Summer times means green lawns and spending time outside with family and friends. You want to make sure your entertainment space is gorgeous and vibrantly green.
There are many things that can take the green out of your grass, leaving your yard with unsightly brown patches. These tips can help keep your grass green and beautiful all season long, making it the perfect backdrop for entertaining.
1. Water the lawn
Most lawns need 1-1.5” of water a week from rainfall or sprinklers. It’s best to give your lawn more water less frequently to encourage roots to grow deeper. Timing depends on climate and soil type.
2. Adjust sprinklers
Make sure sprinklers are delivering water to every area of the lawn equally. Most sprinkler heads can be adjusted using a small screwdriver.
3. Fertilize the lawn
Give your lawn a boost in the spring or once soil temps reach 55°F. Feed about 4 weeks later and then every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season. A slow-release granular fertilizer helps avoid burning the lawn.
4. Keep mower blades sharp
Keep the blades on your mower sharp. Dull blades will “tear” the grass instead of cutting it cleanly and allow water to leave the grass blades more quickly.
5. Consider mowing height
Only cut the top 1/3 of the grass off at each mowing. Taller grass creates more shade, holding more moisture in the soil. Taller grass also encourages a deeper root system.
6. Recycle the grass
Allow grass clippings to stay on your lawn instead of bagging them. This helps to recycle nutrients and fertilize your lawn, and it also reduces water requirements.
7. Mind the grubs
White grubs live in the topsoil and munch on the roots of grass to feed themselves. Without roots, your lawn cannot absorb the moisture and nutrients it needs to stay green.
8. Aerate the roots
When grass gets too thick, nutrients and water can’t penetrate to the roots where they are needed. Poke holes (aerate) in the lawn to improve air circulation and allow water to move to the root zone.
9. Defend against crabgrass
High temps will encourage crabgrass to emerge, and it will try to take over your lawn. The best defense is a dense, healthy stand of grass that is kept at a slightly higher height and fertilized well.
10. Prevent pet problems
Urine contains acid, and this acid can create brown spots on your lawn. If your pet has a favorite spot in the yard to do its business, flush the area with extra water to dilute the acid.
