Top 5 Tips for a Healthy 2023 Summer Lawn
As the owner of a lawn care company, I am often asked for tips on how to keep residential and commercial lawns looking their best. We have some rain coming this week which will cross our top tip off the list for the week, but you can’t always count on the local weather!Regular Watering
In my experience, providing regular and sufficient water to your lawn is a fundamental aspect of commercial and residential lawn care. A healthy lawn typically requires about 1 to 1.5 inches of water weekly. Ensuring this amount of water reaches your lawn, especially during the dry summer, can be the difference between a vibrant green lawn and a thirsty, yellowing one.
But it’s not just the quantity of water that matters; it’s also the watering technique. A light sprinkle every day may seem like a good approach, but it can lead to shallow root growth. Shallow roots can make your lawn more vulnerable to droughts and disease. Instead, watering your lawn deeply once or twice a week is much better. This approach encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, promoting a more robust and resilient lawn.
How do you know if you’re watering your lawn correctly? Keep an eye on it. If it starts to wilt or turn a blue-gray color, it’s time to water. Also, if footprints remain on the grass long after being made, that’s another sign your lawn needs water. By understanding your lawn’s needs and applying strategies for drought tolerance, you can maintain a lush, healthy lawn that’s the envy of your neighborhood.
Mowing Height
Mowing height is another key aspect of routine lawn maintenance. Deciding how short to cut your grass is a vital decision that can significantly impact your lawn’s health and appearance. Over the years, in my lawn care business, I’ve seen a remarkable difference that proper mowing can make.
I always recommend keeping your grass longer during summer. A longer lawn can shade the soil effectively, reducing water evaporation and aiding in water conservation. This shade can also serve another crucial function: preventing weed growth. Limiting the amount of sunlight reaching the soil makes weed seeds less likely to germinate and invade your lawn.
Is it better to keep your lawn short or long?
Generally, maintaining grass at a height between 2.5 and 3.5 inches is ideal. This range is a good balance that allows optimal photosynthesis without causing undue stress to the grass. However, the best height can depend on the grass type, the season, and local climate conditions. Understanding these factors and mowing appropriately can promote a healthier, greener lawn.
Read our article on:The Importance of Mowing Height for Healthy Summer Lawn Care
Dethatching
Dealing with thatch is an important yet often overlooked part of residential lawn care. If you’ve ever felt a springy layer beneath your feet when walking on a lawn, you’ve experienced thatch. Thatch is a layer of living and dead grass shoots, stems, and roots that sit between the green grass above and the soil below. In moderation, thatch can be beneficial, providing a natural mulch that helps to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature. However, too much of it can be a problem.
If left unchecked, excessive thatch can form a thick mat that prevents water, air, and nutrients from reaching the soil. It can also harbor insects and disease organisms, leading to less healthy and potentially damaged lawns. Hence, controlling thatch is essential in maintaining a healthy, vibrant lawn. A thatch layer thicker than half an inch signals that your lawn could benefit from dethatching.
Dethatching can be done in a few ways, including using a special dethatching rake or a vertical mower. However, the process can be strenuous and time-consuming, particularly for larger lawns. If you need to get up to the task, feel free to call in a professional lawn care service. Make sure to dethatch your lawn periodically to maintain its health and keep it looking its best.
Edge Your Lawn
As someone who deals with lawn care daily, I can’t stress enough the importance of edging your lawn. It’s one of those finishing touches that might seem unnecessary or purely aesthetic at first, but it goes beyond mere looks.
Edging creates a neat border that delineates your lawn, giving it a clean, manicured appearance. More importantly, it prevents the grass from spreading into places it’s not supposed to grow, like driveways, sidewalks, and garden beds. This keeps your lawn looking sharp and maintains the integrity and aesthetics of your overall landscape.
By creating a clear boundary between your lawn and other areas, edging reduces the time and effort required for maintenance. It’s easier to mow the lawn, and there’s less need for weeding in your garden beds or sweeping your walkways. So, whether you’re a seasoned lawn enthusiast or a beginner in lawn care, remember to edge your lawn – your yard, and your neighbors, will thank you.
Drainage
Finally, another crucial element that sometimes slips under the radar in residential lawn care is ensuring proper drainage. All the water you apply to your lawn, either through irrigation or rainfall, must go somewhere. It should soak into the soil, providing moisture for your grass’s root system. However, in cases where the lawn’s drainage is inadequate, you could run into problems.
Poor drainage can lead to waterlogged areas, creating soggy spots that are unpleasant underfoot and can harm your lawn. Excessive water can suffocate grassroots and create an ideal environment for diseases and pests. It can kill patches of grass and promote disease growth, turning a once-lush lawn into a patchy, unattractive mess. By addressing drainage issues promptly, you can ensure your lawn stays vibrant and healthy, regardless of the weather conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Regular Watering
- Mowing Height
- Dethatching
- Edge Your Lawn
- Drainage
We’re here to help!
