Lawn care doesn’t have to be complicated, but you need to do more than just water your lawn when it’s hot to keep it from becoming patchy, discolored, or infested with pests.
This advice comes from a gardening expert known as the Garden Lawncare Guy, also called Matt, who insists that there are common mistakes that lawn owners should be aware of in order to achieve a “thick, healthy green” lawn this summer, Express reports.
He said: “With warmer weather comes the opportunity to spend more time outdoors, but it also means there’s a higher risk of making common lawn care mistakes. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to lawn care, it’s easy to fall into the trap of making simple mistakes that can damage your lawn.”
The biggest mistakes you should avoid this summer with your lawn
Cutting the grass too short: The key to a healthy lawn is to mow it, but gardeners should avoid cutting it as this only increases the stress it is under during hot spells. Matt warned: “The biggest mistake people make is letting grass grow long, getting the mower out and cutting it right back to the roots. This creates a cycle of poor quality, a lot of stress on the plant and ultimately a bad looking lawn.”
It is essential to cut the grass only a third of its total length when mowing, and it is often more beneficial to cut the grass regularly, removing small amounts rather than too much at once.
Weed control is essential: No one likes to spend a beautiful summer day pulling weeds, but this time of year offers the perfect weather conditions for these problematic plants to spread rapidly. Matt advised: “Normally this weed dies off during the heat of summer, but it’s not a good idea to spread the seeds across your lawn using a weed box to reduce the spread.”
Quickly removing weeds from your lawn can be easy if you mow carefully. However, always be sure to pick up grass clippings and dead weeds, as the remaining foliage can release excess nitrogen into your lawn, which can kill it.
Cut-off frequency is key: It may seem obvious, but gardeners should start mowing their lawn in late July or early August at least once a week to keep it healthy throughout the growing season. Matt said, “This will help promote thick, dense turf and new grass growth, which in turn promotes resistance to disease, weeds, and heat stress. If you’re new to lawn care, a weekly mowing that takes no more than a third will really improve the results you’re seeing and is the most important first step you can take without even applying any products to your lawn.”
Fertilizing the lawn is essential: While it’s true that you shouldn’t fertilize your lawn during hot weather to prevent burns, avoiding fertilization altogether during the summer can significantly hinder growth. Matt noted, “You don’t want to apply fertilizer in the height of summer heat when the lawn is already under enough stress, so look for a cooler period where there is rain or you can continue to water.”
He stressed the importance of using slow-release fertilizers and feeding the grass in the early morning hours during cooler or rainy days. In addition, it is mandatory to water thoroughly before and after applying the fertilizer to help speed up nutrient absorption and minimize the risk of grass burning.
