Admit it—you have lawn envy. The green lawns of summer are beckoning to you and all you want is to carpe diem the blades of grass. Well, if a perfect summer lawn is your goal then this is the blog for you. A healthy summer lawn starts with pre-summer maintenance. Your pre-summer maintenance to-do list starts here. This is our ultimate list of everything you will need to do to get your lawn summer ready.
Start with a soil test. Now is a great time to conduct a soil test to find out if your soil needs any adjustments. Fertilization (Nitrogen) and Lime applications can be used to help keep the PH balance of your lawn.
Fertilize. Both spring and fall are good times to fertilize your lawn. It’s best to apply fertilizer just as your grass begins its most active growth.
Water, water, water. It’s best to water in early morning, very early—like 5 a.m. early. This gives your lawn an opportunity to dry before nightfall, a time when many types of fungus are most active. An actively growing lawn this time of year will require about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week (including rainfall).
Trim. Your grass is starting to grow fast, and you might even be cutting more than once a week to keep up. To keep grass healthy, mow often enough so you’re removing no more than 1/3 of the grass blade. And, mowing in varied directions ensures a more uniform cut, an upright growth pattern and reduce soil compaction.
Keep the clippings. If you abide by the 1/3 rule, your grass clippings are essentially a natural mulch for your lawn. Clippings are rich in organic compounds and will help feed your lawn, so don’t bother bagging them up. Just make sure you mow when the lawn is dry so the clippings don’t clump up.
Pick those persistent weeds. Weeds that have escaped your earlier spring herbicide application should be removed by hand or with a garden fork. Use a post-emergent herbicide only if you think the situation is getting out of hand.
Get rid of grubs. Warming weather means that grub worms, the larvae stage of June, Japanese, and other beetles, start feeding on the tender root systems of lawns. Affected lawns show browning and wilting patches.
Keep the chemicals to a minimum. Weed and feed is a spring ritual for many lawn enthusiasts but beware of overdoing it. Too many chemicals can stress the plant’s roots, putting your lawn at risk during the intense heat of summer.
It’s easy being green this summer when you have the right help. The Good’s lawn care team of licensed technicians offer professional services to residential and commercial properties to help keep your lawn healthy, green and weed-free throughout the season. We will suggest a lawn care program to help with fertilization, weed and grub control, and aeration that meets your expectations.
