Lawn dried up (Austin, Early: live, vacation, best time)

[veuvegirl]

This is our second summer on our house. We went on vacation for a week, when we returned the front lawn was completely gone. The soil is cracked and dry. Shocked that it could happen so quickly!

So, long time Texans, how to remedy? Do we need to resod? Aerate and seed? Suggestions?

[ChristieP]

Water it well for a week or two and see if it comes back. Hopefully, all is not lost. In the future, you need to water at least once a week. If you don't have sprinklers, see if a neighbor can water for you while you are on vacation next time.

If it doesn't come back, there's no point in attempting to resod or seed in the hottest part of the summer. It's almost a guarantee that the heat will just burn it up. You may be able to get it done in the fall before the weather gets too cold. Early spring after the last freeze is really the best time to put in a lawn.

[veuvegirl]

Thanks. We do water once a week, one of the reasons I was shocked!

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

We have had close to a week straight with Temps above 95 and no rain. I lost some flowers b/c I wasn't paying attention.

[whj3773]

odd for it to die so fast, i went the first two weeks in june without watering (after the may rains) and lawn was fine.

[MurphyPl1]

Are you watering long enough when you do water? I have to admit I'm very surprised that you'd have that level of damage that fast.

[FalconheadWest]

It just rained for a month. How could the grass possibly be dead with only 1 week of no water? We just went the same week with no rain in the 90's in Austin, and we didn't water once because we just had so much rain and our grass is greener than ever. Something is wrong for it to dry and crack so quickly... Maybe you don't have any "soil" and the grass is directly on top of the clay.

[veuvegirl]

I was shocked, I think there probably have been bare spots that didn't look so bad. With the soil dried out and cracked it looks awful!

I checked our sprinkler system and it was still off from the rain. So it had been a couple of weeks. We have it set up to water once a week, fifteen minutes in the morning and once in the evening.

[CptnRn]

It is very odd for it to have died so fast. The roots should still be alive. Definitly water it well every few days for a while and see if it doesn't grow back in.

Also the bare spots you described can be signs of grass killing insects or disease. Take a look at the brochures here on lawn problems and lawn care. Grow Green Resources | Watershed Protection | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

I had some bare patches in mine that I was assuming were not getting enough water, but it turned out to be chinch bugs. Those areas are nice and green now after treating for chinch bugs.

[loves2read]

I can't believe you have cracks in your lawn after so much rain in May
Something is off
Maybe your grass has fungus