Is Your Lawn Crying for Help? Drought Stress in Sarasota & Manatee Counties
Hey there, Florida friends! Let’s talk about the big brown elephant in the room—your lawn. Or what used to be your lawn, but now looks more like a sad patch of crispy cereal. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. All over Sarasota and Manatee Counties, grass is waving a tiny white flag and whispering, “I can’t do this anymore.”
It is officially drought stress season—when lawns go from lush to "meh" faster than a snowbird heading north in May.
So, What Is Drought Stress Anyway?
Think of drought stress like your grass going on a hunger strike... but for water. It’s what happens when your turf doesn’t get enough moisture, and unlike us, it can’t run to the fridge and chug a gallon of Gatorade.
Symptoms include:
Grass turning grayish-blue or straw-colored
Footprints that linger like bad decisions
A crunchy texture that screams, “Don’t walk on me, bro”
That one neighbor smugly pointing out their turf is still green (spoiler: it’s fake)
Why Is This Happening?
Glad you asked! Here in sunny Sarasota and Manatee, we’re blessed with beautiful weather—and cursed with long stretches of no rain whatsoever. Add in water restrictions, high temps, and soil that drains faster than your phone battery at 2%, and boom: drought stress.
Also, your St. Augustine or Bahia grass is basically saying, “I was designed to be pretty... not a desert warrior.”
The Do-Nots of Drought
🚫 Do not mow your lawn shorter “so it needs less water.” That’s like cutting your hair during a sunburn and thinking it’ll help. Keep it a little longer (3-4 inches) to shade the soil and roots.
🚫 Do not water just a little every day. Your grass isn’t sipping tea; it needs deep drinks. Water less often, but more thoroughly, like twice a week early in the morning. (Before your lawn gets hangry.)
🚫 Do not panic and fertilize. Fertilizer during drought is like feeding a double espresso to someone dehydrated—it doesn’t help and it might make things worse.
How to Be a Lawn Lifesaver
Now that we’ve covered the “don’ts,” here’s what you should do:
✅ Water smart. Stick to county irrigation guidelines, but make sure you’re watering deeply enough to soak 6-8 inches down. If you’re not sure, shove a screwdriver in the ground—if it’s hard to push in, your lawn’s thirsty.
✅ Mulch it up. For your landscape plants and beds, a fresh layer of mulch can help keep moisture in and your plants from giving you the silent treatment.
✅ Adjust your mower blade. Raise it up to help your lawn retain moisture and develop deeper roots. Basically, let your grass grow its hair out for summer.
✅ Call the pros (that’s us). At Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control, we’ve been rescuing stressed-out lawns longer than some of your grass has been alive. We can help diagnose drought damage vs. pests, recommend watering schedules, and even give your lawn a pep talk (okay, that last one’s optional).
Wait… Is It Drought Stress or Something Else?
Ah, the million-dollar question. Sometimes, what looks like drought stress is actually chinch bugs, fungal disease, or a mole that’s turned your yard into a lunar surface.
That’s where we come in. Our lawn techs are trained to tell the difference between “thirsty” and “under attack.” It’s like CSI: Lawn Edition, but with fewer sunglasses and more soil probes.
Final Thought from Your Lawn Therapist
Your lawn’s not mad at you. It’s just tired. Between heat, lack of rain, and the occasional rogue squirrel, it’s doing its best. But if you give it the right support (and maybe a little love), it can bounce back stronger than ever.
And if you’re still not sure what to do? Give Westfall’s Lawn and Pest Control a call. We’ll handle the stress so your grass doesn’t have to.
Stay cool out there—and remember: brown grass happens, but so does a comeback.