Warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine help your lawn grow lush and green in the springtime, but by the end of the summer, the heat can take its toll. Giving your grass some TLC during the last days of summer can help prevent it from looking brown and barren during fall and get it into good shape for the winter. Follow these lawn care tips, and your yard will be the envy of the neighborhood all year round. 

4 Summer Lawn Care Tips

1. Mow Properly

Cutting the grass too short can prevent the roots from growing deeply, keeping them from accessing necessary moisture. Taller grass helps provide shade to keep moisture in the soil, and it collects more light during the day, increasing nutrients to the roots. Set your mower blades to the highest level to avoid cutting the grass too short. 

2. Leave Grass Clippings Behind

Although many mowers have bags to collect grass clippings, using the mulch setting and leaving the clipping on the lawn will benefit the grass. The clippings break down and naturally fertilize the soil, and provide additional shade that protects moisture. Avoid leaving behind large clumps of grass; instead, spread the clippings out across the yard as part of your lawn care routine. 

3. Feed Regularly

Regularly feeding your lawn helps keep the grass healthy and strong, which can prevent weeds from taking hold. As part of your annual lawn care routine, fertilize your lawn in the spring at the beginning of the growing season, and again in the fall. You can also feed every six to eight weeks during the summer using a lawn care fertilizer designed for summer use. This ensures that the soil has adequate nutrients to support healthy growth. 

4. Water Properly 

Grass grows best when it’s watered deeply and infrequently, so skip the quick daily watering sessions in favor of a good soaking every few days. This encourages the roots to grow more deeply and increases drought tolerance. Water your lawn early in the morning (between 6 and 10 a.m.) to prevent evaporation, and give it at least an inch of water per week. Use a coffee can or rain stick to measure the water to avoid over-or under-watering. 

Installing a lawn and garden irrigation system can make your lawn care tasks easier and keep your yard looking great. With more than 25 years of experience installing and maintaining residential and commercial automatic watering systems, Artistic Irrigation of Woodbury, CT, will design an irrigation system that gives your lawn the right amount of water at the right time. Their team of experienced professionals also handles irrigation repairs on existing systems. Visit their website to learn more about their services or call (203) 263-6622 to schedule a consultation.