Everyone wants to enjoy their lawn in the summer. Unfortunately for many middle Tennessee homeowners, their lawn turns crispy and brown in the summer. Don’t treat your lawn with a “set it and forget it” attitude this year. Green grass only stays green during the intense Tennessee summers with proper care and maintenance.
Use these summer lawn care strategies for green grass all summer long.
Mow Your Lawn the Right Way
During the summer, it’s easy to fall into a routine when mowing because it’s hot outside and you want to go back inside. But mowing your lawn the same way over and over and over and over again is doing more harm than good. Sure, you’re cutting the grass, but following the same paths each time wears the grass out. Mow your lawn the right way with these tips:
- Mow at the correct height. Cutting your grass too short introduces pests and increases the chances of scorching your lawn. We recommend cutting your grass to 3.5” – 4.5”.
- Mow regularly. Inconsistency breeds problems. Don’t skip weeks or mow too often. Your lawn is a living and breathing environment. It will adapt to regular mowings and stay green if you’re consistent. We recommend mowing once a week on the same day.
- Mow with sharp blades. Dull blades tear your grass and create more problems for you. Spend the time learning to sharpen your blades, or find a lawn care professional who can sharpen them for you. We recommend sharpening your blades at the beginning and middle of the season for the best results.
Water Your Lawn the Right Way
Watering your lawn in the summer is necessary, but if done the wrong way, it creates a lot of problems. Avoid lawn problems by watering your lawn in the morning.
Watering your lawn in the morning:
- Reduces burned spots
- Keeps the soil moist
- Prevents pests and diseases from killing your lawn
Reduce Burned Spots
Water your lawn between 4am – 10am for the best results. Watering your lawn in this time frame gives your grass and soil time to absorb the water before it evaporates. Additionally, the sun isn’t directly shining on the grass yet, so you don’t have to worry about burning the grass.
Keep the Soil Moist
Healthy soil equals healthy grass. The greenest grass is a direct result of your soil. Watering in the morning gives the soil enough time to absorb the water and keep the top several inches of dirt moist. When the soil is moist, grass roots stay strong and your lawn is healthy.
Prevent Pests and Diseases from Killing Your Lawn
If you can start watering your lawn at 4am, why not midnight? Great question! The earlier you water your lawn, the higher likelihood of introducing rot and pests. We recommend the earliest watering at 4am because sunrise is not far behind and will dry your lawn. But if your lawn sits wet for 6-8 hours, you increase the likelihood of mold, fungus, and other lawn problems.
Fertilize Your Lawn the Right Way
Sometimes the best way to do something is to do nothing at all. That’s right! When it comes to fertilizing your lawn in the summer, the best course of action is to not fertilize it. And that’s because the nitrogen in the fertilizer can burn your lawn in the heat.
Although it’s not impossible to fertilize your lawn and keep it healthy and green in the summer, it’s a tricky thing to do, especially if you’re not sure which fertilizer to use. We recommend that homeowners don’t fertilize their lawn on their own in the summers without first consulting a lawn care professional like Turf Managers.
Is your lawn in need of rescue this summer? Or maybe you’re out of town for a few weeks and need some assistance. Turf Managers can help! Get a free custom quote today!