If you are anything like me, you can’t wait to get outside and enjoy the summer. It’s the season for barbecues, outdoor activities, home improvements, and enjoying your beautiful, green lawn. At least that is the image you may have. But if your lawn isn’t beautiful or green right now, all is not lost! There are some things you can do to perk up your lawn and keep it green all summer long.
1. Use the Right Sod or Seed
If you are reseeding or laying sod, make sure you select the appropriate type of grass. Some varieties of grass grow well in cooler climates, while others do well in warmer, sunnier climates. Do some research to find out which type of grass is the best option for your lawn. In addition, your fertilizing and watering needs will change with new seed or sod.
2. Water Infrequently, but Deeply
Watering once or twice a week with 1 to 1 ½ inches of water will provide enough moisture for most lawns. Just keep in mind that during the hot summer months, you may need to increase the frequency.
It is also important to water your lawn early in the morning so it has enough time to dry out during the day. Watering your lawn in the evening will create a damp environment that may encourage in diseases, and watering in the middle of the day can cause most of the water to evaporate before it can do its job.
3. Fertilize to Encourage Growth and Discourage Weeds
Fertilizing your lawn once every six to eight weeks can help keep the soil cool and provide less space for weeds to grow. But keep in mind that using too much fertilizer can damage your lawn, so if your grass grows too rapidly, you may want to fertilize less often. There are many options when it comes to fertilizers, and certain fertilizers are made to be used during specific times of the year, so keep this in mind as you select your products.
Do your best to control weeds early in the season. You may pull weeds manually if you don’t have many of them, but if your lawn has a lot of weeds throughout, you should consider using a weed killer.
4. Mow for Taller Grass
Don’t cut your grass too short. When you are mowing your lawn, you should set your mower on a high setting or about three inches from the ground. Taller grass provides shade, encourages a strong root system, and retains moisture longer than shorter grass.
5. Aerate to Encourage Absorption
Aeration is the process of perforating the lawn with small holes to encourage it to absorb water and nutrients. You can aerate small areas with the prongs of a pitchfork, but for larger areas, you might have someone with a large aeration machine to do the job. Aerating your lawn in the spring can help it look fabulous during those hot summer months.
Whether your lawn is already in great condition or is ready for a summer makeover, keeping these tips in mind should help you keep a gorgeous, green lawn all summer long!
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Author’s Bio:
Kym Preslar is a bit of a gardening and home improvement fanatic. She’s been working on her garden for over 5 years and loves writing about everything landscape-related. Whether it’s keeping care of sod or the greenhouse, she’s been there and done it all. Currently, she’s enjoying her time working at SodLawn as their Content Manager.