Drought-resistant lawn: how to sow drought-resistant grass seed

For gardens in regions affected by summer heat and drought, it is important to choose the right lawn seeds. Find out how to establish and maintain a durable, drought-resistant lawn.

Having a drought-resistant lawn could become a real advantage in the coming years. Climate researchers suspect that the weather in the UK, especially in southern regions, will trend towards hotter, drier summers. Read on to find out what constitutes a good drought-resistant lawn, and how to establish and maintain it.

What is a drought-resistant grass lawn and who needs one?

Drought-resistant lawns are those that continue to grow well even in hot climates and with little water. If your lawn is situated on rather sandy soil, in an area that gets full sun and low rainfall, it is worthwhile planting a drought-resistant lawn.

Lawn seed manufacturers use the term “drought-resistant grass” when talking about drought-tolerant grass seed mixtures for green lawns. People in areas with low rainfall and hot summers are highly encouraged to maintain drought-resistant lawns. You are also better off using drought-resistant grass seed rather than conventional lawn seed mixtures when establishing a lawn in places with light, sandy soils that retain water poorly. If you live in such areas and want an enduring, sustainable garden, it is a good idea to plant a drought-resistant grass lawn.

Expert note: Do not confuse drought-resistant grass with dry grasslands, the latter of which are grassland biotopes that develop on extremely dry, nutrient-poor and sun-exposed areas. Dry grasslands are home to not only grasses, but also to special plants, like thrift (Armeria maritima) and adapted animals, like the pantaloon bee (Dasypoda). The terms “rough grassland” and “semi-arid grassland” are sometimes used synonymously with dry grasslands, but this can also be misleading, as they actually each refer to different biotopes with a specific fauna and flora. Areas of rough grassland develop on water-rich, very nutrient-poor areas, while semi-arid grassland areas develop on extensively managed pastures.

What are the advantages of drought-resistant grasses?

Drought-resistant lawns are easier to maintain than conventional lawns, both in dry, sun-drenched areas and under normal conditions. And because drought-tolerant grass is more water-efficient, it helps to save money, groundwater, and your precious time.

On top of that, drought-tolerant grass can thrive on soils that are otherwise unable to support a normal lawn at all, as well as on parched soils that would require a lot of maintenance. Establishing a drought and heat-tolerant grass lawn therefore protects the environment and saves you the costly soil upkeep that a more sensitive standard lawn demands.
The one small disadvantage of special drought-tolerant lawns is that they look different to ornamental lawns. Drought-tolerant grasses are a little wider and sometimes less dense, resembling a more Mediterranean lawn. However, this difference is subtle and only noticeable to the trained eye.

How to correctly establish and maintain a drought-resistant lawn

Establishing lawns in dry areas is essentially no different from planting them elsewhere. Keep reading to find out how and when to seed a drought-resistant lawn as well as how to maintain it.

Sowing a drought-resistant lawn: when and how

The best time to sow a drought-resistant lawn is in spring or autumn. The soil should be no cooler than 12 °C, even at night, to ensure the seeds take root and grow well. After loosening the soil and fertilising the lawn, sow the seeds, press them down and, importantly, water everything thoroughly. Within about a month, the seeds should start to sprout, and your new drought-resistant lawn will begin to emerge.

Please keep in mind: Sometimes, instead of drought-resistant grass, people refer to “drought-resistant grass seeds”. This term can be misleading, because the seeds of drought-tolerant grasses are just as sensitive to drying out in the germination phase as any other lawn seed. The plants’ special abilities appear only after they have formed deep roots. So, even a drought-resistant lawn needs plenty of water for at least a month after planting.

How to sow a drought-tolerant lawn:

1. Prepare the lawn by loosening the ground approx. 20 cm deep and removing stones and weeds. Then work in an organic, slow-release fertiliser, such as our all natural Plantura Lawn Feed. You can use our Plantura Organic Lawn Compost or mature compost to improve poorer quality soils.
2. Tamp down the soil with a wooden rake so that everything looks even.
3. Now sow the seeds. To do this, spread 12.5 g/m² in a criss-cross pattern either by hand or using a spreader.
4. After sowing, pat the seeds down or cover with max. 0.5 cm of lawn soil, such as our Plantura Organic Lawn Compost, and then press down with a lawn roller.
5. Water daily from this point on to prevent the seeds and soil from drying out. The seeds will germinate after 10 to 24 days. Do not under any circumstances let the young seedlings dry out. Even once you start seeing green, keep watering regularly for another month. Letting the seedlings or any part of the young plants dry out is one of the most common mistakes when seeding a new lawn.

Tip: Only mow your new drought-resistant grass for the first time once it reaches a height of six to 10 cm, but do not cut it any shorter than four centimetres. Before doing this, make sure the blades of your mower are sharp, as dull blades can easily uproot the young seedlings. Find detailed instructions on how to lay a lawn in our article on sowing lawns.

How to care for a drought-resistant lawn

The maintenance of a drought-tolerant lawn does not differ significantly from that of any other lawn. Despite its reputation as being water saving, drought-resistant grass still requires water during very dry periods.

When mowing the lawn, remember that a drought-resistant lawn should never be too short – four centimetres is about as short as you should go. Fertilise the lawn in spring and in summer with a nitrogen-rich, organic lawn fertiliser, such as our Plantura Lawn Feed. This promotes the grass’ growth and can also boost the quality of the soil. In the autumn, drought-tolerant lawns and soil like a bit of potassium-enriched autumn lawn fertiliser, such as our Plantura Autumn Lawn Feed. Thanks to its increased potassium content, this autumn fertiliser improves frost hardiness. Regularly mowing and using an organic fertiliser help to prevent the formation of lawn thatch, the invasion of lawn moss, weeds in the lawn, and keep the soil aerated.

Nevertheless, failing to properly maintain your lawn may mean you need to scarify the lawn or aerate the lawn. This may also be necessary if your soil is rich in clay. After heavy frosts or scorching summers, the lawn may thin out and become sparse, lose its regenerative capacity and not grow quite as fast. In this case, reseeding the lawn is your best bet for restoring it.

Summary: Maintaining a drought-resistant grass lawn

• Water during severe drought
• Cut grass down to no lower than 4 cm
• Regularly feed with primarily organic lawn fertilisers
• Regularly mow and fertilise to prevent lawn thatch and soil compaction
• Reseeding may be necessary after extremely cold winters or hot summers

Buying drought-resistant grass: Which grass seed fits my needs?

Drought-resistant lawn seed mixtures contain a variety of drought-tolerant grasses. They should make up the lion’s share of the mixture. Our Plantura Drought-Resistant Lawn Seed contains the following drought-tolerant grasses:

• 70% Festuca arundinacea: Drought-resistant grass that requires minimal maintenance and water
• 20% Poa pratensis: Highly resilience and drought-tolerant
• 10% Lolium perenne: Rapid germination and great regeneration through runner formation

Plantura Drought-Resistant Lawn Seed

Premium lawn seed: particularly drought-resistant & heat-tolerant, for regions with hot & dry summers

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Our seed mix contains seeds with a good germination capacity. Due to strict quality controls, RSM (German standard) certified seeds are guaranteed to have a high seed germination rate. In order to establish a lawn in a thought out and successful way, it is vital to consider the germination capacity, which is why we recommend using RSM certified seeds. When you invest a bit more money in good seeds, you can expect to receive support in creating your lawn. Responsible manufacturers ensure that your lawn installation is successful by providing detailed care instructions on the pack or online to guide you through creating the perfect drought-resistant lawn.

Summary: What you get when you buy drought-resistant grass mixtures

• Information on grass varieties: drought-resistant grass seed mixtures consist mainly of drought-resistant grasses
• High germination rate and quality, e.g. RSM certified seed mixtures
• Precise instructions for use and further information on the packaging

At Plantura, we focus on quality and durability. We would love to accompany you on your journey to a successful, water-saving and sustainable drought-resistant lawn with our RSM-certified Plantura Drought-Resistant Lawn Seed. We also have numerous articles on the topic of lawns and lawn care in our online magazine.

Interested in high-quality lawn seed? Discover our certified Plantura lawn seed mixes here.