As the days get warmer and your greenery starts to bloom, the job of maintaining your lawn gets a little more demanding. You can ease some of the stress and work off your shoulders by getting ahead of schedule and preparing your lawn for the summer. Don’t let the harsh sun dry out your lawn and kill your flowers. Use this changing season to your advantage by implementing these tips to keeping your yard in peak condition throughout the warmer months.
Mow Your Lawn to the Correct Height
Each type of grass has a slight variation in recommended height. The longer you allow your grass to grow, the better it will be able to retain water. Besides, it also provides shade for the roots. Look up the type of grass you have, check the highest recommended height, and never cut more than one-third of the blade when mowing. (Pro tip: Don’t forget to keep your blades sharp for precise and effective cutting.)
Remove Sunlight Blocking Thatch
Your grass may have grown faster and developed more leaves due to the spring weather, so ensure that you remove the thatch layer. This is a vital step in preparing your lawn. The thatch layer is essentially a layer between the soil and grass blades that carries both dead and living grass. It blocks sunlight, water, and nutrients from reaching the underneath soil, preventing healthy growth. There are a couple of ways you can treat this:
- You can mow more than once a week, being careful not to cut the lawn severely.
- Another effective way to thatch is to use a thatching rake to remove any dead material. The rake slices into the lawn, so rake in one direction to prevent root damage.
Reseed Barren Patches
The last thing you want is a patchy lawn after putting in all that hard work. The easiest way to avoid this is by reseeding sections that no longer support healthy growth. First, you have to remove any dead grass and material that would prevent new growth. Make sure that the remaining soil is level. Then, you apply a small amount of starter fertilizer before you add your seed on top. Add mulch and water to ensure healthy growth and process.
Aerate Your Lawn
Preparing your lawn will also require you to aerate certain areas and sections. Sometimes your lawn may be blocked by too much soil, grass, or leaves. In this case, it’s beneficial to aerate your lawn to allow air, water, and nutrients to reach roots. You can accomplish this by using a lawn aerator to make multiple passes over the compacted areas of grass. It’s best to use the aerator after a rain shower so that your lawn is moist enough and makes it easier to use. Be sure to leave the soil plugs in your lawn and allow them to dry out before running them over with a lawnmower or rake. Soon enough, you’ll have a healthier and more vibrant lawn.
Feeding is Essential
You can’t expect your lawn to remain strong and gorgeous without feeding it. Feeding is a critical part of the summer preparation process. Adding a topcoat of fertilizer is great for preventing weeds, keeping the soil moist, and increasing growth. It also helps your lawn retain water and prepare for those hot, dry months. You may want to consider one of the following fertilizers:
- 2:3:2 Fertilizer – It aids your grass in creating a well-established root system. By applying once every six months, you can rest easy knowing it’s doing its job. 2:3:2 is a universal fertilizer that can be useful for various purposes.
- L.A.N – This is a mix of Limestone Ammonium Nitrate. It provides a great source of calcium, nitrogen, and magnesium. The nitrogen will work in stimulating growth and promoting a vibrant color. Repeat this fertilizer every 6-8 weeks.
- Lawn Dressing – Lawn dressing is a light compost that delivers excellent results. This fertilizer works best if you have grass that isn’t level and has problem areas. Lawn dressing will help even out your lawn while feeding your grass at the same time.
Keep in mind that too much manure is never a good thing and can cause weeds to overgrow.
The key to a beautiful summer lawn is research, preparation, and patience. Get to know your grass and what it needs to beat the intense sunlight these coming months. For any additional help, the experts at Billy’s Lawn Care can assist you with all your lawn maintenance needs. Soon enough, you’ll have a lawn that makes heads turn.