Homeowners must consider lawn irrigation and gardening care as the warmer months approach. Proper maintenance will encourage a lush lawn that’s perfect for practicing your golf swing, playing fetch with a pet, or soaking up the sun. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep the yard in top shape this summer.

Do:

Fertilize.

One application of fertilizer can feed the grass for six to eight weeks. Feed the lawn based on this schedule but don’t provide fertilizer if it’s not growing.

Grass that goes dormant during drought periods doesn’t need food. The blades will remain light green and won’t pull out of the ground if you try to take them out. Wait until the grass starts growing again to feed the yard and start on a new six to eight-week schedule.

Mow regularly.

Mowing the grass promotes health by cutting off the older section at the top and encouraging new growth. Your yard will be the most durable when you follow a regular cutting schedule.

Keep the lawn about 2.5 inches high and cut about one-third of the top off whenever the grass reaches 3 to 4 inches tall. This longer length makes maintenance easier and withstands games of fetch and lawn darts.

Don’t:

Overwater.

Lawn irrigation isn’t as simple as remembering to water the grass once a week. Set the sprinklers to run before 10 a.m. so that the sun doesn’t evaporate the water.

Give your grass about 1 inch of water per week to promote a green yard, and stick with longer, deeper lawn irrigation sessions, like twice-weekly waterings, to promote deep, strong roots.

Step on a wet lawn.

Many people maintain their yards to have an outdoor space to hang out with children and pets. On the days you plan to water, keep everyone off the grass.

Lawn irrigation temporarily weakens the blades as they soak up the water, so consider irrigating the front yard one day and the back yard another to give your family one side to play on.

 

Homeowners interested in professional lawn irrigation should contact The Sprinkler Connection, serving Monroe County, NY, and the surrounding areas. The company has been in business for over 30 years, and the owner Stephanie is a Certified Irrigation Contractor. Visit the website or call (585) 398-3960 for information on their offerings, including using water-efficient systems to irrigate lawns, maintaining sprinklers, and performing backflow testing.