Properly Caring for your lawn during hot summer days is crucial in keeping it healthy and green. The most critical advice is to water your lawn regularly and deeply.
Limit watering
Don’t overwater. Your grass does better when the soil is on the dry side. Excess moisture can deprive roots of oxygen, making them more susceptible to diseases.
Instead, water your lawn once weekly with a deep, thorough watering that moistens the entire root zone. Watering less frequently allows the grass to dry out between waterings.
For best results, water early in the morning. Give the grass time to absorb moisture before the sun dries it out by mid-day. Avoid watering in the evening; it can leave water standing overnight and encourage mold and fungus growth.
Avoid cutting your grass too short.
Proper grass height is key in promoting plant growth. Mow your lawn tall, keeping it at least three inches long to reduce water loss and shade the soil. This promotes stronger roots, improving their ability to absorb water, nutrients, and oxygen. Trimming too short creates stress and weakens the grass.
Maintain your lawn’s vitality in hot weather by following the 1/3 Rule. Only remove a third of your grass’s height at a time. This technique retains more plant tissue, keeping your lawn cooler and healthier. Avoid damaging your lawn and allow it to thrive and recover from mowing with this simple rule.
Avoid cutting your lawn during a hot day.
In times of drought, refrain from mowing your lawn. Mowing during this period can further stress your lawn. Instead, cut it after rain or irrigation. Avoid mowing when the grass is still wet to prevent clumping. Your lawn will thank you.
Sharpen Mower Blades
Sharp mower blades cut evenly and don’t yank the roots. This is less stressful and better for overall health. Stressed grass is prone to disease.
Avoid over Fertilizing
Fertilizing during the heat of the summer does more harm than good. Heat stresses the grass. Applying fertilizer accelerates growth and further weakens it. For the best results, fertilize during fall.
Pest Control
During the summer, insects and diseases can wreak havoc on your lawn. Common culprits are Chinch bugs, sod webworms, armyworms, fire ants, and fleas. Additionally, fungal infections like mildew and a brown patch can pop up.
To prevent these issues:
- Water your lawn in the early morning and avoid nighttime watering.
- Apply a fungicide on a mild day after hot temperatures have subsided.
Minimize foot traffic
Protect the health of your lawn by avoiding excessive foot traffic. Constant trampling can damage grass blades, hindering their ability to spring back. Use stepping stones to redirect people and preserve the lawn’s lush greenery.
Call a Pro at Red Shovel Landscape
We offer a complimentary lawn care analysis. We create a customized service plan to ensure the greenest, most beautiful lawn possible.
From weed and pest control to fertilization, aeration, and disease control, we provide a comprehensive range of services to make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood.
Trust the experts at Red Shovel Landscape to transform your lawn into a stunning outdoor oasis.
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