Summer Lawn Care: 5 Tips to Maintain a Healthy Lawn

 

Summer is the time of year when your lawn shines the brightest. It’s perfect for backyard barbecues, family get-togethers, and lazy afternoons soaking up the sun. However, with the blazing heat, heavy foot traffic, and unpredictable weather, your grass faces some serious challenges. That’s why taking care of your lawn in the summer is essential. At Riverview Tree and Landscaping, we’re experts in keeping your yard looking its best all season. In this guide, we’ll cover the top summer lawn care services, why timing is key, and how you can achieve a lush, green lawn even during the hottest months.

Why Summer Lawn Care is Essential

Taking care of your lawn in the summer goes far beyond just mowing the grass. The combo of heat, drought, pests, and heavy use can put a lot of stress on your yard. Without the right care, your grass can turn brown, thin out, or be taken over by weeds. A solid summer lawn care routine keeps your turf healthy, strong, and ready for whatever the season throws at it.

The Basics of Summer Lawn Care

Mow High for Healthier Grass

One of the biggest tips for summer lawn care is to keep your grass mowed high. Longer blades of grass provide shade for the soil, helping it stay cooler and reducing moisture loss. This means your lawn will require less water and be better equipped to handle heat stress. Set your mower to leave grass about 3–4 inches tall, and avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade in one go. Leaving clippings on the lawn can return nutrients to the soil, supporting healthy growth.

Water Wisely

Watering is key to a thriving summer lawn. The ideal time to water is early in the morning, between 6 and 10 a.m., when temperatures are cooler and less water evaporates. Aim to provide about 1 to 1.5 inches of water each week, including rainfall, and water deeply but infrequently. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more resilient during dry spells. Try to skip watering in the evening, as that can encourage disease.

Feeding and Fertilizing

Giving your lawn a boost in early summer helps it handle heat and drought better. Use a slow-release fertilizer that’s right for your grass type and follow the directions closely to avoid burning your lawn. If you have cool-season grasses, it’s best to avoid fertilizing during the hottest part of summer and focus on spring and fall feedings. For warm-season grasses, early summer feeding is the way to go.

Weed and Pest Control

Weeds and pests love to take advantage of stressed lawns. Keeping up with regular mowing, watering, and feeding helps your grass outgrow these nuisances. You can pull weeds by hand or use targeted herbicides when necessary, just be sure to choose products that are safe for your grass type. Treat for pests like grubs early in the summer to avoid damage down the line.

Aeration and Overseeding

If your lawn feels hard or looks sparse, summer can be a great time to aerate and overseed, especially if you didn’t get around to it in the spring. Aeration allows water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the roots, while overseeding fills in bare patches for a fuller lawn.

Managing Lawn Traffic

With summer comes more outdoor activity, which can compact the soil and damage the grass. Try rotating play areas and consider using stepping stones to minimize wear on your lawn. If you spot any compacted areas, think about aerating them to relieve pressure and boost root health.

The Best Time for Summer Lawn Care

Early Summer: Setting the Stage

The beginning of summer is the ideal time to lay the groundwork for a successful lawn. Start with high mowing and apply a slow-release fertilizer suited for your grass. Water deeply in the morning and keep an eye out for pests or signs of disease. Early summer is also the right time to treat for grubs and, if necessary, apply pre-emergent weed control.

Mid-Summer: Keeping Up with Maintenance

As temperatures climb, continue to mow high and water thoroughly. Look for signs of drought stress, like bluish-gray grass or footprints that don’t bounce back. Adjust your watering routine as necessary, but steer clear of overwatering, which could lead to disease. Stay vigilant for weeds and pests, addressing any problems early to prevent them from spreading.

Late Summer: Ready for Fall

By late summer, your lawn might seem worn out, but that’s totally normal. Now’s the time to tackle any compacted or stressed areas by aerating and treating problem spots. Hold off on major overseeding or heavy fertilizing until fall, since that’s the best season for cool-season grasses to bounce back.

5 Common Summer Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mowing too short: Cutting your grass too low can expose the soil, dry out the roots, and allow weeds to thrive.
2. Overwatering or shallow watering: Watering too often but not deeply can lead to weak root systems and increase the risk of disease.
3. Over-fertilizing: Applying too much fertilizer during hot weather might actually harm your lawn.
4. Ignoring pests and weeds: If you don’t take care of small issues, they can escalate into bigger problems.
5. Compacting soil: Excessive foot traffic without aeration can suffocate roots and make your lawn thinner.

Professional Summer Lawn Care Services

At Riverview Tree and Landscaping, we provide a comprehensive range of summer lawn care services to keep your yard looking its best:

• Lawn mowing and edging
• Fertilization and weed control
• Pest and grub treatments
• Aeration and overseeding
• Lawn health assessments and soil testing
• Custom watering schedules

Our team utilizes the latest techniques and products to ensure your lawn remains healthy, green, and beautiful throughout the summer.

5 Tips for Summer Lawn Care Success

1. Set a regular mowing schedule: Aim to mow once a week or as needed, keeping in mind the one-third rule for grass height.
2. Check your sprinkler system: Ensure your lawn is receiving even coverage and make adjustments based on rainfall.
3. Sharpen mower blades: Using dull blades can tear grass, causing brown tips and making it more vulnerable to disease.
4. Let clippings lie: Leaving grass clippings on the lawn returns nutrients to the soil and helps retain moisture.
5. Rotate play areas: To prevent soil compaction, try to alternate where high-traffic activities are held.

Enjoy a Gorgeous Lawn All Summer Long

Taking care of your lawn in the summer doesn’t have to be a hassle. By keeping your grass a bit higher when you mow, watering it smartly, fertilizing at the right moments, and tackling weeds and pests as they come, you can achieve a lush, green yard all season. Ideally, you should kick off your summer lawn care early, but keeping an eye on your lawn through June, July, and August will ensure it stays vibrant and healthy.

If you’re looking for some expert assistance, Riverview Tree and Landscaping is at your service. Our skilled team provides tailored summer lawn care solutions designed to meet your yard’s specific requirements. Get in touch with us today to set up your summer lawn care and have a yard that all your neighbors will admire.

Don’t forget, the key to effective summer lawn care lies in timing and the right approach. With a bit of effort and a little help from Riverview Tree and Landscaping, your lawn will remain robust, green, and ready for all your summer activities.

 

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