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How to have a beautiful green lawn: Top 3 summer lawn care tips
1. Mow the right way
Whether you're using a riding mower or a push mower, regular mows can help keep your lawn healthy and looking great throughout the summer. Most lawns will need mowing every 4-6 days, but as a rule of thumb, your lawn’s ready to mow when it gets to be 3 inches tall.
Keep in mind that even though 3 inches is the guideline, don’t over-mow and cut it shorter than 2 inches, especially in the heat of summer. Cutting too much and too short will make it difficult for the grass to keep growing, while leaving it too long will open the door for weeds and other issues.
The key is finding the perfect balance.
Read more: Getting the best lawn mower cut quality
2. Water the grass, but…
The amount of water your lawn needs will vary depending on the climate you live in and the type of grass you have. Generally, grass needs about an inch of water per week – so if you’re not seeing rain, give it a good soak until it’s wet, but with no standing puddles.
Remember, mowing your lawn when it’s too wet can have several negative effects, including vulnerability to disease and other downfalls. Apart from the lawn being more difficult to mow, it’s always better to wait until things dry out for your lawn’s sake. With a zero-turn riding mower, it's generally advisable to wait longer before tackling a wet lawn. The weight of these mowers can cause deep tire marks and potentially damage both the grass and soil, not to mention the increased safety risks associated with operating a heavy machine on slippery ground. While push mowers may be more manageable on wet grass, it's still best to wait until the grass is reasonably dry. This reduces the risk of clumping and ensures a cleaner cut.
In drought conditions, it’s best to leave the grass and let nature run its course until water become available. Now, if you live in an area with frequent droughts, your grass is likely capable of handling more severe dehydration and can adapt to the conditions.
Read more: How often should I mow, fertilize and water my lawn?
3. Pull those weeds
For our last tip, know that weeds can quickly take over your lawn if you don’t stay on top of them. The best way to take control of weeds is to use a pre-emergent herbicide before they have a chance to sprout. If they do sprout and you use a pre-emergent, read the label and use as directed.
With these quick tips in hand, you’ve set yourself up to have a nice and green, freshly cut lawn you can be proud of this summer. For more tips from the pros, check out the Gravely blog.
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