With the cool-to-warm spring temperatures we’ve experienced so far this year, everyone has got grass that looks nice and green without needing much lawn care. The question for many homeowners in Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, and Pocatello areas is how to keep it looking that way all throughout the summer when the temperatures start pushing triple digits.
There are a few things that you can do on your own, in addition to the ways that Turfco can help with your lawn care. This area offers great summers and we do everything we can to keep your lawn healthy and green during the hottest months of July and August. Try the following methods to do just that for your property.
Watering
Obviously, this is the most important thing you can do for the health of your lawn. However, there is a right way to do it that will be the most beneficial to your grass. For example, people have a tendency to think that the hotter it is outside, the more often you should water during the day. The reality is that it is better to continue watering just once per day. The difference is that the one time you water should be longer so the moisture can get farther down to the roots of your lawn. Early in the morning — say 5 or 6 a.m. is the ideal time to water your lawn. This will allow it to dry out during the day which will reduce the chances of a fungal disease. A home irrigation system will come in handy for this so you don’t have to get up so early.
Lawn Length
Let your lawn grow a bit longer in the summertime. Simply raise the height of your lawn mower settings and mow just like you normally would. About three inches is a good length of grass to maintain. Taller blades of grass will offer additional shade for the roots of your lawn. This helps them to grow deeper and stronger. Grass also has a crown from which the new growth emerges. If you keep the lawn longer in the summer, the blades shade that crown as well — protecting it from burning.
Grass Clippings
Wouldn’t it be nice if you didn’t have to worry about bagging and getting rid of your grass clippings? Good news! You don’t! If you leave your grass clippings on your lawn, they will break down, decompose, and will create organic matter which will feed your soil. The only downside is that it may not appear as good initially. But it will be better for your lawn in the long run.
Fertilization
Get your lawn in great shape before it has to deal with the intense summer heat. It’s a huge part of lawn care. You do this by applying fertilizer to your lawn to get it ready to take on those hot summer days. Most lawns get their ideal growth and health with about three fertilizer applications during the growing months. If you choose to do this on your own, a fertilizer with a nitrogen fertilizer in the range of 10-14 should do a good job of keeping your lawn nice and green and preventing fast growth. When applying fertilizer, do it evenly and be careful about using too much. That can turn your lawn brown.
Maintain Your Mower
The main thing to worry about here is that you are using sharp blades. Using a sharp blade allows the plant to heal faster than a dull blade does. This is because a sharp blade will cut, while a dull blade will actually tear the blades of grass. This torn grass tissue will develop a brown appearance at the surface and may become more susceptible to stress and disease. In addition to keeping your blade in tip-top shape, you ought to change your oil according to the recommended schedule. The same goes for the filter and the spark plugs.
Call Turfco
The above tips will help your lawn stay green and healthy. Of course, you can also ensure that your lawn stays beautiful and green all summer with our lawn care services. We offer everything from mowing to fertilization, to pest control, and everything in between. Be sure to contact your Idaho lawn specialist to know what’s best for your specific lawn. We would love to help you!
