How To Maintain A Healthy Lawn This Summer
During summer your grass will be exposed to harsh weather and it might turn color to brown and the texture might be tough. The hot climate is unavoidable and it will not only affect your grass but most of the plants in the lawn as well. However, if you are adequately prepared your lawn will withstand the intense summer heat. Try the following tips to keep your lawn fresh and healthy through summer.
1 Feed Earlier And Regularly
It is advisable to apply fertilizer earlier in summer than in other seasons. The timely application is essential because the microbes in the soil absorb nutrients faster during this time. Besides, when you apply fertilizer at the beginning of summer your grass will have the nutrients required to facilitate faster growth and withstand throughout the season.
2. Manage Thatch
Thatch is a collection of the whole dead grass plant from the roots to the leaves that lies between the soil and the grass. Heaps of thatch on your lawn will be harmful to your lawn because they prevent essential nutrients from penetrating the soil.
You can manage soil compaction through a process called core aeration. When undertaking the process you will remove the small plugs of grass and soil from the ground which will enable the proper flow of air, water, and nutrients to the grass. Therefore you should ensure that no thatch piles on your lawn at any point of the season. You can manage the situation by raking the lawn regularly to remove any thatch that accumulates.
3. Weekly Maintenance
The two most important tasks that you should undertake on your lawn on a weekly basis this summer are mowing and watering. However, you have to know how to undertake the tasks right to realize the desired results.
During the heated weeks, it is advisable to mow high as this enables the roots to penetrate deeper into the soil. The penetration will help them reach for the essential nutrients and moisture the grass requires to survive the heat. It is also smart to water your lawn weekly and make sure that the water is enough to penetrate at least one inch deep to reach down to the roots. Always ensure that you water your lawn in the morning as watering it in the evening will expose your lawn to diseases and fungi.
4. Keep Away Weeds
If there are weeds in your lawn they will be competing with the grass for nutrients. It is, therefore, useful to include weeding to the chores you undertake on your lawn on a weekly basis. Make it your duty to uproot or spray any weeds that prop up on your lawn so that the nutrient on the soil can be used by the grass.
During summer your lawn will be affected by the high temperatures. However, this does not mean that the grass should die. With the useful tips above you can ensure that your lawn retains its look throughout the season. Try them and keep your lawn healthy all through summer.