The summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, and one of the best ways to do that is by maintaining your yard. A well-maintained lawn can provide you with a beautiful place to relax, play, and entertain guests. However, if you don’t take care of your lawn properly, it can become an eyesore. Here are a few tips to help you keep your lawn looking its best all summer long:
1. Mow your lawn at the correct height
Depending on the type of grass you have, you’ll want to mow it at different heights. As a general rule for Nashville heat and grass type, we recommend keeping your lawn height to 3 ½ – 4 ½ inches.
2. Mow regularly
Don’t let your lawn get too long before you mow it. If you do, the grass will start to lay down and become more susceptible to disease. Try to mow at least once a week during the growing season. You may need to hire someone if you can’t keep up with it. Professionals like those here at Turf Managers would be happy to help.
3. Use a sharp mower blade
A dull mower blade will tear the grass, making it more susceptible to disease and stress. Get your mower blade sharpened at least once a season or more often if you use it frequently.
For more information on sharp blades, check out the Turf Managers article here: https://www.turfmanagersllc.com/dull-vs-sharp-blades-3-advantages-of-sharper-blades-for-your-lawn-care-routine/
4. Don’t bag your clippings
Unless your lawn is extremely long, there’s no need to bag your clippings. They’ll quickly decompose and add nutrients back into the soil.
If you need to bag your clippings, make sure to compost them or use them as mulch in your garden.
5. Mulch your lawn
Instead of bagging your clippings, use them to mulch your lawn. Spread them evenly over the grass, and they’ll help hold in moisture and suppress weeds.
Good sources of mulch also include fall leaves. Just make sure to shred them first, so they don’t mat down and kill the grass. Turf Managers can also take care of mulching for you. If you have questions, you can always contact us.
6. Water deeply and less often
It’s better to water your lawn deeply and less often than to give it a light sprinkle every day. Deep watering encourages deeper roots, which make the grass more drought-resistant.
The best time to water during the summer is early in the morning before the sun comes up. This allows the water to penetrate the soil and reach the roots without evaporating.
7. Don’t overwater
Even though deep watering is best, you don’t want to overwater your lawn. This can lead to disease and fungal problems. Check the weather forecast before you water, and only water if it hasn’t rained in a while.
8. Look for fungal problems to catch them early
Fungi often causes brown patches on your lawn. These problems can be challenging to control, so it’s crucial to catch them early.
If you see brown patches, take a sample of the affected area to your local nursery or extension office. They can help you identify the problem and give you advice on how to treat it.
9. Use a sprinkler system
If you have a large lawn, consider using a sprinkler system. This will save you time and water, and it can be set to water early in the morning, so you don’t have to worry about it.
Always hire a professional to install a sprinkler system because it’s a complex process.
10. Fertilize your lawn
Fertilizing your lawn helps it to stay green and healthy. Use a slow-release fertilizer that’s formulated for the type of grass you have. Apply it in the spring and fall, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
11. Test your soil
Before you fertilize your lawn, test your soil to see what nutrients it needs. You can get a soil test kit at your local garden center.
Your soil needs to have the right pH level for the grass to grow properly. The ideal pH level for most grasses is between 6.0 and 7.0.
12. Aerate your lawn
Aerating your lawn helps to improve drainage and reduce compaction. Use an aerator or a pitchfork to make holes in the soil, then fertilize and water as usual.
After aeration, be careful not to walk on your lawn too much because the soil is loose and can be easily damaged.
13. Overseeding Lawn Tips
Overseeding your lawn helps to thicken it and make it more resistant to disease. Spread grass seed over the entire lawn in the fall, then fertilize and water as usual.
Cover the seeded area with a thin layer of straw to keep birds from eating the seed. Straw is a good choice because it decomposes and adds nutrients to the soil.
As always, Turf Managers knows EXACTLY when to overseed your lawn so that your grass is perfectly lush all year long. To check out our overseeing services check us out here:
14. Reseed bare spots
If you have bare spots on your lawn, reseed them as soon as possible is one of our top lawn tips. This will help prevent weeds from taking over.
For effective reseeding, prepare the soil by tilling it and removing any dead grass or weeds. Then spread grass seed over the area and water as usual.
15. Control weeds
Weeds can quickly take over your lawn if you’re not careful. Pull them by hand or use a herbicide to get rid of them. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Other ways to control weeds include mowing often and using mulch.
As always, Turf Managers is the perfect solution to handling weeds year round. Check out our weed control service here: https://www.turfmanagersllc.com/services/lawn-fertilizer-weed-control/
16. Mow around obstacles
When you’re mowing your lawn, be sure to go around obstacles like trees, bushes, and flower beds. This will help prevent damage to the plants and make mowing easier.
You can also edge your lawn with a string trimmer or edger to create a clean, well-defined border.
17. Use a lawn roller
If you have a lot of hills in your lawn, use a lawn roller to flatten them out. This will make mowing more manageable and help reduce the risk of injury.
If you prefer to keep the hilly landscape of your lawn, you can also use a garden hose to mark the contours of the hills. This will help you mow in straight lines and avoid damaging the grass.
18. Mow in different directions
To prevent your lawn from getting too worn down, change up the direction you mow in from time to time. This will help the grass grow evenly and reduce wear and tear on the lawn.
19. Sharpen your blades
Dull mower blades can damage your grass and make it more susceptible to disease. Be sure to sharpen your blades at least once a season or more often if you use them frequently.
You can sharpen your blades yourself with a file or take them to a professional.
20. Lawn Tips to Control pests
Keep trees and shrubs trimmed, so they don’t touch your house or other structures. This will help prevent pests from getting into your home.
Pests can also be a big problem in your yard. If you have an infestation, call a pest control company. Otherwise, try to control the pests yourself with traps or chemicals.
Turf Managers are experts at mosquitos and fleas and ticks.
A Few Last Thoughts on Mowing Your Lawn
Once you’re done mowing, you always want to clean your mower to remove grass clippings and dirt. This will keep your blades sharp and prevent rust. You can clean your mower with a garden hose or pressure washer. Be sure to disconnect the spark plug before cleaning.
While mowing your lawn may seem like a chore, it’s actually an important part of yard care. A healthy lawn will be more resistant to pests, disease, and drought. Plus, it will look nicer and be more enjoyable to spend time in. By following these tips, you can make sure your lawn stays healthy all summer long.
If you have any questions about our lawn tips or decide you’d like some help getting your lawn healthy and keeping it there, feel free to reach out to Turf Managers and let us take care of it for you!
