Your early spring seeding and fertilizing has paid off and you’ve manicured a beautiful lawn. Now how do you maintain a dark, lush, looking lawn through summer heat waves?
Here’s some Summer Lawn Care Tips from our Friends at Jonathan Green.
1. Apply Fertilizer
Late May to Early June is the optimal time to apply lawn fertilizer to keep to keep your lawn green through summer. Avoid fertilizing wet lawns, or in temps reaching higher than 85°.
Be sure you’re not overfertilizing when it’s too hot, as this can burn your grass and stress it the point of becoming dull and yellow.
If weeds aren’t a problem for you, or if the weather has already hit and maintained 85° and above, it’s best to shoot for a lawn fertilizer that is organic. We recommend Jonathan Green Organic Lawn Food. This blend gently nourishes your lawn without burning doing those hot summer months.
But, if broadleaf weeds such as chickweed, clover, or dandelions are causing you stress – you’ll be best served with Jonathan Green Weed & Feed Fertilizer which focuses on ridding your lawn of weeds while providing your lawn the nutrients it requires to prevent weeds from returning. Just remember that weed controls need to be spread on a wet lawn in order to attach onto the weed’s leaves to work effectively. However, keep an eye on the upcoming forecast prior to applying, you’ll need 2-3 days of no rain, otherwise the weed control will wash away.
Note: For any fertilizer make sure to read the instructions thoroughly, to avoid over feeding and burning your lawn if not applied appropriately.
2. Consistent Watering
Excessive summer heat makes watering your lawn even more essential. Nothing will make your lawn’s appearance more brown, patchy, and dry than inconsistent watering combined with the summer sun.
A few key factors should be considered during summer watering to maintain a healthy, green lawn. Upping your watering schedule is the first. A half inch of water, four times a week provides the perfect amount needed for summer. This provides roughly two inches per week to encourage growth during heat and drought.
The other key factor is watering your lawn at the right time of day. Many mistake late evening as the best time to water – but in actuality this can make your grass more prone to developing lawn fungus. Opt for watering in the morning or early afternoon. The earlier the better to allow your grass in dry throughout the day. Watering later on in the day could lead the water droplets ma Water droplets can magnify the effects of afternoon sun. Plus any access water not absorbed before nightfall could develop fungus overnight.
3. Adjust Mowing Height
Did you know that longer grass promotes longer root systems? Before hopping on the riding mower, make sure your blades are sharp and have the deck set to about 3 inches. Any shorter and your grass may become too stressed. Reduce this possibility by keeping slightly longer grass blades, hence longer root systems which help give water easier access to hydrate your lawn throughout hot summer days.
4. Stop Insects In Their Tracks
Sorry to break it to you, but even the most manicured of lawns are still susceptible to pests. For example, grubs slowly munch away at the roots of your lawn creating unattractive brown spots. Other insects called chinch bugs can become a nightmare for your lawn too. Jonathan Green Grub & Insect Control protects lawns from insect damage from top to bottom. It is easiest to kill grubs in mid-spring before they lay their eggs or in late summer once the eggs of the next generation have hatched. The formula also contains lambda-cyhalothrin to achieve excellent control of surface feeding insects such as ants, fleas, crickets, chinch bugs, earwigs, and ticks.
Summer Lawn Care Takeaway
Remember these four things and rest assured you’ll be prepared for summer lawn success:
- Fertilize
- Water
- Adjust Mowing Height
- Control Insects