What’s Wrong With My Lawn?

Summer is here, which means that it’s time to get out and enjoy the warm weather! While the heat is often celebrated by those in cooler climates, it does not exist without downfalls; particularly when it comes to lawn maintenance. Not only do our lawns have to endure the heat, but they also must withstand the many barbecues, lawn games, parties, and significantly increased food traffic that the summer months encourage.

As a result, you may be facing issues such as drought in your lawn. Worry not—Weed Man has got you covered! We’ve put together the following lawn maintenance guidelines in order to help you save your lawn from catastrophe this summer.

SUMMER DROUGHT: YOUR LAWN’S WORST ENEMY

One of the major issues that homeowners find themselves facing in the summer is drought. Drought tends to occur during the summer months where temperatures increase, and rainy days become few and far between. Grass is resilient and can typically survive drought conditions for up to 5-6 weeks before dying off. However, with the increasingly warm weather, it may be time to take things into your own hands to improve the conditions of your lawn.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY LAWN IS SUFFERING FROM DROUGHT STRESS?

Generally, you can expect to see symptoms of drought after prolonged periods of extreme heat in combination with a lack of rain. Indications that your lawn may be suffering from drought may include:

•         Grass that has taken on a blue-grey color
•         Footprints and wheel marks that bounce back very slowly after walking on or mowing the lawn.

When this occurs, water your lawn immediately, regardless of the time of day. However, keep in mind that there are ideal watering practices to follow to avoid dealing with drought in the first place.

HOW CAN I PREVENT OR IMPROVE DROUGHT SYMPTOMS?

WATERING TIPS

Seeing as drought is caused by a lack of water, the best thing you can do to prevent or improve drought symptoms is to water your lawn. When watering your lawn, keep in mind:

·     Lawns typically require 1 - 1.5 inches of water per week, and more when temperatures are more severe.

·     Lawns should be watered early in the morning to reduce evaporation waste which occurs in the afternoon and to prevent lawn disease from standing water in the evening.

·     Water deeply and infrequently. This is the best way to encourage deep, healthy root growth, making your lawn more drought tolerant.

·     If your lawn has become dormant, it will green up when the cooler weather and rain returns—do not try to water it back to life, giving too much water to your lawn will suffocate it.

MOWING TIPS