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Summer is synonymous with vacation, sandy beaches, and long-awaited relaxation. However, amidst the excitement and leisure, we must pay attention to the care and maintenance of our outdoor spaces, particularly our lawns.
A healthy summer lawn is a vibrant backdrop for memorable outdoor gatherings, a soft carpet for barefoot strolls, and a refreshing oasis in the scorching heat. To ensure your lawn remains in top shape during the summer months, it is crucial to keep up with your summer lawn maintenance.
Follow this essential summer lawn care guide to balance enjoying your well-deserved break and nurturing a thriving, green lawn all summer long.
Mowing
Mowing is an essential part of lawn care during summer. Grass grows quickly during the warm months, so keeping up with regular mowing is necessary.
Mow as needed.
If the grass is growing rapidly, you might have to mow more frequently, but increasing the intervals between mowing is advisable as the temperatures increase. Allowing the grass to grow taller will provide better shading for the soil, helping to maintain its coolness.
Maintain sharp mower blades.
Ensure you sharpen your lawn mower blades for a clean, even cut. Dull blades on a lawn mower lead to uneven cuts that can injure the grass. Generally, you will want to sharpen lawn mower blades at least twice per season or every 25 mowing hours.
Mow high.
Follow the one-third rule and avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Cutting the grass too short can shock the roots and cause your lawn to turn brown.
Irrigation
Watering your lawn is crucial during summer when lawns are more susceptible to heat and drought conditions.
Water deeply and infrequently.
Instead of frequent shallow watering, watering your lawn deeply and less often is better. This encourages the growth of deep and strong roots, making your lawn more resilient to drought conditions.
Aim for about 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation.
Water in the morning.
The best time to water your lawn is early morning, preferably before 10 a.m. This allows the grass to dry out during the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Watering in the morning also ensures that the water is absorbed efficiently before the heat of the day causes excessive evaporation.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your lawn during summer is important to provide it with essential nutrients to support its growth and health. Choose a fertilizer suitable for your grass type, and apply it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Don't fertilize when it's very hot (around 85 degrees or higher) in summer because it can harm the lawn and hinder growth in high temperatures.
Apply in early summer.
Ideally, fertilize your lawn in early summer, before the hottest part of the season. This allows the grass to absorb and utilize the nutrients effectively.
Avoid fertilizing during high heat or drought conditions.
If your region is experiencing severe drought or water restrictions, it's best to postpone fertilization. Fertilizing during drought can stress the lawn and hinder its ability to absorb nutrients effectively.
Never apply fertilizer to a dormant lawn.
Skip the summer application next year.
Skip the summer fertilizer application with our best-selling Fairway Formula Spring Lawn Fertilizer Weed & Feed and Crabgrass Preventer. When applied in the spring, it feeds your lawn for up to 12 weeks while controlling over 200 common weeds and preventing crabgrass.
Weed Control
Weeds are a common problem during summer, but proper weed control can prevent them from taking over your lawn.
Pull weeds by hand.
Hand weeding is the safest and most eco-friendly way to control weeds, but it's not as efficient because you may not remove the entire root and could accidentally spread weed seeds.
Apply emergence herbicides
Apply Preen Lawn Weed Control if you have a large number of weeds. It kills over 200 tough broadleaf lawn weeds down to the root, including chickweed, knotweed, plantain, henbit, spurge, and more. Be careful not to apply too much, as it can damage your lawn.
Aeration
Aeration is the process of removing small plugs of soil from your lawn to allow water and air to penetrate the soil more easily. This is particularly important during summer when the soil can become compacted due to heavy foot traffic or rainfall.
Choose the right time.
Aerating your lawn in early summer helps roots grow deep before the hot weather.
Prepare your lawn.
Before aerating, mow your lawn to a slightly shorter height than usual. This helps the aerator penetrate the soil more effectively. Remove debris, such as rocks or sticks, from the surface to avoid obstructions during aeration.
Aerate the lawn:
Start by operating the aerator in a pattern that covers the entire lawn area. Make sure to overlap each pass slightly to ensure complete coverage. The aeration depth should be 2-3 inches for most lawns. If your lawn has severe compaction, make multiple passes in different directions.
Pest Control
Summer is the season for pests such as grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms. These pests can damage your lawn by feeding on the roots and blades of grass, causing it to turn brown and die.
Identify the pests.
Proper identification of the pests affecting your lawn is essential for targeted control measures. Take note of any visible damage, signs of infestation, or specific pests you come across. This will help you choose the appropriate pest control methods.
Apply pesticides or insecticides.
If pest infestations become significant and threaten the health of your lawn, consider a pesticide application to control the problem.
Conclusion
To fully enjoy your outdoor space, it's crucial to take care of your lawn during summer. Regular mowing, deep watering, proper fertilization, weed control, soil aeration, and pest prevention are all critical for summer lawn care.
Following these summer lawn care tips will help you maintain a healthy and beautiful lawn that impresses your neighbors. Give your lawn the care it deserves this summer, and you'll have a vibrant outdoor space to enjoy with your family all season.