A well-maintained lawn is a place for pets to play, entertain and relax, and can significantly increase the value of a home, not to mention the lifestyle of its owner. However, in extreme heat and drought, maintaining a lush, green and beautiful garden can be difficult. Summer is a difficult time of year for your lawn. Although many think there is nothing they can do, there are many ways you can maintain your lawn with minimal water use during summer and drought conditions. We have the bestTips for the right oneCompiled for lawn care in the heat this season.
Proper lawn care in the heat of summer – mow slightly higher than normal
Since grass is a living organism, it requires energy to grow. When cut, the grass's ability to produce energy is severely limited. Because everbigger the plant, the deeper the roots, and the deeper the roots, the more moisture the plant can extract from the soil. Additionally, taller grass provides more shade to the ground, which in turn prevents the moisture it contains from evaporating due to extreme heat.
Lawn care tips and tricks – sharp lawnmower blades
A sharp lawnmower blade is always recommended, but is especially important when the heat is affecting your lawn. The clean cut of the grass blades prevents diseases from creeping into the lawn. Using a dull blade will cause the grass to split, fray and tear, putting unnecessary stress on the lawn.
Lawn care in hot weather – important rule
If you have yourLawn in drought or heatWhen cutting, follow the 1/3 rule: never remove more than 1/3 of the grass height at a time. If you follow this rule, your lawn will stay cooler because less plant tissue is removed. This means your lawn can thrive and not be stressed.
When to mow
Most of us take it for granted that we mow when it's cooler outside. Who wants to struggle in scorching heat? There are also benefits to your lawn if you don't mow in the middle of the day.
The ideal times to mow your lawn are between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. If you mow at these times, your lawn will be at its strongest during the summer days, meaning it will be able to handle the cutting. When you hoe in the heat, you put too much stress on the lawn, which can eventually lead to lawn diseases and other problems.
Do not mow when it is dry
Try not to mow during a drought. The lawn can only recover so much from mowing during drought and it can cause even more damage. During a drought, try mowing after a rainfall or after a watering day. Also try not to mow while the grass is still wet to avoid clumping.
Lawn care in hot and dry conditions: How often and when to water?
Many people water their lawns even after rainfall. In general, the lawn does better when the soil is dry rather than wet. If the soil is constantly wet, it can cause many problems for both the plants and soil organisms. Wet soils deprive plant roots of oxygen and make themmore susceptible to disease. Try to water deeply and infrequently rather than daily. Deep watering means the entire root zone is moistened.Rare wateringmeans you only water when the grass is dry.
Water early in the morning when the lawn can absorb the full amount of water before the sun dries it out by midday. If you water in the evening, the water will sit overnight without drying out, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Avoid aeration, scarifying and lawn fertilization in summer
Even though fertilizing your lawn seems like a good idea, it's best to avoid it during the hot summer months. In summer, the lawn uses more energy than it produces. Fertilizer promotes growth, which causes the grass to use even more energy and puts even more strain on the already stressed lawn. It is best to fertilize in the fall as part of preparing your lawn for winter.
The same rules apply to care measures such as aeration and scarifying. Avoid aggressive practices that cause temporary damage during hot summer periods. Instead, cultivate in fall or spring when the lawn is strong and can quickly recover from temporary damage.
Do not leave items lying around for a long time
Picnic blankets, wading pools, and even dog toys left on the lawn for long periods of time can disrupt the plants' natural cooling mechanism. Make it a habit to tidy up at the end of each day and try to put the items in a different place the next time you use them.
It is also worth changing the path across the lawn regularly. This way you avoid bald spots. Find a different spot for your afternoon coffee every day. If you have soccer goal posts on the lawn for the kids, move them a few times a week to allow the lawn to recover.
