Getting a healthy, enviable lawn is a priority for many around the country. In 2021, it's projected that the landscaping market in the U.S. is going to be worth more than $105 billion!
Yard maintenance is a point of pride for many, with hours of labor put into achieving a great yard. But you may be wondering how you can prepare your lawn for the heat of summer and keep it looking healthy.
If so, be sure to keep reading for yard maintenance tips to help with your summer lawn care!
One of the first important steps in your lawn maintenance is to aerate your lawn. This allows water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach the roots of your grass. This important step creates healthier roots and deeper, richer color.
You can either buy or rent an aerator or hire a company to do it for you. You may need to aerate every year if you live in a hot, dry climate. Otherwise, you may only need to aerate every two or three years if your lawn doesn't get a lot of foot traffic.
Thatch forms at the base of your grass, right where it meets the soil. It's a mixture of both dead grass and living material.
In some cases, thatch can break down and act as organic mulch, nourishing your grass. But when it becomes too thick, it actually blocks water, fertilizer, and other nutrients from reaching the roots of your grass. At that point, you need to remove the thatch in order to keep your growing grass as healthy as possible.
Fertilizing your grass is a necessary and vital step to help boost its growth through the season. But be sure not to fertilize too early, which can cause the grass to divert energy from strong root growth.
Instead, wait until you start to see the grass growing robustly. This is usually in late spring. Then, apply fertilizer of your choice and be sure to water it generously! You can also leave your grass clippings on your lawn to act as a natural mulch and fertilizer.
The first mowing of the year is one of the most important. If you've overseeded or planted a new lawn, be sure to wait until the new grass is at least two inches tall. Also make sure your blade is nice and sharp to give your grass a good, clean cut.
You don't want to remove more than a third of the grass blade at any time. Cutting shorter can create stress and weaken its roots.
Getting your lawn on a watering schedule is important to help it thrive. Early morning waterings before it gets too hot are the most effective. It's also best to water deeply, but infrequently, to promote stronger roots.
An irrigation system can help automatically water your grass. If you tend to forget about watering your lawn, consider installing sprinklers. This can help make your lawn maintenance much easier.
Putting in the necessary work into your yard at the beginning of summer is vital. Not only does it help promote a healthier yard, but can mean less work in the coming weeks and months to keep your grass thriving.
If you're interested in getting a lush, healthy lawn this summer, be sure to contact us today! We have products to help meet all your yard maintenance needs this summer.
