Keep Your Lawn Going Over Summer Vacation

Tip of the Week – How to keep your lawn going over summer vacations. 

In the dog days of summer it’s vitally important to keep your lawn hydrated, fed, and mowed. Here are a few tips to keep your lawn going even while you sneak in one or two more vacations before the end of summer.

Water:  I say it all the time, but water is the most important component to keeping your lawn looking good all summer long. And, while you may think your lawn is getting enough water from frequent summer rain storms – water is quickly absorbed, processed, and passed along to storm drains leaving your lawn needing more.  Also, if you’re someone who likes to keep your lawn short, know that your lawn will need to be watered more frequently. Water in between rain storms and make sure your lawn gets at least 1 inch of water a week.  You can easily measure the amount of water your lawn is receiving by putting out a dish or jar to catch water or rainfall. 

Watering Tips: Water deeply and install sprinklers / irrigation systems (professional / home installed), soaker hoses, or rain capture systems (rain barrels).  Water early in the morning to help your lawn make better use of water and stave off evaporation. Finally, keep your lawn a little longer to shade your grass's root system.

Mow on a Higher Setting: During these hot summer months, your lawn is struggling to stay cool and hydrated. Make sure to mow your lawn at higher setting. Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass are cool season grasses and are generally what I see in Northern Virginia. These grasses benefit from being kept between 2 and 3 inches long (no more than 3 inches).

Mowing Tips: If you’re unsure about how high to set your mowing deck – start out by moving it up ½ an inch. Check your grass height after the initial mowing, and then move the deck up again if grass still appears too short. Also, sharpen your lawn mower blades. Mower blades are the key to getting a fresh looking cut, they're also one reason why a lawn that is professionally mowed usually looks better than a homeowner maintained lawn. Generally, I recommend sharpening your blades twice a season, though professionals do this more frequently.

Fertilize: If you haven’t fertilized at all or since last spring – now is the time to fertilize your lawn. Feeding helps to give your lawn an instant boost during the hot and stressful days of summer. It’s particularly important to keep your lawn well fed to create a healthier and thicker lawn, which crowds out weeds and the potential for their growth.

Fertilizing Tips: Purchase a soil test kit from your local garden supply and test your soil to determine the PH level and nutrients. A soil test will give you an NPK ratio and/or your soil’s PH, which will then allow you to buy the right fertilizer. If you’re unsure how to apply fertilizer or are uncomfortable with the idea, I highly recommend hiring a professional.

Happy Landscaping! And, don’t forget these tips to keep your lawn going all summer long - even while you're on vacation!

Aaron Gorski

Owner, The Greener Side Lawn & Landscaping, LLC

Got a landscaping question?  Send it my way: PatchQuestions@GreenerSideLLC.com

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