What is considered a best practice for maintaining lawns during drought?

Reducing mowing frequency and height is indeed a best practice for maintaining lawns during drought conditions. When faced with limited water availability, encouraging the growth of taller grass can be beneficial. Taller grass blades promote deeper root development, allowing the grass to access moisture stored deeper in the soil. Additionally, less frequent mowing reduces stress on the grass, allowing it to conserve energy and moisture.

Shorter grass can lead to rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil and may make the grass more susceptible to drought stress. By maintaining a taller height, you not only help the grass to shade the soil and minimize evaporation but also improve its overall resilience to drought conditions.

The other practices mentioned would not be effective during a drought. Increasing watering frequency can exacerbate water scarcity issues, while high nitrogen fertilizers can promote more growth, leading to an increased water requirement. Watering at night can lead to less evaporation but might also increase the risk of fungal diseases due to prolonged moisture on the grass. Thus, focusing on mowing practices that support grass health is crucial during drought situations.