We hope that you have been enjoying the warm summer weather and getting outdoors as much as possible. The key to enjoying the outside of your property is to ensure that you have your lawn in tip top shape. We are featuring some tips for summer lawns that will help you keep your grass green and lush in the rest of the summer. Keeping your lawn healthy is pretty simple. We are happy to help you with any questions you might have about your summer lawn. Give us a call at (828) 773-8721 to discuss any grass mowing Boone NC or landscaping questions that you might have.
#1 Fertilize your Grass in the Hot Season
If you have not already, you can fertilize your grass now if you have warm season grass in your lawn. Fertilization works the best when it is done in early summer. When temps reach about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, go ahead and fertilize your lawn so that it has the nutrients that it needs as it is growing. When temps reach this level, your grass will begin to grow thick. When you fertilize your lawn in the early summer it helps it to be more heat and drought resistant. We do not typically have issues with drought in the High Country, however there are times in the summer when we experience little rain.
Be careful not to apply too much, you could cause stress and potentially even burn the grass. Only apply a little or use a formula that you have discussed with us when you are feeding it in the summer. Make sure to follow the instructions when applying it.
If you have cool season grasses in your lawn, you should not fertilize it in the summer, you should instead wait until the fall, or do it in the spring before the warmer summer months.
#2 Taller Grass = Stronger Root Growth and Heat Tolerance
We advise that you mow the grass high to maintain strong roots and to help the lawn be more tolerant of heat. While we do not experience the super high temperatures that locations off the mountain experience, many areas of the High Country still experience temperatures in the mid-80’s. Taller grass also means that you will experience less weeds and germination of invasive plants that want to takeover your grass. When the grass is a little bit taller, it provides a shade that keeps these types of weeds from germinating as easily.
When we provide mowing in Boone NC we set our blades a little bit higher, if our clients desire to have the most preferred lawn. Warm season grasses should be cut to 2-3 inches tall, and cooler season grasses should be mowed at 3-4 inches.
#3 Be Ready for the Summer Pests
The months of summer typically bring a certain level of pests as insects and bugs hatch out in the summer. The summer weather brings out June bugs, or Japanese beetles when referring to them by the correct name, grub worms and other types of creepy crawlies that munch on your grass and flowers in summer landscapes. Their life cycle is short, but their impact is great with regards to how much damage they can do in just one season. The worst part is they will be back year after year if you do not deal with them appropriately. They lay eggs and lie dormant in your soil until the next summer where they will be back to wreak more havoc. We can take care of your pest control landscaping needs by applying the right products at the right time to head off the bad bugs.
#4 Watering
Dry, hot summers can remove moisture from your soil. You should water deeply during the hot summer months, but only do it about twice a week. Water enough that when you go 4 to 6 inches into your grass you still feel a bit of moisture. The early morning hours are the best times to water your lawn, and even before sunrise if you can. If you water later in the day, you may be waiting until the sun has dried out the grass making it harder for your lawn’s roots to soak up the water. Check the forecast and only water during weeks that you do not see much rain.
#5 Aerate & Overseed
While these two tips are not must-dos in the summertime months, your lawn can greatly benefit from aeration in the summer, and overseeding. When you aerate the lawn, you break up the compacted soil and make way for new roots to grow and your grass to thicken up. With overseeding you give your lawn the opportunity to thicken up. This is particularly helpful if your lawn has bare spots or thin areas where the grass has not grown in as well.