The summertime is when grass undergoes the most stress. Factors like hot temperatures, diseases, and increased traffic can leave once-green lawns looking brown. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow these tips on how to keep your lawn green in the summer heat!
Water Grass in the Morning
The best time to water is in the early morning, sometime between 6 am and 10 am, as the sun will dry the grass.
Watering the lawn at night is not typically recommended. Due to the lower temperatures and absence of sunlight, the water doesn’t have a chance to evaporate. This prolonged moisture can lead to the development of lawn diseases.
At the same time, water less often but deeply, so the soil is moist several inches down. This will help encourage grass roots to grow deeper, making the lawn more drought-tolerant.
Aerate the Soil
Lawn aeration is the process of perforating the lawn with tons of holes. This breaks up the soil, allowing water, fertilizer, and seed to seep in. Typically, this process is done once a year.
Aeration can be performed with a garden fork by pushing it into the ground at approximately 1-foot intervals. Or, you can rent an aerator for larger lawns.
Seed Your Lawn
Your lawn can become a little thin in areas due to everyday traffic. Children, pets, or workers can cause wear and tear. Overseeding the area will help make it lush. Seeding in fall is the best choice, and spring is the next-best option.
Fertilize the Lawn
A slow-release fertilizer will release a small, steady amount of nutrients over time. Replenishing nutrients regularly will help produce a thick, healthy lawn and crowd out weeds. So, feed your lawn every 6 to 8 weeks.
Take Care of Weeds
Remove weeds early and often. It’s best to make this a regular habit, as there are so many invasive plants. Think of dandelions, crabgrass, and poison ivy, to name a few! Instead of applying weed killer to the whole lawn, you can pull them by hand or use a weeding fork.
Keep Your Grass Longer
Use your lawn mower’s highest setting. Longer grass promotes deep roots, which is key to a dense and healthy lawn.
Do not cut the grass shorter than 3 to 3.5 inches in length or cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade at once. Mowing the grass too short can be damaging.
Have a Sharp Lawn Mower Blade
It’s important to ensure the lawn mower blades are kept sharp. A dull blade tears the grass, causing damage to the plant and making it more susceptible to browning.
After mowing, take a look at a blade of grass to see if it’s shredded or frayed. If the answer is yes, it’s time to sharpen or replace the mower blade.
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