The prolonged dry conditions experienced across much of the UK this year have been challenging for gardeners, landscapers, golf courses and sports facilities alike. However, behind every square metre of natural turf lies a much bigger story that many people never see.
While customers understandably focus on the finished product, turf growers have spent months managing some of the most difficult growing conditions in recent memory. For businesses like INTURF, producing high-quality natural turf has always been a long-term commitment. Unlike many manufactured products, turf cannot simply be produced on demand. A turf crop typically takes around 18 months from sowing to harvest, meaning the effects of one difficult growing season can be felt for years afterwards.
This year’s drought is not simply a short-term inconvenience. It is another reminder of how climate volatility is reshaping British agriculture and horticulture.
More than just a dry summer
It would be easy to view this year as an isolated event, but the reality is very different.
Since 2018, turf growers have experienced a series of weather-related challenges, including prolonged droughts, extreme heat and flooding. In some cases, growers have experienced both flood damage and drought damage on the same fields within the space of a single year.
These increasingly unpredictable weather patterns create significant challenges for growers. Turf crops require careful management throughout their growing cycle, and extreme weather puts additional pressure on irrigation systems, labour resources and operating costs.
When rainfall disappears for extended periods, growers must irrigate continuously to protect crops that may still be many months away from harvest. Water, electricity, fuel and machinery wear and tear costs all increase at the very point when growing conditions become most difficult.
The environmental value of natural turf
At INTURF, we firmly believe that natural turf remains one of the most sustainable landscaping solutions available when produced responsibly.
Natural grass provides a wide range of environmental benefits:
- Captures and stores carbon.
- Produces oxygen.
- Improves soil health.
- Reduces urban heat build-up.
- Supports biodiversity.
- Helps manage surface water and reduce flooding.
- Creates cooler outdoor environments for people, wildlife and pets.
These benefits are only achieved through living, healthy grass.
As a specialist turf grower, INTURF has always focused on producing natural turf without the use of plastic reinforcement netting. Whilst some products in the market rely upon embedded plastic meshes, our approach is centred on growing a strong, natural turf crop that can perform without introducing unnecessary plastic into the environment.
For customers increasingly concerned about sustainability, this matters. Choosing natural turf grown without plastic reinforcement helps reduce the risk of plastic entering soils and landscapes while maintaining the environmental advantages that living grass provides.
The challenge of maintaining supply
One aspect often overlooked during discussions about drought is the impact on future supply.
Growing turf requires significant investment in land, seed, fertiliser, irrigation infrastructure and skilled labour. When growers face repeated years of heightened weather-related risk without sustainable returns, there is a danger that some will reduce production acreage or leave the sector altogether.
This affects more than turf availability. Turf production often forms part of wider agricultural crop rotations that bring agronomic benefits to both soil health and neighbouring farming operations. Reductions in production can therefore have broader consequences across rural land management.
Maintaining a resilient domestic turf industry requires continued investment, innovation and confidence that growers can remain commercially sustainable despite changing climate conditions.
A difficult balance for growers
Perhaps surprisingly, drought can affect demand as well as supply.
During extended periods of hot weather, many landscaping projects are postponed as customers wait for more favourable planting conditions. This can lead to a challenging situation where growers must continue irrigating and maintaining crops at the very point when production costs are highest and sales demand has slowed.
The result is a double financial pressure that is largely invisible to the end customer.
Yet despite these challenges, growers continue investing in water management, improved seed varieties, environmental stewardship and product quality to ensure customers receive the best possible turf.
Looking ahead
Climate volatility is becoming part of the reality of growing natural turf in the UK. The industry will continue adapting, investing and innovating to meet these challenges, but doing so comes at a cost.
For customers, understanding what lies behind a roll of turf is increasingly important. The value of natural turf extends far beyond its appearance. It is a living product that delivers environmental benefits, supports biodiversity, enhances outdoor spaces and contributes to healthier communities.
At INTURF, we remain committed to producing high-quality, environmentally responsible turf, grown naturally and without plastic netting, whilst continuing to invest in the resilience needed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing climate.
Because natural grass is more than just a landscaping product. It is an investment in greener, healthier and more sustainable outdoor spaces for the future.
How to help your lawn recover after drought
If your lawn has suffered during a prolonged dry spell, the good news is that recovery is often possible once cooler temperatures and more reliable rainfall return. The best time to renovate a drought-damaged lawn is usually in early autumn, while soil temperatures remain warm enough for new grass seed to germinate, typically before the end of October.
Once rainfall has returned and the soil has regained some moisture, lightly scarify the lawn to remove dead grass, moss and thatch. Overseed any thin or bare areas with a quality grass seed mixture and apply a light dressing of good-quality topsoil to improve seed-to-soil contact and aid establishment. Keep the area moist during germination and avoid heavy foot traffic while new seedlings develop.
Once the new grass has reached a healthy height; usually around 3-4 weeks after germination depending upon good growing conditions; resume mowing with sharp blades, taking off only the top third of the leaf at each cut. An autumn fertiliser can also help encourage strong root development before winter. With a little patience, many drought-affected lawns can recover well and return to full health by the following spring.
For those looking for a quicker transformation, re-turfing can often provide an instant solution once temperatures have eased and soil moisture levels have improved. Whilst this involves a greater upfront investment than overseeding and renovation, it remains the fastest way to restore a healthy, attractive lawn and can deliver excellent results when installed during favourable autumn growing conditions.
Whether renovating an existing lawn or starting again with fresh turf, autumn remains one of the best times of the year to restore grass damaged by summer drought.
