Looking after your lawn

So according to our new weather app on our facebook page today is going to be an absolute scorcher and according to the Beeb, the hotest day at Wimbledon ever! With that in mind and the amount of turf we have been selling recently, I figure it's appropriate to write a blog on taking care of your lawn in the summer heat. (Also perhaps my father will take a look and not destroy his lawn again this year!)

Decide beforehand about watering your lawn

Decide at the beginning of the season to either water lawns consistently as needed throughout the season, or let lawns go dormant as conditions turn hot and dry. Do not rotate back and forth. In other words, don’t let the grass turn totally brown, then apply enough water to green it up, then let the grass go dormant again. Breaking the lawns dormancy actually drains large amounts of food reserves from the plant.

When is it time to water?

The first few warm days of summer does not automatically mean it's time to water lawns. In fact, allowing lawns to start to go under mild drought stress actually increases rooting. Watch for foot printing, or footprints remaining on the lawn after walking across it (instead of leaf blades bouncing back up). Grasses also tend to turn darker in colour as they go under drought stress.

Water conservation

If you decide to water your lawn, it only needs about 2.5 cm (1 inch) per week. Use a sprinkler that shoots low to the ground and avoid allowing water to hit the driveway or into the street. Set out a rain gauge or a tuna can then turn on your sprinkler to see how long it takes to get 2.5 cm of water. Then you will know the next time how long to leave the sprinkler on for. Water not being absorbed quickly could mean a compaction or thatch problem and your lawn could need aerating. Remember the 2.5 cm (1 inch) once a week rule applies to lawns that are already well established. New grass seed and sod will require 2.5 cm of water two to three times per week for the first three weeks after which time you can water for established lawns.

Mow high

Mow your lawn at a higher than normal height. This will help shade the soil, help to stop weeds from getting started and encourage roots to be stronger.

Hold off watering after fertilisation

To reduce the possibility of having fertiliser wash into our water system, don’t water heavily soon after fertilising. Use light watering to give the fertiliser the opportunity to be absorbed by the soil. Also, if heavy rains are in the forecast, hold off fertilising until the heavy rains have passed. Avoid applying an excess of nitrogen as warm weather approaches.

Water problem areas by hand

Many lawns have one or two spots that require more water than the rest of the lawn. A south-facing or sunny area in an otherwise shady lawn is an example of a “problem area.” If you water your entire lawn every time you need to water these hot spots, you’ll likely overwater everyplace but these spots.

Minimize walking on your lawn

Dormant grass is already stressed, and foot traffic or landscape equipment will crush the dry, delicate crowns of the grass. This will kill the grass and cause bare spots in the lawn – where weeds will invade. Do not mow your grass when it is dormant.