Long periods of hot, dry weather can destroy the emerald green lawn in front of your home. Fortunately, lawn grasses can be quite resilient, you just need to know how to help them through the drought. 

1. Minimize  Maintenance Tasks

Staying off the lawn is key when it is stressed due to heat and lack of water. Postpone any intensive maintenance tasks you had planned, such as aerating and dethatching. These are best done when the lawn is in a less stressed state. It's also a good idea to avoid using the lawn heavily. Try not to walk or play on it too much during the height of the dry period. 

2. Water Early and Deeply

Your area may be under water restrictions, depending on the severity of the drought. If this is the case, use your allowed watering days wisely. It's better to water early, usually about an hour before sunrise so that moisture isn't lost to evaporation. Further, water deeply by supplying one to two inches of water at each allowed irrigation period. 

3. Leave the Grass Long

Don't mow during a dry period. Longer grass self mulches, which helps conserve what moisture is in the soil. The longer grass also shades the roots and protects them from the drying heat of the sun. You can mow off the dead tops of the grass once it begins to recover after the drought is over. The lawn may not look great when it's long and dry, but it will help it to avoid more severe die back later. 

4. Skip Fertilizer Treatments

Never fertilize when the conditions are hot and dry. Your lawn is stressed, so any fertilizer that is applied will likely burn the grass. Part of the problem is that there simply is not enough moisture to dissolve the nutrients into the soil. Also, avoid other types of treatments, such as those for weeds or bugs. Delay these until the weather is cooler and moister after the lawn has recovered from the drought.

5. Be Patient 

Patience is the key when a drought is causing your lawn to suffer. Don't try to rush the lawn back to its lush former self. Once temperatures cool down and moisture increases, you can begin mowing again and cut of dry brown tops of the grass. You may need to overseed the lawn if the drought was particularly prolonged.

Contact a lawn maintenance service if you need further help.