Every day during the summer months your lawn is under attack from the hot summer sun, foot traffic from kids and neighbors, and insects.
Thankfully, there are some things that you can do to keep your lawn looking great and protected from the dangers of summer:
- The first step is to know what kind of lawn you have. This helps you to determine the best growing time of year for your lawn, and what kind of watering and soil schedule to follow.
- During the month of August the sun usually shines hotter for longer periods of time, so it is important to monitor your lawn for signs of distress or dehydration.
- Consider planting shrubs or plants that prefer direct sunlight and will provide your grass with some shade
- Check with your professional landscaping provider for soil testing options. Soil testing can reveal all kinds of truths about your soil so that you and your lawn care provider can develop a plan for improving the soil and thus the growth and health of your lawn.
- Start your pest control now. Pests are a concern in the lawn during all times of the year. Start now so that when the fall season hits, you are already protected.
- Add some fertilizer that is specially formulated for late summer lawn care. With the sun being hotter and more consistent during the late summer months, fertilizer and plenty of water are great ways to protect your lawn.
- Make sure you are mowing your lawn with sharp lawnmower blades and only when it absolutely needs it. Mowing your lawn too short will actually cause the roots of the grass blades to be burned by the sun. Set your lawnmower to the proper height so that it only trims off the top.
- Take care of dead patches of grass as they can leave an opening for sun and air to get to the roots of the healthy grass and cause it to begin to die. Talk with your professional landscaper about how to remove dead patches of grass.
- Always make sure to pull weeds from your lawn using your gloved hands and right down at the root. Mowing the tops of the weeds will not remove them and relying on chemicals doesn’t always get the job done.
Your lawn is a huge part of your home’s curb appeal. Follow these tips for keeping it healthy and looking good during the late summer months when the sun can be harsh.
