Summer Lawn Care Tips

Who doesn’t want a beautiful lush green lawn that is the envy of the neighborhood this summer? No need to hire a professional lawn care service company this Summer. It is easier and less time consuming than you think. Follow these simple steps this summer and your lawn will be perfect for cookouts or a game of soccer with the kids.

Watering is the key to a healthy lawn and is the most important during the summer. Summertime is when you lawn is least likely to get plenty of water from rain so make sure your lawn is getting 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week. Some grass varieties may need a bit more, so if you notice the grass beginning to turn yellow, up the water to 1.5 to 1.75 inches. Buy a rain gauge or mark an old soup can to make sure you lawn is getting adequate water from watering and rainfall.

A deep watering once or twice a week is better than watering every day. The easiest way to see if your lawn needs water is to walk across it. If you leave footprints it is time to water. The best time to water is between 4 am and 8 am, this way you will not lose water due to evaporation and the water will have time to soak into the ground before the mid day heat. Never water your lawn at night, the lawn will stay wet for a long period of time which can promote disease and affect the health of your lawn.

Mowing your lawn to the proper height is another key to a healthy lawn during the summer. Many lawns experience “burning” or “yellowing” patches due to the heat of the sun. To protect your lawn’s roots from the heat and to shade out weeds, leave your grass higher than you normally would - 2 to 4 inches depending on the grass type- this will also prevent the soil from drying out too quickly in between waterings.

A general rule for when to mow is to never take off more than 1/3 of the height. During the summer you will tend to mow more often then during the spring and fall months. Mowing during the cooler morning or evening hours is better not only for you but also for your lawn. Also remember to change the direction you mow periodically to avoid the “washboard” effect.

Finally, keep your lawn mowers blades sharp. The reason for sharpening lawn mower blades is that dull blades have a tendency to rip grass blades instead of cutting cleanly, leaving grass susceptible to diseases.