Your lawn has looked lush and green throughout the spring, but during the summer, the heat makes lawn maintenance more difficult. Keep grass healthy during the warmer months with a few basic summer lawn care tips.
For Optimal Summer Lawn Care, Cut One-Third of the Blade’s Length
A healthy lawn during the summer depends on smart landscaping. Grass grows more quickly in warmer weather, but this doesn’t mean you should cut it down to a short height. Regardless of the lawn’s height, only cut one-third of its length at a given time. Less stress on the plant allows it to withstand summer’s heat.
For grass that has grown too long, stick to the one-third rule, but mow more frequently. The grass has a chance to recover from the trimming while retaining enough height to photosynthesize.
Keep Your Blades Sharp
Cutting the lawn with a dull lawnmower will tear the grass and make it vulnerable. Keep the mower’s blades sharp so that clean cuts are made across the turf. Grass heals much faster when it is not shredded by dull blades. Leave the cut pieces of grass on the lawn as a moisture-retaining mulch.
To Care for Your Lawn in Summer, Water Deeply
Sprinkling the lawn with water every day seems like a good idea for turf hydration, but it has a negative effect on the roots. A lawn that is watered a little each day will develop a shallow root system. Instead, water deeply and allow the grass to dry until the next saturation. This encourages the roots to grow deeper. Deep roots strengthen the turf so it becomes established enough to last through any season.
Let it Grow Longer for a Healthy Lawn During the Summer
Allow the lawn to grow a bit longer than normal during the summer. There are several good reasons for this strategy. Long blades can photosynthesize, or produce energy more readily, which contributes to a strong lawn under hot conditions. Long grass also shades the soil below. As a result, water is slower to evaporate and your lawn retains more moisture.
Know When to Aerate Your Lawn
The type of grass on your lawn will determine when you should aerate your lawn. Warm weather grasses should be aerated in spring and throughout the summer. Cool weather grasses should be aerated when the weather begins to cool. Don’t aerate the turf during an extreme heat wave or drought. The process increases water evaporation and can stress your lawn.
A healthy lawn during the summer is allowed to grow, accepts ample water, and thrives with regular trimming. Caring for your lawn isn’t an exact science, but most major issues can be avoided with these tips. Consult landscaping professionals if there are pests or extreme issues with your lawn. Their assistance can make a difference in your lawn’s appearance and overall health.
Sunbelt Inspections provides home inspections services to Houston and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.