Keeping Your Lawn Healthy

It’s about that time of year – summer time  – when you need to be very aware of what’s going on with your lawn. Landscapers will tell you, and you probably know, that summertime is when you want your lawn to look the best.  It’s also when it might be the hardest to take care of it! Below are some tips to help keep your lawn looking great all summer long.

1. The Rule of One-Third

Cutting greater than 1/3 of the blade of grass will stress your lawn out. If you take out or cut too much of the grass blade, your lawn will look burnt out, and may have a difficult time flourishing.

2. Highest Acceptable Height

If your grass blades are long, their roots will grow more deeply into the ground. Grass that has deeper roots will get through drought. It will also repel diseases and pests.

3. Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp

The appearance of your lawn will be greatly enhanced by mower blades that are sharp. If you wish your grass to be cleanly cut, sharp blades are exactly what you need. The grass will also be able to recover more quickly from mowing when it is cut with blades that are sharp.

4. Use Fertilizer

Your lawn will be greener and healthier if you use fertilizer. Applying it at the right time will get you the best results. Consult with a local fertilizer professional to get the best options for your grass.

5. Don’t Forget About Diseases, Insects, and Weeds

If you have dry areas or brown circles on your lawn, that usually indicates there is a problem. These problems travel under the soil, and big circles called brownouts may be caused by insects or fungal disease. This can leave a line of dead grass that is traceable. A professional should be able to help you identify the problem and recommend the best treatment.

6. Water Deeply

Rather than shallow watering, remember deep is better to help grow deeper roots. About one inch of water to ever foot of soil is the best ratio for watering grass. If you water your lawn every three days, that’s better than watering just a little each day.

7. Keep Your Irrigation System Running

For proper watering, it’s important to test your irrigation system and make sure it’s working correctly. You can do this by placing four or five straight-sided pans in different places on your lawn. When you turn on your system, notice how long it takes for one inch of water to accumulate in these pans. Make sure each pan gets the same amount of water. If it doesn’t, you might need to adjust the distance of your sprinkler heads.

Taking care of your lawn doesn’t have to be too difficult, but it is an active process that you’ll want to be aware of. Having a beautiful lawn is something to be proud of, and with regular check-ups, you can be sure your lawn will look beautiful not only all summer, but all year, too.