Summer is an excellent time to enjoy the outdoors, but it can also be challenging for your lawn. The heat and dry conditions, coupled with high-traffic outdoor activities, can stress your grass and cause damage, leaving it looking brown and unhealthy. However, homeowners can take several steps to help keep their lawns green and vibrant throughout the season with our summer lawn care tips.
Mow Efficiently
Mowing your lawn correctly can significantly impact its health. During the summer, mow just enough to maintain the optimal height for your warm-season grass. Letting your grass grow too long can be problematic, as well as removing more than one-third of the total leaf blade height at one time could stress your lawn.
Summer Mowing Recommendations:
- Bermuda grass – 1 to 1.5 inches
- St. Augustine grass – 2.5 to 3 inches
- Zoysia grass – 2 to 2.5 inches
However, keeping grass too short causes it to brown in the heat, suffer damage more quickly, and struggle to retain moisture. Moisture loss increases when the grass is shredded instead of being cut clean, so sharpen the mower blades before the season begins.
Water Wisely
The amount of water your lawn needs can vary based on weather conditions, soil drainage, and the amount of sunlight or shade in your landscape. The general recommendation is to give your lawn about one inch of water weekly. Water in the morning before the heat begins to build. This helps reduce evaporation and ensures that the water reaches the roots. Avoid watering in the evening, as this can promote fungal growth and damage.
Conservation Tip
Watch out for water restrictions during the summer. Many Texas cities mandate specific watering days to help conserve resources during drier seasons. Our experts recommend using an optimized sprinkler or irrigation system water deep into the ground while maintaining a consistent, compliant watering schedule. These systems come equipped with rain sensors, reducing unnecessary wastage and utility bills.
Make Grass-Free Paths
Backyards are popular summer hangouts, with plenty of cookouts and playdates during school vacations. However, heavy foot traffic can damage dry grass and cause unsightly dead patches on the lawn. Consider adding a beautiful and functional stone pathway or stepping stones in areas where people commonly walk. Our landscaping team recommends using natural stones as a durable and environmentally friendly option to help reduce the stress on the grass.
Clear the Clutter
Leaving chairs, toys, kiddie pools, and lawn care equipment out on the grass is a surefire way to cause damage. The pressure creates soil compaction, making grass hard to grow and possibly preventing essential nutrients from reaching the root system. Removing clutter can also prevent standing water from collecting, reducing the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus.
Pet Parent Tip
It’s also necessary to clean up after your furry friends. With its high nitrogen content, pet urine may burn grass if it’s not rinsed away quickly.
Manage Common Lawn Pests
A damaged lawn becomes susceptible to attacks by insects and lawn diseases. Grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms are common yard pests that can cause significant damage to root systems, leading to dead patches of grass. Regularly inspecting your yard for signs of pest activity is crucial, as some insects can destroy a lawn in a matter of days. Additionally, look for powdery residue or brown spots, as these can indicate fungal growth and require treatment. Preventative treatments from professional lawn care technicians can reduce the risk of common pests while providing essential nutrients and fertilizers.
Let ABC Home & Commercial Services help protect your lawn all summer care with our comprehensive lawn services. Whether you need someone to handle regular mowing or require special attention to bounce back from damage, our methods are designed to address and fix common warm-weather problems. Contact us today to schedule service for your North Texas home or business.
