To water, or not to water: that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler for the lawn to suffer
The slings and arrows of overreaching drought,
Or to take arms against a sea of yellows,
And by watering end them?. . .
We are blessed to live in the Great Lakes basin where fresh water is still abundant both from Lake Michigan and from associated aquifers in northeastern Illinois. Most other areas of the country experience moderate to severe drought annually. Indeed water rights are the source of conflict in many parts of the world.
So even without drought conditions, we have a responsibility to use this precious resource carefully. Some of us choose not to water the lawn on a regular basis. The pale yellow of August is a contrast to the vibrant green of the late spring marking the transition of the year. The healthy lawn will recover.
Still, this June has been dry, very dry. These conditions offer an opportunity for hearty weeds to succeed when even fescue fails. So perhaps this July it is time to break down and water the lawn until it rains again.
. . .Too dry: too dormant;
No more; and by a dorm’nt to say we end
The mowing and the thousand natural shocks
That grass is heir to, ‘tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d.
Ah, but the weeds, ay, there’s the rub.
Apologies to Mr. Shakespeare.