by
Dawn West, All About Lawns Columnist
Summer Lawn Care |
Whether you want a lush, green lawn to show off at your backyard barbeque or simply to walk around on barefoot when it's just you, a great summer lawn is part of a great summer in general. So how do you get the lawn you're looking for? Let these summer lawn care do's and don'ts be your guide. Your summer lawn care and maintenance choices will make the difference between a healthy green lawn and a scraggly brown one.
Tip #1 -- Don't Misapply Fertilizer
Fertilizing is one of the best lawn maintenance choices you can make. But misapply it, and things turn ugly. The nitrogen in fertilizer can burn your lawn, and when temperatures soar, the likelihood of burning goes up. To prevent damage, go for a slow-release fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content than usual and follow the directions carefully.
Tip #2 -- Do Water Your Lawn
One of the most common summer lawn care pitfalls is inadequate watering. You may be
watering your lawn like normal, but the evaporation that results from the heat means that less of that water is getting to your lawn's roots. Water until the moisture gets about six inches into the soil, and consider increasing the number of times per week you turn on the sprinklers.
Tip #3 -- Don't Slip and Slide
If your kids are just dying for a Slip and Slide, giving one to the neighbors is the way to go. Your lawn has done nothing but provide you with a soft green all-purpose summer surface. Don't even think about smothering it with plastic it in return.
Tip #4 -- Do Get in Some Good Barefoot Time
Nothing beats wiggling your toes on your hard-earned green.
Dawn West B.A. holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and teaches writing at Oregon State University.
