With hot summer weather here, you need to make some changes to the way you care for your lawn to keep it healthy. Some of the practices that you follow at other times of the year can do more harm than good during the summer.
One mistake many people make is cutting their grass too short in the summer. This makes it harder for the grass to grow back because it has less energy. If it is cut less, the grass will develop strong roots that can help it grow. You should never cut off more than one-third of the length of the grass at one time. Do some research to find out the recommended height for your particular species of grass in the summer.
Do not mow your lawn during a drought. This can put too much stress on the grass and make it hard for the grass to recover. Mow your lawn the day after it rains or you water it. Do not mow wet grass because it can clump.
Make sure your lawn mower blade is sharp. Grass that is cut with a sharp blade will heal faster. If you use a dull blade, it will tear the grass and it may become brown and susceptible to disease and stress.
You can return nutrients to your lawn by using a mulching lawn mower. If you are near a body of water, bag the clippings near the edge to avoid polluting the water.
You should not fertilize your lawn during the summer because this will stimulate the grass to grow. It will use more energy than it produces, which can cause stress. You also should not cause temporary damage to the lawn with dethatching or aerification during the summer.
Homeowners often overwater their lawns in the summer because they think this will keep the grass healthy in the heat. However, grass will actually do better if it is allowed to dry out between watering. Too much water can deprive the roots of oxygen and allow diseases to flourish. It is best to water infrequently and to use enough water to penetrate the entire roots. Then wait until the grass is dried out before watering again. Do not water every day. The grass only needs an inch of water per week.
A sprinkler system can help you control the amount of water your lawn gets to make sure it receives the right amount on a regular basis. You can set up a sprinkler system on a timer so you can make sure your lawn is watered even if you are away. Order a sprinkler system and timer from Sprinkler System Store today.
