How to Approach Lawn Care All Summer

During the hot days of summer, your lawn can take a beating as the sun beats down on it.  It is important to keep your grass thriving and know how and when to mow.  Lawn care doesn’t just happen. Here are some tips from the experts to keep your lawn healthy and green in the summer:

• Mow in the evening – give your grass space and protect yourself from overheating
• Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation and grass dying out
• Water 1-2 inches per week max, include rainfall amounts
• Only cut off ⅓ of your grass at a time. Keep your grass taller if possible
• Keep your blades sharp
• Don’t mow during drought
• Don’t fertilize in the summer, the grass will get the nutrients it needs

The issue of water in lawn care

Water is important to not only humans and pets, but to grass and plants as well.  It is equally important to know how much and when to water your grass.  Here are some types of making the best use of your water resource:

• Don’t water everyday — Watering everyday makes grass roots shallow, the shallower the grass roots are—the less hearty the grass would be in the summer. It is recommended to water two times a week for 20-30 minutes.
• Water areas with runoff or clay soil less — You only need to water those areas for 10 minutes and they will run off and keep moist.
• Water in the morning — Watering in the morning is the best time because that is when the temperature is the lowest.
• Use a sprinkler — You don’t need a high-tech expensive sprinkler system to water the grass. One of the best types is a simple sprinkler that attaches to a hose.  Make sure the sprinkler covers a wide area and gets into the roots of the grass.
• Check for leaks – Make sure your hose doesn’t have any holes, so it doesn’t leak.
• Use a soaker hose- Flat hoses will distribute more water and have no evaporation and can give your lawn a good soak!
• Mow your grass higher – Only cut 1/3 of your grass at a time and don’t cut it too short as it will make the grass harder to survive and makes watering more difficult.
• Newer lawns – Newer lawns need more water to keep it going and to get its root system started and stable.

Oh, and the lawnmower needs your attention

It is also important to maintain your lawnmower.  These are some tips for maintaining your lawnmower:

• Measure current cutting height, adjust the deck height, and clean the deck. Make sure your lawnmower has the right cutting height and adjust if needed. The area around and on the underside of the lawn mower needs to be kept clear of grass clumps and other yard debris.
• If you have an electric mower, make sure the plug and cord is in good working condition. Or, if it is cordless check that the batteries work well.
• If you have a gas lawn mower, make sure it has the proper amount and correct fuel and oil in it. Mowers are just like cars in that they have to have the proper fluids to function.
• Finally, always make sure the lawn mower blades are sharp, not dull or rusted. Keeping your lawn mower in the dry garage or shed will help to keep it running all summer and provide protection during the winter months.

Why do all this?

The most important reason is so you can enjoy a wonderful green lawn.  There is nothing better than smelling freshly mowed grass on a summer day! If you need expert help  and want to leave the lawn care maintenance and mowing up to us, that’s fine. Call Aisling View  at 317-636-9408 and we will make your lawn the envy of every neighbor!