27 Jul Protect Lawn from Burn Out This Summer!
Lawn burnout during the extreme heat of the summer is a real thing. Learn how to protect your lawn from burnout this summer. Did you know the term “dog days of summer” was coined by the Greeks and Romans to describe the hottest days of summer starting in July and lasting through mid-August. Now that we are wagging our way through the dog days of summer here in Nebraska, here are two quick tips to protect your lawn from the extreme heat.
Tip 1: Don’t cut your lawn too short
When mowing in extreme heat, try to mow the day after a good rainfall or irrigation day but avoid mowing when the grass is still wet to avoid clumping. Avoid cutting your grass during the hottest part of the day. Keep mower blades sharp for a clean cut to prevent damage to the grass blade. Did you know that grass cut with a dull blade develops a brown appearance on the ends and is susceptible to disease and stress? Stick to the one-third rule. Never remove more than one-third of the grass height at one time. Cutting your grass too short reduces the plants’ ability to produce energy to grow. Grass cut at the proper height develops stronger roots that support a healthier plant that is more tolerant of stress.
Tip 2: Limit Watering
It might seem natural to want to water your lawn more during extreme heat but avoid watering daily. Grass manages better when soil is on the dry side. When soil is continuously wet, it prevents oxygen from getting to the roots and making them more susceptible to weed growth, disease, and fungus. Lawns only need 1” of water per week, including rainfall during normal temperature conditions, but the requirements can increase to 2-3” of water during extreme heat. One inch of water would equate to roughly 2-hours of water from an irrigation system twice a week. The quality of the watering is better than the frequency. It is better to water deeply and less often to provide the entire root zone 6-8 inches below the surface access to water vs. frequency. Water early in the morning, so your lawn receives the full benefits of hydration before the sun’s heat starts beating down on it. Buy a rain gauge to help find the right balance between under-watering and over-watering when temperatures begin to increase.
When in doubt, call a pro. We can set you up with one of our scheduled service plans to help get your grass the greenest and healthiest lawn it can be. For more details on our service plans, click HERE!