Emergency Lawn Rescue: What to Do After a Heatwave or Drought in West Sussex

First aid (Week 0–1)

• Rehydrate deeply: 20–25 mm twice weekly (use a rain gauge).
• Stop heavy feeding: high-nitrogen fertiliser can scorch stressed turf.
• Raise the mower: cut at 6–8 cm; mow less often.
• Leave clippings (mulching) to shade soil and recycle moisture.

Recovery (Week 2–4)

• Wetting agent on hydrophobic patches to help water penetrate.
• Light feed with a balanced/slow-release fertiliser.
• Spot-overseed thinnest areas; keep moist until established.

Renovation (Early autumn)

For severe damage:

• Scarify to remove dead matter.
• Aerate (hollow-tine) to relieve compaction.
• Overseed + topdress; water little and often to germinate.

Prevention for next summer

• Deeper, infrequent watering builds deeper roots.
• Mow higher in hot months.
• Spring wetting agent on known dry-patch sites.
• Autumn aeration so winter rain recharges the soil profile.

Local note: Coastal Chichester/Emsworth sites dry fast in onshore winds—consider drought-tolerant fescues in the seed blend.