Summer Survival Guide: Essential Tips for Your Lawn
Your lawn will either thrive in the summertime or suffer from the intense heat. Use these easy tips to ensure your grass stays healthy and green all summer long instead of letting it suffer.
Early Morning Tasks
1. Water, water, water
Everyone knows water is essential for nice grass, but it's important to do it right. Deep watering less frequently is ideal for lawn grass growth, while frequent shallow watering promotes shallow roots that are more vulnerable to stressors like drought. You may only need to water your lawn during long, dry spells of no rain.
2. Mowing
You should mow the grass a bit higher than you'd expect. When you do this, the grass will shade the soil better, creating less water evaporation. A good idea is for the grass to be about three inches tall but research your exact type of grass to make sure that it is suited for your lawn. As the summer goes on, you may want to check to ensure the blades are still sharp. All that mowing can dull them, so they no longer make a sharp, clean cut.
3. Weed control
Lawns typically develop weeds and weed seeds, but the grass and weeds fight for light, water and nutrients. Early morning is an excellent time to pull weeds, especially after rain or watering. When the soil is moist, weeds are easier to remove, allowing you to get the entire root and prevent them from coming back.
Midday Tasks
1. Keep an eye on those pests
Look for signs of pests or lawn diseases. Healthy soil and proper care can prevent many issues, but catching problems early makes a huge difference.
2. Aeration
Midday is a good time for aeration if your soil has become compacted. To let water and nutrients reach the roots of the grass, use an aerator to make tiny holes in the soil. Certain materials can kill your grass, such as thatch. Thatch is a layer of dead grass that can suffocate your lawn. You can use a rake to remove it in the spring or early summer.
3. Feeding
Midday is a good time to spread organic fertilizers. These release nutrients slowly and improve soil health without the risk of chemical buildup. It is important that you stay away from any harsh chemicals. This can harm wildlife and even the greatest soil can be ruined by synthetic fertilizers if they are used incorrectly. Lawn grasses require a balanced diet. In particular, nitrogen is necessary to maintain a lush green lawn.
Try using compost on your grass. This builds up organic material in the soil, and it is a great way to re-use your food waste.
Evening Tasks
1. Bare Spot Repair
If you notice your yard looking a little bald, evening is a good time to reseed any bare spots. Use a mix of grass seed, fertilizer and mulch to patch these areas. You must keep the newly seeded spots moist, so grass grows well. Watering them at night keeps the water from evaporating as fast as it would during the day.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can ensure your lawn stays healthy and green all summer long. Remember to water deeply, mow high, pull weeds, keep an eye on pests, aerate, feed your lawn and repair any bare spots. Your lawn will thank you for it!