The rain has fled.
Me wonders why
my grass is dead.
If you have an underground irrigation (sprinkler) system, it isn't turned on. Or the water valve is closed. Or the timer is set incorrectly.
Those are the easy fixes - things you may be able to deal with on your own. There could be a bigger problem though and, worse yet, it might be your fault... Irrigation systems companies are exceptionally busy this time of year because of two common homeowner mistakes:
Someone (it can't have been me) forgot to winterize the system. In climates where temperatures can drop below freezing, irrigation systems must be "blown-out" before the colder weather hits. It is a simple process that can be completed in less than an hour by someone with the right equipment. If water is left in the system and it freezes, sprinkler heads, pipes and other parts of the system can form cracks or splits. Problem areas can be difficult to locate if the issues are underground and the excavation for repairs can be damaging to the lawn and the pocketbook!
Someone (again, it was probably the kids) damaged a sprinkler head. Lawnmowers are common culprits as are cars, lawn aeration tools and soccer balls. The heads themselves are fairly easy to replace but count on a materials and labour bill of around $100 per unit if someone does the work for you. In the mean time, you may be able to set the system to skip the offending "zone" and water by hand.
The learning opportunity here? Spend a few dollars to winterize in the fall and be careful around the sprinkler heads. These two tips could easily save you hundreds over a few years and will help ensure your lawn is greener and healthier than the neighbour's.