Problem solving and advice from our lawn care experts
Your Complete Summer Lawn Care Guide
Last Updated: 08/07/2024
Summer is a time of vibrant colours and outdoor activities. It's also a crucial period for lawn care.
Your lawn faces unique challenges during the hot summer months. From scorching heat to pesky insects, it's a season that tests the resilience of your green space.
But fear not. With the right knowledge and tools, you can maintain a lush, healthy lawn all summer long. This guide will provide you with essential tips and strategies for summer lawn care.
So, whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this guide has something for you. Let's dive in and make your lawn the envy of the neighbourhood.
Understanding Summer Lawn Challenges
Summer brings with it a unique set of challenges for your lawn. The intense heat can cause your grass to dry out and turn brown, while the increased sunlight can lead to rapid growth of weeds.
At the same time, summer pests such as grubs and beetles can wreak havoc on your lawn. Understanding these challenges is the first step towards effective summer lawn care. With this knowledge, you can tailor your lawn care routine to address these issues and keep your lawn healthy and vibrant throughout the season.
Water Your Lawn the Right Way
Watering is a crucial part of summer lawn care. However, it's not just about how much water you use, but also when and how you water your lawn.
The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning. This allows the water to soak into the soil before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate. It also helps prevent the growth of fungal diseases, such as Red Thread, which thrives in the damp, warm conditions created when lawns are watered in the evening.
Here are 4 key points to remember when watering your lawn in the summer:
1.
Water deeply, but not too frequently. This encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, making your lawn more drought-resistant.
2.
Avoid watering in the middle of the day to minimize evaporation.
3.
Pay attention to your lawn's appearance. If it looks wilted or the colour starts to dull, it's time to water.
4.
Consider using a sprinkler system for even watering. This can be particularly helpful for larger lawns.
By watering your lawn the right way, you can help it stay green and healthy throughout the summer.
Mowing Strategies for Summer Heat
Mowing your lawn is more than just a cosmetic task. It plays a vital role in maintaining the health of your grass, especially during the summer months.
In the summer, it's best to adjust your mowing height to leave your grass a little longer than usual. The reason for this is because a longer grass leaf will retain a larger amount of water for an extended period of time. It also encourages deeper root growth, which can help your lawn withstand drought conditions.
Fertilising your lawn is a crucial part of summer lawn care. It replenishes nutrients in the soil and promotes healthy, vibrant grass growth. But not all fertilisers are created equal.
The right summer lawn care fertiliser depends on your grass type and soil conditions. Our lawn care experts can do a soil test to help you determine what nutrients your lawn needs. For summer, our go-to choice is to use a slow-release fertiliser. They gradually release nutrients, providing a steady supply throughout the hot months.
Contrary to popular belief, grass growth actually slows down in the summer compared to spring, so a fertiliser containing a higher amount of nitrogen is often beneficial in most cases as it will also help fight off fungal diseases. A balanced N/K (nitrogen and potassium) feed is also a popular choice to help a lot of lawns in summer.
Remember, over-fertilising can harm your lawn. Our experts have extensive knowledge regarding application rates and timing. Learn more about the benefits by taking a read of our lawn fertiliser guide.
Weed Prevention and Control
Weeds can be a major challenge in summer lawn care. They compete with your grass for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Preventing weeds before they take over is the best strategy.
Start by maintaining a healthy, dense lawn. Thick grass leaves little room for weeds to grow. Regular mowing at the correct height can also help prevent weed growth. If weeds do appear, it's important to act quickly. Hand-pulling is effective for small infestations and for larger weed problems, our lawn experts can provide a selective herbicide to eliminate them.
Our standard treatment programme also provides multiple benefits to your lawn through the year, consisting of 5 feed and weed treatments ensuring your lawn stays healthy during each season.
Managing Pests in the Summer
Summer is a prime time for pests to invade your lawn. Common culprits include chafer grubs, leatherjackets, and ants. These pests can cause significant damage if left unchecked.
Identifying the type of pest is the first step in managing them. Once you know what you're dealing with, you can choose the right treatment. There are many organic and chemical options available.
Remember, a healthy lawn is your best defence against pests. Regular watering, mowing, and fertilising can help keep your lawn strong and less attractive to pests.
Summer Landscaping Tips for a Healthy Lawn
Landscaping plays a crucial role in summer lawn care. It's not just about aesthetics, but also about creating a healthy environment for your grass to thrive.
Incorporating native plants into your landscaping can help improve your lawn's health. These plants are adapted to your local climate and soil conditions, making them more resilient and less demanding in terms of care.
Lastly, consider the use of shade trees and structures. They can protect your lawn from the scorching summer sun, reducing stress on the grass and helping to conserve water.
Final thoughts on summer lawn care
Summer lawn care can be a rewarding endeavour. With the right strategies and a bit of patience, you can maintain a lush, green lawn, even in the heat of summer.
Remember, consistency is key. Stick to your lawn care schedule and adjust as necessary to keep your lawn at its best.
Conclusion
Get ready to transform your lawn into a summer oasis by following the above tips and tricks, you can achieve a vibrant, healthy lawn. Stay on top of your lawn maintenance routine and adjust as needed to ensure your grass stays healthy and lush all season long.
Additional summer lawn care advice
Walking on your lawn compacts the soil. This can make it difficult for water and nutrients to reach the roots of the grass, which can lead to yellowing or browning of the lawn. If you are unable to keep off your lawn, varying your route reduces excessive wear to one area.
Sunlight and air are essential for plant growth. Play equipment and garden furniture block sunlight and air from reaching the roots of your lawn. This can lead to yellowing or browning of the lawn.
For the past 25 years, Lawn Master has been providing professional lawn care services and expanding across the UK with a big difference. The difference being that we insist that all of our franchisees are pre-experienced turf industry professionals.