Beat the Heat: Mid-Summer Lawn Maintenance with Enviro Masters
Although we commonly long for sunny summer days, it’s important to remember that extreme heat can be taxing. Similar to how people experience the effects of excessive sun, your lawn does too. We typically start to feel the effects of a hotter sun during mid-summer. If you’re feeling parched, dried up, and burnt, it is likely your lawn is in a similar state. As the thermostat continues to rise, your lawn is bound to suffer. We have compiled a helpful list of tips to help your lawn combat the scorching sun and periods of drought this summer.
Enviro Masters wants to help you maintain a healthy, thick, green lawn all summer long. Let’s get started!
Watering your lawn is key to maintaining healthy growth and the desired vibrant green colour.
Your watering schedule will have to be adjusted depending on the season and according to how much rain there is. Typically, your lawn will need more regular watering during mid-summer, when the sun reaches its hottest temperatures and we experience periods of drought. On average, most lawns require about an inch of water per week to stay healthy. Although it may seem logical to water your lawn during the hottest part of the day, it can actually cause more damage due to rapid evaporation. This can result in your lawn becoming even more dried up than before. Deep and infrequent watering during cooler morning hours will allow your lawn to absorb the water more efficiently and penetrate the roots with moisture. Furthermore, you should avoid watering your lawn in the evening as the grass will remain wet overnight. A prolonged period of wet grass overnight can lead to disease.
Finally, an irrigation system is an ideal way to keep your lawn hydrated throughout the summer. Should your lawn be uneven with slopes, hills, or bumps, you can adjust your system to allow more time for water to be absorbed. Sprinkler systems will allow you to schedule your waterings to further optimize the health of your lawn.
Optimize Your Watering Schedule
Watering your lawn is key to maintaining healthy growth and the desired vibrant green colour.
Not only does mowing your lawn give off a fresh scent and polished look, but it also enables its overall health and growth. However, there are certain mowing techniques to be aware of during peak summer heat that will help you maintain the lushness and vibrance of your lawn. First, you should be mindful of your mowing frequency. Although the look of a well-manicured lawn is often desired, keeping grass longer during the hottest summer months will help protect it from the sun. Longer and denser turf requires less water, and grass roots will be able to extend deeper into the earth which prevents weeds from coming up and competing for water. When you do cut your lawn, no more than ⅓ of the height of the leaf blade should be cut off to prevent stress and browning. Maintaining a lawn that is 3 to 3.5 inches in length will help prevent weed and insect infestation in the heat of the summer. Finally, it’s important that your mower blades are sharp. Mowing with a dull blade can cause the grass to fray, which is more likely to brown in the hot sun.
Strategic Mowing Techniques
Organic compost is a miracle treatment that is extremely nourishing and can bring a dried-out lawn back to life. It is rich in organic matter, plant essential nutrients and contains microorganisms that naturally enhance soil and promote the overall health of your turf. The main benefit of using organic compost on your lawn is its ability to improve the soil’s water and nutrient holding capacity. This will increase your lawn’s tolerance to better withstand hot temperatures and drought, as well as maximizes its nutrient uptake. The natural hormones found in Enviro Masters 100% weed-free organic top-dressing will enhance turf growth and promote and provide for deep green grass, even amidst summers hottest temperatures. To get the most of organic composting, our certified lawn technicians will lay a thin layer of pelletized top dressing on your lawn. This improves the organic composition of the soil of your lawn and provides a food source for additional growth during the summer months. Your lawn will be rejuvenated following an application of organic compost.
Extreme summer heat doesn’t have to get the best of you and your lawn this year. Optimizing your watering schedule, incorporating proper mowing techniques that promote growth and applying organic compost are the best steps you can take to maintain the life of your lawn. Being proactive with your lawn care can make all the difference in achieving a healthy lawn all summer long. Enviro Masters’ team of skilled lawn experts can help you beat the heat, contact us today to learn more about our services and lawn care programs.