Summer Lawn Care
It’s great to maintain a nice-looking lawn year-round but taking care of your lawn’s health is even more important. Particularly during Australia’s hottest months. Here are a few easy ways to make sure your lawn is set up for success this summer.
MOWING
Not only does it impress the neighbours when your lawn is neat and tidy, but did you know mowing regularly is healthy for your lawn as well? It may be satisfying to plough through knee-high grass and see the transformation, but weekly (or even more frequent) mowing is ideal for keeping your lawn thick and encouraging growth. During the summer months, be sure to raise your cutting deck and keep your grass a little longer. This provides shade and cooling for the root systems and will help prevent your lawn from drying out. You may consider mulching too. Using a mulch kit occasionally is a great way to give your lawn a boost of nutrients as the clippings will quickly break down into the soil. The extra layer of chopped clippings will also offer insulation and help hold in moisture. Just make sure not to do this too often, or let the mulch build up as this can prevent nutrients from reaching the roots. Try to mow earlier in the day before the heat sets in. Cutting the grass during the peak of the day can cause the leaf blades to burn.
MOWER MAINTENANCE
There’s no time like the present to get your mower into fighting shape – ready to battle the heat. Bring your mower in for a service and be sure to check the blades. Running your mower with sharp blades means a tidier lawn and a healthier lawn. You won’t need to worry about weakened grass or those pests that prey on damaged lawn.
WATERING
Do we really need to tell you to water your lawn in summer? Probably not. But, figuring out the best time to water the lawn and how to manage any pooling is important to touch on. When the heat is setting in, water your lawn early. Early watering allows plenty of time to lock in moisture before evaporation starts. It can be tempting to water your lawn in the evening, but this can have the opposite affect you’re hoping for. While your lawn will likely absorb plenty of water in the evening, your lawn is more likely to develop fungal issues. Set your lawn up for success by ensuring all the water it wants, can be absorbed, early. You may need to aerate regularly if you have compact soil, this will give the grass a fighting chance against the sun and allow nutrients, air and water to more easily reach the root systems. If you notice pooling water on your lawn, or water running off the side of your lawn after only a short period of watering, you may need to check if your soil is water repellent. Using a wetting agent can help in some cases where aerating hasn’t done the trick. Wetting agents are a great option if you are in drought or have water restrictions as well as they enable your lawn to soak up more water and hold it for longer.
FERTILISING
Fertiliser, along with your regular watering, is a great way to boost your lawn’s nutrients and give it the energy it needs to withstand that summer scorching. Look for a slow-release formula that lasts for the whole season, or a fertiliser infused with a wetting agent if your lawn needs a little extra help absorbing moisture too. Fertilising early in the season is ideal as it can fry the lawn in high temperatures. Look for a low-nitrogen fertiliser to use in the summer months to prevent burning.
WEEDING
Stay on top of weeds throughout the summer months. This peak growing period can get out of control if you’re not careful. While some weeds don’t enjoy the heat, others will thrive. Tackling weeds regularly is the best way to keep them from spreading or becoming overwhelming in your lawn. Patch any spots that need it with lawn seed and fertiliser to keep your grass growing smoothly all season.
