May is upon us and that means that temperatures will be rising. The saying is that ‘April showers bring May flowers’, but when the oppressive summer heat is upon us you may find it difficult to keep your grass looking green and healthy. Luckily, there are some simple lawn care tips and techniques that can help your lawn prosper even at the height of summer sun and temperatures.
Mowing Tips
How and when you mow your grass can affect how well your lawn can handle the hot temperatures and harsh sun. You can help support a healthy lawn by:
- Setting your mower at three inches or the highest setting. Taller grass can cope with the heat much more efficiently.
- When you mow, make it a practice to trim just the top third of the grass height.
- Mow early in the morning or in the evening to avoid exposing freshly cut grass to peak daytime temperatures.
Lawn Treatments
Fertilizing and lawn treatments are an important part of a healthy lawn, but ensuring you are treating with the right products at the right time is vital. Simple lawn treatment tips include:
- Make sure you are treating for the right type of grass. This is a great guide to when you should treat based on location and grass type.
- Fertilize your warm-season grass in the summer. Summer is the growing season for this type of grass and the nitrogen found in the fertilizer will support healthy growth despite the heat.
- Avoid fertilizing your cool-season grass during the summer. While the fertilizer will trigger growth, it is the dormant season for the grass, so it will not be as lush and green as you would like.
- Don’t try to seed during the hot days of summer. Weed treatments and seeding are often a lost cause and will cost you time, money, and energy that is better spent during spring or fall.
Watering
Watering is an important part of a healthy lawn, but it’s important that you not just water regularly, but that you water when your grass needs it and when it can utilize it best. Some simple lawn care watering tips include:
- Water when your grass turns an almost blue-gray color. The appearance of the grass is a great indicator of whether it needs to be watered. Also, if you step on your grass and it stays patted down, it needs more water.
- A simple rule of thumb is to ensure that you are watering 1- 1.5 inches of water a week. Some turf may need more, and some may need less but this is a great starting point. You can find several ways to measure water amounts here.
- Water in the morning. This gives the soil enough time to absorb the water before it evaporates or the sun burns the grass.
By following these simple lawn care tips, you will find that managing a beautiful lawn even in the summer heat is easier than ever before. As you experiment with these tips, you will find the sweet spot for watering times and amounts, lawn treatments, and mowing so it will become second nature.
Embrace the Heat with Archer Services
Even in the Texas heat, your outdoor space can be a place you love to be! Looking to improve your landscaping? Give us a call today and we can help you make the most of your grass care with beautiful landscaping features.
