Mid-Summer Lawn Care
At Straw Hat Lawn & Landscape, we take great pride in how our lawns look throughout the season. These are a few of the tips we follow to make sure your lawn will stay green and healthy even during the hot, dry period of mid-Summer.
Lawns that turn brown in mid-summer may cause you needless worry and work. The cool season turf grasses we use in Wisconsin naturally turn brown in summer in response to drought and heat. Permanent perennial grasses, such as bluegrass and red fescue and perennial ryegrass, turn brown and become dormant from a lack of water or too much heat.
You can maintain a lawn throughout the summer with a minimum amount of lawn care. Mow your lawn regularly with a sharp mower blade.
If you want to water your lawn, do it before the grass turns brown. Watering after the lawn turns brown will not be as beneficial. It is better to give it one good soaking a week rather than frequent light waterings.
Summer dried lawns do not need fertilizer. However, if you irrigate all summer, a light fertilization might be necessary. Use about one-half the suggested rate for this application.
If broadleaf weeds are a problem on the lawn during midsummer, wait until early fall to control them. Chemical treatment for weeds will work much better in September than in midsummer.
Here is a tip for homeowners who want to keep their lawns green and growing during the hot months of July and August.
- Do not water the lawn too often, but when you do, water it deeply. Water clay or silty soils about once a week. Sandy soils hold less water and need more frequent watering, about once every five days.
The average water loss from a grass-covered area through evaporation and transpiration is about one inch per week. This may go even higher in the hot days of summer. How long does a sprinkler need to run to apply an inch of water? For the average water pressure and average size hose it takes about one to two hours. If your hose is smaller or your water pressure lower than normal, it will take longer to water your lawn.
Watering your lawn can keep it green throughout the summer. However, remember that when you water frequently and lightly you encourage the lawn to develop shallow roots. This makes the lawn prone to damage if the top layer of soil dries out. Shallow rooted lawns are also more susceptible to disease and insect problems. Ultimately, this will require additional Lawn Care and expense.
Follow these tips to increase the value of your lawn care efforts. Enjoy your lawn all summer.
Straw Hat Lawn & Landscape - Lawn Maintenance
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