As summer approaches, taking care of your lawn becomes crucial to maintaining its lush, green appearance. With the right fertilization, watering, and maintenance practices, you can ensure your lawn thrives even during the hottest months. Here’s a detailed guide to summer lawn care.

1. Fertilization

During the summer, it's important to fertilize your lawn carefully to avoid damage. Here are some key tips:

• Moderate Application: Now that the weather is heating up, be cautious not to over-apply fertilizer. Excess fertilizer can burn your lawn and lead to unsightly browning.

• Follow-Up Watering: After applying fertilizer, make sure to water adequately. This helps the nutrients penetrate the soil and reach the roots.

• Temperature Considerations: Avoid fertilizing when temperatures are at or above 85°F. High temperatures can stress your lawn and reduce the effectiveness of the fertilizer.

2. Watering Tips

Proper watering is essential to keep your lawn hydrated and healthy during the summer. Follow these guidelines:

• Morning Watering: Water your lawn first thing in the morning. This allows the grass to absorb the water before the heat of the day causes evaporation.

• Infrequent but Deep Watering: Instead of frequent shallow watering, water your lawn deeply but infrequently. This encourages deep root growth and makes your lawn more drought-resistant.

• Water Amount: Aim to provide 1.5 inches of water weekly, including rainfall. This ensures your lawn receives enough moisture to stay green and vibrant.

3. Recommended Products

During the summer, certain lawn care products are particularly effective and safe to use. Consider these options:

• Summer Survival: A great product to help your lawn endure the heat and stress of summer.

• Organic Lawn Food: Provides essential nutrients in a natural form, promoting healthy growth without harsh chemicals.

• Love Your Soil: Improves soil structure and microbial activity, enhancing nutrient uptake and water retention.

• Mag-I-Cal and Mag-I-Cal Plus: Corrects soil pH imbalances and improves the availability of nutrients, ensuring your lawn can absorb what it needs.

4. Don't Skip a Feeding!

Your lawn needs consistent feeding throughout the year to stay healthy. Here’s why you shouldn't skip summer feedings:

• Nutrient Supply: Your lawn requires regular feeding 3-4 times a year to receive a steady supply of nutrients.

• Preventing Issues: A well-fed lawn is less likely to experience browning, disease, insect infestations, and weed growth. Keep your lawn fed to maintain its resilience and vibrancy.

5. Minimize Lawn Traffic

During hot weather, it's best to minimize any unnecessary activity on your lawn. Here’s why:

• Stress Reduction: Walking, mowing, or playing on the lawn during extreme heat can stress the grass, making it more susceptible to damage.

• Root Protection: Keeping off the lawn helps protect the roots from compaction and heat stress, ensuring your grass stays healthy.

6. Additional Tips

• Mowing Practices: Keep your mower blades sharp and avoid cutting the grass too short. Taller grass shades the soil, reducing water evaporation and protecting the roots from heat.

• Weed Control: Regularly inspect your lawn for weeds and remove them promptly. Weeds compete with grass for nutrients and water, weakening your lawn.

• Aeration: Consider aerating your lawn to improve soil structure and enhance water and nutrient absorption. Aeration helps relieve soil compaction and promotes healthy root growth.

By following these summer lawn care tips, you can ensure your grass remains green, healthy, and beautiful all season long. With proper fertilization, watering, and maintenance, your lawn will thrive despite the summer heat.