Without proper care your lawn can get stressed in the summer heat, and if a stressed lawn is ignored, it can spell disaster. Here are some tips that we recommend to keep your lawn soft, green, and healthy throughout the difficult summer months.
Water the right amount. Water is crucial to a healthy lawn, but over-watering can damage your turf just as under-watering can. Ideally, you should water your lawn deeply and infrequently. Frequent short watering times do not allow for deep saturation of the soil and roots. Too much water and you will create runoff and erosion.- Keep your grass long. Many people mow their turf too short. Mowing frequently but keeping the grass long will help protect it from heat stress. Longer blades of grass shade the soil and help keep water from evaporating. Longer grass also makes it more difficult for weeds to germinate and grow.
- Sharpen the blades of your lawn mower. Dull blades tear the tops of the grass instead of cutting them. If you notice the tops of your grass are brown, then you can bet that your mower blades need to be sharpened.
- Get rid of pests. Grubs are probably the worst lawn pest. If you treat for grubs, beetles, and other lawn pests you will prevent disease and dead spots on your lawn. At the first sign of any lawn pest you should immediately get it treated.
- Clean up summer toys and other items. Summer is a time for outdoor activities, but leaving toys, tables, or other items out on the grass can lead to dead spots and damage.
- Don’t drive or park on your turf. Driving and parking on your turf compacts the soil and damages the grass crowns. You may even want to cut down on walking on your grass during extreme heat waves.
If you have a dog, clean up after it. One of the most common reasons for dead spots in a lawn is from dog urine. The only complete solution for this problem is to train your dog to do its business in a designated area. If you are unable to do this, you can cut down on the damage by spraying the area right after your dog urinates to dilute the urine and prevent the grass from dying. While dog feces is less damaging than urine, it can still cause dead spots if left on the grass, so clean it up as soon as you can.- Don’t bag your lawn clippings. As long as you are mowing regularly, you can leave the clippings on your lawn. Not only will the clippings help retain moisture and act as a natural mulch, but they will also add nutrients to your turf.
If you are having problems with weeds, stressed turf, or pests, hiring professionals to come treat and maintain your lawn can get your turf back on track. These tips will help you keep your lawn healthy and green during the hot months of summer.