The Dos and Don'ts of Mowing Your Lawn in the Summer
Most homeowners who have a backyard or a lawn enjoy decorating and maintaining it. After all, keeping your outdoor area healthy and lush is important to your family’s well-being and the property’s aesthetic appeal. Proper lawn mowing in the summer, in particular, becomes even more important as outdoor activities are in full swing. This is when you and your family are most likely to walk on your grass versus during the colder fall and winter months.
While there are several right ways to look after your lawn in the warmer months, there are also some wrong ways, which should be avoided. Improper practices can damage your grass and leave you with an unsightly yard.
With that in mind, we bring you some dos and don’ts of lawn mowing in the summer.
Importance of Summer Lawn Care
As a seasoned landscape material provider, we can explain why proper summer lawn care and lawn mowing are crucial for your landscape.
For starters, the hot and dry weather can wear out the grass, making it more vulnerable to diseases, pests, and weed infestations. Regular watering, fertilizing, and proper summer lawn mowing can help keep these issues at bay. It prevents weed growth and strengthens your plants against any pest or disease issues early on. This way, you can potentially avoid costly lawn treatments, saving money and time in the long term.
Proper summer lawn care can also enhance the overall appearance of your property by increasing its curb appeal. Following the right lawn mowing practices is especially vital if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future.
Moreover, a well-maintained lawn can benefit the environment as healthy grass absorbs carbon dioxide, filter pollutants, and reduce soil erosion.
The Dos and Don’t of Summer Lawn Mowing
1. Dos of Summer Lawn Mowing
A. Maintain a Proper Lawn Mowing Schedule
Maintaining a sound lawn mowing schedule cannot be emphasized enough. Depending on how tall you want your grass to be and its growth rate, your summer mowing schedule will vary from once to several times a week. Starting with the highest setting for cutting grass and gradually lowering it as summer progresses can result in a lush and healthy lawn.
B. Use Compost and Mulch
Using compost and mulch in your lawn, including on the garden beds, can help the soil retain moisture. Compost contains soil-friendly microorganisms which help improve the grass’s root system, enabling better nutrient absorption. Mulching can help with water retention too. Apply it at the time of lawn mowing for the best results.
C. Ensure Proper Hydration and Weed Removal
Your lawn will need more water than usual in the summer months. However, try to water it in the mornings when the atmosphere is still cool. Watering at the hottest time of the day can sometimes prove useless.
This is because the water can evaporate before it is absorbed by your lawn, resulting in your grass becoming dehydrated or burnt by the sun. Also, watering after sunset can lead to overnight wetness, causing fungal issues.
Further, weed growth can be annoying, especially if it is rampant. In such cases, you may use an eco-friendly herbicide in your lawn and garden beds.
D. Water the Lawn Consistently
It is a good idea to water your lawn thoroughly once a day rather than use small amounts of water several times a day. Deep watering allows the soil to soak up the water, promoting healthy roots.
2. Don’ts of Summer Lawn Mowing
Make sure to avoid the following in your summer lawn care routine.
A. Allow Pest Infestation
Improper lawn mowing and poor maintenance can make your landscape susceptible to pests like bugs, grubs, and more. These pests result in brown patches on the grass, making your lawn unhealthy and unappealing. Using organic pesticides can help prevent such issues and keep your lawn in good shape. You can easily buy organic lawn supplies from your trusted local landscape material provider.
B. Use Strong Fertilizers and Weed Killers
Strong chemical fertilizers can damage your lawn if applied incorrectly or too soon after lawn mowing. They can also kill the essential microbes in the soil, drying out the grass.
Weed killers can be harmful to your lawn’s health too, especially if they’re temperature-sensitive. Avoid using them if the weather is 84 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Additionally, if your lawn has become dormant in the summer heat, avoid feeding it.
C. Cut the Grass Too Short
Another summer lawn mowing tip is to avoid cutting your grass too often or too short. If you mow too often in the same direction, the blades of your grass will grow on an angle, stressing out your lawn.
At the time of lawn mowing, ensure to raise the mower blade so you don’t end up cutting the grass too short. Remember, the shorter you cut it, the weaker it will be. Also, use a sharp blade because a dull one will rip through the grass instead of giving it a clean cut.
D. Walk on Your Lawn Too Often
We say this because the foot traffic can stress out your lawn over time. It can also result in poor drainage, which can not only cause flooding but also prevent your lawn from absorbing the water properly. As a result, your lawn will lose the much-needed moisture and nutrition it needs to flourish.
Contact Pioneer Landscape Centers For Tips on Summer Lawn Care
Following the right summer lawn care practices is crucial to maintaining your yard. Do things the wrong way, and your lawn will feel it later. From proper lawn mowing and using compost to avoiding weed killers and eliminating pests - each of these steps can go a long way in creating the lawn of your dreams.
Pioneer is committed to helping you keep your property’s outdoor spaces in top shape. We’ll get you the products you need, while providing superior customer experiences. That's the Pioneer Difference. Get in touch with us today.