The height of summer heat is here; will your grass withstand it? We recommend the following techniques and tactics to keep your grass healthy throughout the summer's severe heat.
Refrain From Cutting Grass Too Short
Too short mowing limits the plants' capacity to create energy for development. When grass is trimmed to the appropriate height, it generates stronger roots that support more vigorous plants. Varied grass types have different growth patterns that are closely related to mowing heights (read here to learn more about when does grass stop growing). Cool-season and warm-season grasses require slightly different management approaches and mowing heights.
Remember the One-Third Rule
The "one-third" guideline states that you should never remove more than one-third of the grass height at a time. Cool season grasses benefit from a higher blade height in the heat of summer. If a grass is typically trimmed at 2.5 inches, raising it to 3 inches will provide several advantages.
Limit Water Intake
The need to overwater is a frequent misunderstanding regarding keeping grass in severe temperatures. The less illness there is, the dryer the grass and soil, thus water it "deeply and rarely." Lawns require little more than one inch of water each week, including rainfall. To decide the next watering time, simply "eyeball" it; if it begins to seem dry, water. If you want to be more precise, water the areas of the grass that dry up faster than the rest of the lawn.
When In Drought
During times of drought, avoid mowing the grass. Lawns under such stress have a limited ability to recover after mowing and might be further harmed. Rather, mow the lawn after a rain or irrigation day. To minimize clumping, avoid cutting damp grass.
Keep Blades Sharp
When grass is mowed with a sharp mower blade, it heals faster than when it is cut with a dull blade. Dull blades will rip the plant tissue rather than cutting it; damaged grass tissue will create a brown look on the surface and may become more sensitive to stress and disease. Sharper blades will assist to prevent browning and further damage to the plant.
Do Not Bag Grass Clippings
Clippings are really useful to the grass since they decay and function as a slow-release fertilizer for the plant. It is critical that the clippings are aimed away from roadways, storm drains, and bodies of water. To minimize pollution, bag the clippings within one or two mower widths of the water's edge.
Fertilizing and Cultivation? Don’t Even Think About It
Fertilizing encourages greater development, which demands more energy use during the hot summer months. Aerification and dethatching follow the same rules. Resist aggressive behaviors that cause momentary harm during the summer heat. Instead, cultivate in the fall or spring when the turf is robust and can rapidly recover from the temporary harm.
Importance of Year-Round Health
A two-pronged strategy will make it easier to maintain a healthy grass. Seasonal maintenance includes fertilizer, watering, mowing, and insect control. Think of step one in terms of your personal health as eating correctly, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep to guarantee your greatest long-term health. Step two is to employ optimal management methods throughout the real summer stress season - everything that has been mentioned thus far.
