Question
Basic question, but I am clueless!  I talked my husband into buying a blow up
water slide for our twins, but he worried about the lawn.  I assured him it
would be ok.  We blew it up and left it out only for one day, overnight and
part of the next day but it was 98 degrees.  Sure enough, big brown spot and
even though I watered it, it is still brown 2 days later.  Help!  Will it come back
on its own or do I need to do something?  I was hoping to do the slide again
one day, should I just put it out for the two hours then take it right down to
prevent this next time?  THANKS!

Answer
Depending on how bad the damage is (much depends on moisture levels, temperature, soil, Grass type and growth, and a host of other varaibles), you may find the Grass recovers SOMEWHAT.  But the best thing to do at this point is to rake the area to ensure all blades are upright and no longer compacted, then mow (on the HIGH end of recommended height) and go a little easier on the watering.

Chlorophyll stops working and metabolism halts when temps hit 90 degrees F.  That's why Cool Season Grass goes dormant in the Summer.  You did not mention where you are writing from, so I don't know if you are dealing with that or Warm Season Grass which is NOT going to be going dormant.

If you have Warm Season Grass, you're in more trouble and you'll have to replace that section of the Lawn -- overseeding/plugging/sodding depending on the Grass.

However, if it's Cool Season Grass you have, WAIT 'til Fall, then overseed that area.  Any bare spots should be immediately seeded with Clover, Alfalfa or some other place-holder that will enrich Soil while barring Weeds.

And remember, you are homeowners Number 1,402,532 who made this mistake.  Lots of good company out there.  Live and Learn.

THE LONG ISLAND GARDENER