Grass is more prone to dehydration during summer months. In summer it often rains less and there are higher temperatures. These factors can have negative effects on the health and appearance of your lawn. If you notice visible footprints after walking on your grass, soil gaps, dryness in bed edges, or brown grass, your lawn is low in moisture. There are several ways to care for your thirsty lawn during the summer months to avoid it drying up.
The Best Way to Water Your Lawn in Summer
The ideal time to water your lawn is first thing in the morning when the sun is rising (around 6am). Avoid watering your lawn midday or at night. Since the sun is at its highest point midday, watering at this time can cause the water to evaporate before your lawn has a chance to absorb it. This can result in dried-up and burnt grass. Also, watering at night can leave your grass susceptible to lawn disease.
Another important tip is to water your lawn once thoroughly instead of watering it several times a day for short periods of time. Lightly watering your lawn ensures the roots stay closer to the surface, causing them to weaken during drier times of the summer. However, deep watering allows the water to soak into the soil and promotes deeper root growth.
Additionally, develop a consistent watering schedule. A built-in irrigation system that has timers is a great way to maintain a regular watering schedule.
Mowing Your Lawn During Hot Periods
Continue regularly mowing your lawn in summer. You will need to raise the mowing height during the dry periods. Grass that is cut too short becomes weaker and less tolerant to drought.
Help Your Lawn Retain Moisture
Compost is a great way to restore the health of your soil. Compost is an organic material that can be added to soil to help grass and other plants grow. There are three basic ingredients: browns (dead leaves, branches, and twigs), greens (grass clippings, fruit scraps, coffee grounds, and vegetable waste), and water. Compost has many benefits that will improve the health of your lawn. It enriches soil which helps retain moisture and suppresses plant diseases. It also encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter.
Mulching is another way to help your lawn retain moisture in the hot summer months. The mulch consists of grass clippings from the mowed grass. The clippings are cut into fine pieces that easily fall on the soil surface. This method releases nutrients from the mulched plant material back into the soil. The light layer of mulch will help prevent your lawn from burning during the summer. Mulching as you mow puts grass particles back into the turn and adds nutrients to your soil.
Watering your lawn in the morning, changing the mowing height on your mower, and adding compost and mulch to help your soil retain moisture will all work to prevent a dried-up lawn in the summer. Check out some of our favorite products for mulching while you mow here. These products are a great way to help you get started on having a healthy, drought resistant lawn.
