Summer is in full swing and chances are, your lawn is starting to feel the heat. Spring is all about getting your grass green and thick, but summer is all about keeping that luscious lawn looking as good as it did when it first sprouted up…. which can be hard if rain is nowhere in the forecast and instructions for summer yard work are few and far between. The steps you take during the summer can make or break your lawn in the remaining months. Instead, take a look at a few tips to keeping your lawn looking fresh from the beginning of the season to the end.
We all know that mowing the lawn is a pain and cutting it short allows you a little extra time in between. However, cutting the grass too short can severely damage your yard and make it hard to maintain, especially in the sweltering heat. Longer grass shades the roots beneath and keeps the grass from drying out as quickly. The type of grass in your lawn in will determine the exact length that your grass should be at, but two to two-and-a-half inches is a good place to start.
As tempting as it may be to set your sprinklers on a timer to go off everyday, that is not what your lawn needs. Both too much and too little water can be detrimental to your lawn. Normal lawns needs about an inch of water per week to stay looking green, and watering about once or twice a week should do this optimally. In general, the morning is the best time to water and get premium results.
It may sound like a good idea to fertilize when your lawn is starting to look less than perfect, but you should hold off. Fertilizer generally doesn't do any good in the summer, and may add stress to the grass you already have growing. Instead, try to fertilize in the cooler months, usually the spring or fall.
When the weather is wonderful, outdoor activities tend to pick up in frequency. Although it's not discouraged to be active on your beautiful lawn, it may be a good idea to discourage a lot of foot traffic in the summer. When the season is rainy and the grass is well watered, the ground springs back into place after being stepped on. What's more, when the ground is overly dry, the grass is at risk for damage. Heavy foot traffic can also compact the soil, making it harder for the roots to get the air they need.
Contrary to popular belief, grass clippings are not a waste product. They can be very useful to improving or maintaining the health of your lawn; rather than bagging grass clippings, redistribute them throughout the lawn. These clippings not only provide extra shade from the extreme heat — they also put nutrients and water back into the soil.
These are just a few of the many steps you can take to make sure your lawn continues to look great throughout the summer months. With a little extra attention and care, you will reap the benefits of a great lawn throughout the seasons.
Written by Mike West, owner of WestCo Grounds Maintenance. WestCo provides the best solutions for lawn care Jefferson City MOhas to offer. They also specialize in irrigation and lawn sprinkler service.