Tips for Summertime Lawn Care

After you’ve found your dream house, moved in and unpacked, you may want to turn your attention to the yard and your lawn. Living in the high desert can be tricky when it comes to upkeep and care for your lawn. A dry climate requires more watering and the heat can burn the grass if it isn’t properly cared for, so to combat the heat and stress of summer, lawns need the proper amount of fertilization and water to thrive. Keep in mind that an excess of water or fertilizer can be just as harmful to the grass and environment as an application of too little. Summertime lawn care may vary slightly based on soil type, but for the most part, the basics are straightforward. Mowing, watering, weeding and fertilizing are the four major topics of care that will help to make your lawn the perfect spot for outdoor parties, family BBQs, and other summertime fun activities. The following tips offer some easy summertime lawn care;

Keep your mower blade sharp and high:

Most grass varieties perform better with a higher mow. Tall grass grows deeper roots with those roots reaching moisture that is farther down in the soil. A clean cut is also important, so make sure you keep your mower blades sharp. A dull blade can shred grass, making it lose moisture and turning shredded tips brown in color. This can give the appearance that your lawn is dead, which is not the look you want for those summertime parties in your new neighborhood!

Don’t over water and water in the morning:

Watering your lawn between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. is the most efficient time. Less water is lost to evaporation in the morning hours and your lawn has time to dry off before nightfall. A lawn that stays wet during the night encourages disease. Most turf grass varieties perform well with a half inch of water twice a week or one inch per week. Be sure to not water daily, this can kill your grass quickly!

Control weeds:

The best weed control is often keeping a healthy lawn and regular mowing. Summer annual weeds germinate from seeds and grow to maturity. These weeds typically germinate at the end of spring or the beginning of summer, die after the first frost, then reappear the following year. To stop weeds before they begin growing, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide that will prevent weeds such as crabgrass and other grassy weeds from germinating. Remember to always read and follow label instructions before applying any chemical to your lawn. Be sure to use pet and kid-friendly products if you have either, some of the products on the market can be extremely harmful to animals and humans.

In addition to lawn care, make sure your summer decorating is on point!

If you are currently looking for a new home in Central Oregon and want to find the perfect place with a great lawn, the brokers at Duke Warner Realty can help you find the perfect place to call your own!