With Summer just a few days away, it’s time to start thinking about Summer lawn care. The hot and dry weather over these next few months can pose some problems when you are trying to keep your lawn lush and healthy. We have a few tips that will help you make sure your lawn stays beautiful and magazine-worthy through these hot summer months.
WATER, WATER, WATER
One of the hardest parts of taking care of your lawn during summer is making sure it receives enough water. The combination of high temperatures and lack of rain can be extremely damaging to your grass. The general rule of thumb is to make sure your grass is receiving 1-inch of water each week, sometimes even more according to how hot it gets in your area. You can place a flat-bottomed container on a flat area of your yard to keep track of how much water your lawn is really getting each week. Timing is important as well. You generally see people out in the morning watering their lawns because watering in the evening—just as the sun is about to go down—can create the optimal environment for fungal growth.
MOW IT
You should change the height on your mower blades to allow taller grass in the summer. Different types of grasses require different heights, so be sure to adjust accordingly. Generally, warm-season grasses are cut at 2”-3” and cool-season at 3”-4”. Keeping your grass longer during these hot months will give the ground some shade, keeping it from drying out as quickly. It will also encourage root growth and make the grass more tolerant to droughts. Another tip to remember is to not cut too much at once. If your grass has gotten exceptionally long, do not cut more than a third of the blade’s total height. If you cut too much at once, it can stress the grass and leave too thick of a layer of grass clippings. You also want to make sure your mower’s blades are sharp. If the blades are dull, it will tear away at the grass instead of giving it a clean cut.
MINIMIZE WEAR AND TEAR
Just as we use area and walkway rugs to protect high-traffic areas of our indoor flooring, you can do the same for your lawn. If you have high-traffic areas that you are struggling to keep looking healthy, consider installing purposeful walkways. You can install permanent concrete walkways, or simply use stones or pavers. This will also encourage people to stay off the grass if there are designated walkways to use.
HIRE A PRO
If you have not had any success keeping your lawn healthy through the hotter seasons, you may find it helpful to hire a professional company to come out and assess your lawn. Many great companies will offer a free estimate and will not only get your yard looking amazing, they will keep it that way.
Zippy Shell is standing by to help with all your moving and storage needs. We have facilities across the country so you can securely store your things while you move. Give us a call at 888-947-7974 or contact us online.