June 3rd

By Mutt Mulligan

How to pretect your lawn against summer heat

For some areas of the country hot, dry days are already here, and for others it’s just a matter of time. So how do you help your lawn cope with summer heat and drought?

TurfMutt shares tips for keeping lawns healthy during summer heat.

• Mow high. Keeping your grass longer (about 3″ high) lets the roots get longer, too. This enables them to get to deep-down moisture even on the hottest of days. Keeping the grass longer also keeps the roots shaded and more protected from scorching sun.
• Keep mower blades sharp. You want to make sure your mower is actually cutting, rather than tearing, the blades, which can cause undo stress to the grass.
• Let clippings lie. Leaving your grass clippings on the lawn helps save you time, and it helps fortify the lawn by returning vital nutrients to the grass.
• Hydration how-to. The rule of thumb is to water deeply, but infrequently. Grass needs about an inch of water a week. Watering early in the morning will help ensure the water actually gets onto your grass, rather than just evaporating.