Green Space Maintenance in Heat and Drought: What Vienna Property Managers Should Know Now

This article does not constitute legal advice. It summarises publicly available information and professional recommendations and does not replace a legal or expert assessment of the individual case.

Why summer 2026 is putting green spaces under exceptional strain

Summer 2026 has set new benchmarks in Vienna: at the end of June, the city recorded a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius for the first time, and in early August another heat wave is pushing daily highs well above 35 degrees. Added to this is pronounced drought, stressing lawns, hedges and young trees alike.

One retail figure illustrates how much the issue is occupying private and commercial property owners: online retailer Galaxus.at sold 75 percent more lawn sprinklers in June and July 2026 than in the same period last year. At the same time, Austrian media are already discussing the “farewell to the English lawn” – the question of whether densely mown, deep-green turf is still appropriate in an urban climate at all.

For property managers and owners’ associations, this is more than an aesthetic question. Well-maintained green areas are part of preserving a property’s value, they influence the living climate – according to the City of Vienna, green areas can cool the surrounding air by several degrees – and they are a frequent focal point for resident complaints: scorched lawns, dried-out new plantings, falling deadwood.

What heat and drought do to lawns and woody plants

Lawns respond to drought stress first by stopping growth, then by turning brown and straw-like. This looks dramatic but is often reversible: the grasses retreat into their roots and regrow after sufficient watering or rain. It becomes critical when severely weakened areas are stressed further – for example by mowing too short, scarifying or fertilising during the heat period.

With trees and shrubs, the situation is more delicate. Persistent drought leads to premature leaf drop, withered branches and deadwood in the crown. This is not just a visual problem but a liability issue: whoever manages a property must ensure that trees on the premises do not pose an avoidable danger to people or property. After dry, hot weeks – and especially after the thunderstorms that typically follow heat waves – visual inspections of tree stock are therefore more important than in normal years.

Watering and mowing correctly: the key rules

Professional practice has settled on a few ground rules for heat periods:

• Water less often, but deeply. Once or twice a week for around 45 to 60 minutes is more effective than brief daily sprinkling. The water reaches deeper soil layers and encourages strong root growth.
• Water early in the morning. The ideal window is roughly between 5 and 9 a.m.: evaporation is low and the water can soak in before the heat sets in. Watering in the midday heat wastes water and can damage the grass further.
• Mow higher. Instead of the usual four centimetres or so, a cutting height of around six centimetres is recommended during dry spells. The longer grass shades the soil and retains moisture better.
• Skip fertiliser and scarifying. Both put additional strain on stressed areas and belong in autumn or spring.
• Prioritise new plantings. Young trees and freshly planted hedges have not yet developed deep roots and are the first to dry out. If water or time is limited, they take priority over the lawn.

Professional green space maintenance is now thinking one step further: between summer drought stress and heavy-rain events, the condition of the soil is moving centre stage – healthy, absorbent soil buffers both extremes better. Measures such as adjusted mowing intervals, mulching, or converting selected areas to more robust, drought-tolerant planting are therefore not a cost-cutting exercise but an investment in lower follow-up costs.

What property managers should plan now

For managers of residential complexes and commercial properties, the rest of the summer can be structured around four points:

1. Agree a watering plan with the maintenance provider. Define which areas will be watered, which may deliberately go into summer dormancy, and at what times watering takes place.
2. Commission tree and shrub inspections. Visual checks for deadwood, withered branches and pest infestation, documented with date and findings – particularly with a view to thunderstorms and wind following heat periods.
3. Adjust mowing and maintenance intervals. Lawns barely grow during dry spells; rigid mowing schedules then do more harm than good. Flexible arrangements with the service provider pay off.
4. Think ahead to autumn and winter. Those who plan overseeding, soil improvement and, where appropriate, the conversion of selected areas in late summer will start next spring with noticeably more resilient green spaces.

When green space maintenance, caretaking and cleaning come from a single provider, such adjustments are easy to implement – one point of contact, one coordinated service plan, no friction between multiple companies.

Heat protection for staff: new ordinance since January 2026

One aspect of green space maintenance that is often overlooked: the work takes place outdoors, frequently in direct sun. Since January 2026, a dedicated ordinance in Austria has granted employees working outdoors extended protection against heat and UV radiation. For clients, this primarily means that a professional maintenance company will schedule work during heat periods into the early morning hours and provide breaks and protective measures – which can affect service times and scheduling. Reputable providers raise this proactively rather than pushing appointments through the midday heat.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does a brown lawn need to be re-laid? No, in most cases it does not. A brown lawn is usually just in summer dormancy and recovers within a few weeks after sufficient watering or substantial rain. Only if areas remain bare into autumn is overseeding advisable.

How often should mowing take place during heat periods? During pronounced dry spells, lawns barely grow, so the mowing interval can be extended considerably. When mowing does take place, it should be at a higher cutting height of around six centimetres to shade the soil.

Who is liable if a withered branch hits a person or a vehicle? As a rule, responsibility for the safety of trees rests with the property owners or the management company they have appointed. Regular, documented inspections by a professional company are the best way to reduce this risk. The details depend on the individual case and should be reviewed legally.

Is it worth converting to drought-tolerant planting? For many properties, yes. Sections planted with robust perennials, meadow mixes or ground cover need less water and fewer maintenance visits than classic ornamental turf. The conversion is best planned in autumn together with the maintenance provider.

Green space maintenance from a single source

WG Dienstleistungen maintains the green spaces of residential and commercial properties in Vienna and the surrounding area – from ongoing care and adaptation to heat periods through to preparation for autumn and winter service. Our team tailors watering, mowing and inspections to each property and documents every visit transparently for the management.

Would you like to get your green spaces through the summer in good shape? Contact us for a non-binding quote for green space maintenance.