The hot, dry summer days are here, and with them can come brown and brittle lawns. Many lawns seem to literally bake in the blistering heat, but if you look around, there will always be one or two lawns that look lush and green. That may leave you scratching your head, wondering how those neighbors magically prevent their lawns from feeling the summer sun’s effects.
The truth is, there are some simple things you can do to help keep your lawn looking just as great — or better than — your neighbors’ lawns.
Here are a few tried and true tricks for maintaining a healthy, intact lawn during the extreme heat of the summer.
- Keep Your Grass TallerMowing is an integral part of lawn care. However, improper mowing habits can damage or even kill your grass. Mowing too short, or too frequently, puts additional stress on your lawn. When your lawn is cut too short, it reduces the grass’ ability to produce energy from light and restricts growth. Try adjusting your mower blade to a higher level and maintain your lawn’s height to around 2-3 inches.
- Keep Blades SharpWhether your lawn mower is of the riding variety, self-propelled, or electric, it’s vital to keep it properly maintained. When grass is cut with a dull blade, it actually tears the plant tissue. When grass is torn rather than cut, it will begin to brown on the surface and be more susceptible to disease. Sharper blades cleanly cut the grass, giving it room to heal faster and stay strong and healthy.
- Water Less FrequentlyIf you’re following the “keep your grass taller” rule, then you don’t need to water your grass as frequently. While shorter grass dries out faster and requires more watering, taller grass can hold on to moisture longer. But don’t get it twisted — even tall grass needs watering. Adjust your watering schedule to less frequently, but if there are dry spells, make sure to water your grass to give it the moisture it needs to stay healthy.
- Water EarlyTo help reduce water evaporation, water as early in the day as possible before it gets really sunny and hot. This will allow the water time to get deep into the soil without evaporating. You want the water to saturate into the grass and soil, not lay on top of it and evaporate before it’s had time to seep down.
- Don’t FertilizeThis may sound counterintuitive, but fertilizing during the dry, summer months can do more harm than good to your lawn. Throughout the hot months, cool-season grasses consume more than they can produce. Fertilizer stimulates even more growth, which depletes their energy and stresses them out. It’s similar to if you tried to run a marathon but haven’t had any sleep for a few days. Your body wouldn’t be able to handle the stress and extreme energy use without having had any rest. Let your lawn rest and give it time to rejuvenate its energy by keeping the fertilizer away during the summer months.
While having a healthy, green lawn is worthy of pride and praise, it’s just the beginning of what you can achieve. Adding in creative and state-of-the-art landscaping design features to match your beautiful lawn will take your curb appeal to the next level. If you’re ready to achieve an eye-catching yard, contact us today and learn about our landscaping services!