Summer 2019

Summer can bring quite a bit of stress to lawns. In addition to keeping it healthy while temperatures soar, it also needs to withstand the foot traffic from barbecues, games and parties. Here are our recommendations for July and August (keeping in mind that sites, situations and conditions vary).

Lawns need the proper amount of fertilization and water to thrive in summer. However, too much water or fertilizer can also be harmful. Less frequent deep watering will train your lawn to grow deeper roots and withstand drought — as long as you don’t have a hardpan compaction layer or rock outcropping. These spots will be the first to burn out in summer. You should water until about 6 inches into the soil is moist.

The best time to water is in the morning when it is cooler. If you have our Lawn Care Program, our technicians may have added slow release fertilizer with micro-nutrient soil supplements to your turf to keep it healthy during the summer. Top dressing with a compost/sand mix in fall will also aid in tolerance. When it comes to mowing, ask your maintenance provider to mow to about 3” and to ensure the mower blade is sharp. Jagged and uneven edges can create openings for pests and diseases.

You can also tell your provider to skip the weekly mowing to every other week and have them spend the time instead on weeding or select pruning. For high-traffic areas consider installing stepping stones to minimize damage to your grass.

For more information about our Traditional, Organic-Based, and Pure Organic lawn care programs, please contact your local Almstead branch office.