08/28/2026
🌱 Check out our latest Lawn Tip of the Week, featured in Justin Berk’s weekly Drought Monitor & Lawn Health Index update!
This week, we’re talking about choosing the right grass seed for the right conditions—an important step toward a healthier, stronger lawn. 🌱
Take a look at the full update below! 👇
🌱 DROUGHT MONITOR & LAWN HEALTH INDEX UPDATE | AUGUST 27
👍🟡 We’ve made a lot of progress since the worst of the summer drought, but this week the improvement is mostly holding steady across Maryland.
🌵DROUGHT MONITOR
Not much change locally this week. Abnormally Dry and Moderate Drought conditions remain across parts of Maryland, with some improvement noted farther north around Lancaster County, PA.
💧📏 RAINFALL AT BWI
• August: 5.33” — +1.85” above average
• Since June 1: 13.27” — +1.33” above average
• Since January 1: 26.10” — still -3.07” below average
👉Since January 1, 2024: −19.98 inches
Despite the very wet summer of 2026, BWI is still almost 20 inches short of normal precipitation over the past 2 years and 8 months
📊 Lawn Health Index: 59/100 — FAIR
We’re knocking on the door of “Good,” but the return of late-summer heat keeps us just below 60.
🔥🌡️HEAT RETURNS
After a break this weekend, highs climb back into the lower 90s Monday through Wednesday. That will increase stress again on our cool-season lawns.
⛈️ 🎲 STORM CHANCES
Storms Thursday and Friday could provide localized rain, with another opportunity for thunderstorms Tuesday and Wednesday. As usual, summer rainfall can be very uneven.
🌱 LAWN DOCTOR TIP: Choose the right grass seed!
☀️ Full sun? Tall Fescue. Deep roots help it better handle Maryland heat, drought and everyday stress.
🌳 More shade? Fine Fescue. Its finer blades and shade tolerance make it a better choice where sunlight is limited.
✅The right seed in the right spot = stronger roots and a healthier lawn. 🌱
Drought Monitor & Lawn Health Index presented by Lawn Doctor of Annapolis-Bowie