavy fertilization right away. Overfeeding stressed grass can cause burn and delay recovery.

Instead, use a slow-release fertilizer about 3–4 weeks after your lawn starts to green up again. Anointed Lawn Care’s fertilization programs provide a balanced nutrient mix that promotes healthy regrowth without overloading your lawn.

7. Adjust Your Watering Routine for Long-Term Health

Once your lawn begins recovering, maintain a consistent watering routine. Shallow watering encourages weak roots, while deep watering promotes drought resistance.

Stick to deep irrigation twice a week, allowing the soil to dry slightly between sessions. This trains roots to grow deeper and stronger.

8. Control Weeds During Recovery

Weeds love stressed lawns—they take advantage of bare spots and weak turf. During recovery, apply post-emergent weed control carefully to eliminate existing weeds without harming new grass.

Our team uses targeted, professional-grade weed control to keep your recovering lawn healthy and competition-free.

9. Avoid Foot Traffic

While your lawn is healing, minimize mowing, walking, and play until new growth takes hold. Foot traffic can crush seedlings and slow down the recovery process.

If necessary, set up temporary walkways or flag markers to protect vulnerable areas.

10. Prevent Future Drought Damage

Once your lawn has recovered, prevention is key. Keep your grass resilient with a seasonal maintenance plan that includes:

• Regular fertilization
• Core aeration
• Moisture management
• Proper mowing height
• Consistent pest and weed control

With ongoing care, your lawn will be stronger, thicker, and better equipped to withstand future dry spells.

‍