Summer is heating up, and you know that means your lawn will be getting some serious sun. Hot weather can be tough on your lawn, but you can nurture it to be healthy and green during the summer heat. If you want to keep your lawn healthy in the summer months, you’ll need to start with a few tips. I know that it’s quite tempting to water your lawn a bit more than usual during hot spells, but there are some things that you should be aware of before succumbing to the temptation. The summer months can be brutal on lawns, but with these 7 simple steps, you can ensure that your yard survives the heat and looks great.
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Mow Often, But Not Too Short
Keep your lawn mowed to a height of 2.5 to 3 inches. This will allow plenty of leaf surface to absorb sunlight and keep your grass green. A taller lawn also shades out weeds, reducing their chances of sprouting in your yard. When mowing, make sure you don’t remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time.
Water Deeply and Infrequently
You should water your lawn deeply once or twice a week to give it a light watering every day. Watering infrequently allows water to penetrate deeply into the soil, so the roots have plenty of moisture even in hotter temperatures. It also reduces the amount of evaporation from the soil during the day, retaining more moisture for longer periods. Try not to water during the hottest part of the day to avoid too much evaporation, and make sure you’re applying enough water to wet down at least 6 inches of soil.
Water Early in the Morning
Watering during midday or at night can cause fungus to develop in your lawn. Set your sprinkler to go off early in the morning so that any excess water evaporates throughout the day, and make sure you aren’t over-watering as this will cause you to lose water to evaporation. Be sure to learn about lawn and turf as well.
Keep Your Lawn Mower Blades Sharp
The hotter the weather, the more likely your lawn will dry out and become stressed. If you’re cutting it with dull mower blades, you’re adding insult to injury. Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly. If you notice that your lawn looks raggedy after you mow, or if the grass clippings are sticking together in small clumps rather than breaking down into particles small enough that they’ll decompose quickly, this is a sign that your blades might not be their sharpest. It’s best to keep up with routine maintenance so that your mower isn’t in danger of working its blades too hard. That is why it is also important that you know the different lawn mower types. Still, if you need a quick solution, you can get proven lawn care from a professional.
Remove Weeds
Weeds can be problematic for various reasons, but they can be especially damaging in hot summers. They compete with grass for water and nutrients, and they may even poison the roots of neighboring grass plants. It’s best to remove them as soon as you spot them. If you’re unsure how to identify weeds or don’t know how to safely remove them, You should search for a proven lawn care near me, and you’ll get the necessary help.
Fertilize, But with Care
While you may want to avoid fertilizing altogether in the summer, make sure you don’t put it on too thick. If you do, it will burn your lawn if you’re set on it. Also, make sure to use a fertilizer that has slow-release nitrogen. This will give your lawn plenty of time to absorb the nutrients before they have a chance to get away from the roots and out of the reach of your grass. A slow-release also will ensure that your lawn gets its share of food over time rather than all at once, which can cause more harm than good.
Keep Your Mower at the Right Height
You want your grass to be at its healthiest in the summer, but it can’t be that way if you’re cutting it too short. Doing this is extremely painful for your lawn. Your lawn needs to be kept at about three inches high during the summer heat, and if you’re not sure how to adjust your mower blade, contact proven lawn care.
Bottom Line
Just like everything else, lawns will have their ups and downs during the hot summer season. Maintaining a healthy lawn without any care can be difficult, but it’s definitely not impossible. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to maintain your lawn throughout the season and into the next year. So don’t give up just because of a few bad weeks out of the entire season.