Lawn Maintenance Reminders
The summer heat in TX can be excruciating at times, with temperatures over 100 degrees and high humidity levels. If you can’t stand to be outside during this weather, just imagine how your lawn feels! A healthy yard requires adequate hydration and reprieve from the scorching sun just as much as you do. Particularly hot days can cause poorly maintained lawns to go into shock with the rapid dehydration of the grass and roots, and a lawn can even die from the extreme heat.
Watering Your Yard
Lawns can suffer from dehydration in the soil and the sod, which can then cause the potentially-fatal disease called hydrophobia. This sickness of the soil causes the ground to repel water, eliminating its ability to attract and absorb moisture, which is needed for it to live. Follow the following guidelines to maintain a flourishing yard.
Don’t Limit Proper Watering to the Summer—Practice Year-Round Lawn Care Techniques
It is important to practice proper lawn care techniques all year round for a healthy, self-sufficient yard. This practice includes watering deeply and less frequently to encourage the growth of deeply-set roots below the evaporation level of the soil. The purpose of urging on a deep rooting system is to develop a lawn that requires less watering all year round, and one that won’t die from a dry summer season. Daily watering can be poor lawn care practice, promoting a shallow root system that loses its moisture quickly and easily. Water your lawn deeply and twice weekly for a healthy TX lawn.
Implement Wetting Agents for Optimal Lawn Care in TX
When soil becomes severely dehydrated, it loses its ability to re-absorb and retain water effectively. This weakened soil becomes susceptible to the condition called hydrophobia; however, it can be controlled and cured by the use of wetting agents. These agents are inexpensive products that allow soil to retain water longer and can distribute the moisture more evenly.
Only Fertilize in the Morning, Never in the Afternoon
On a hot TX summer day, it is imperative to fertilize only in the morning and water immediately following, instead of waiting until the scorching sun is at its peak. Fertilizer left sitting on the lawn in the afternoon when the sun is at its highest and hottest will burn the grass leaves and cause damage due to the nitrogen in the fertilizer.
If The Forecast Calls For a Scorcher, Water Only in the Morning
Proper lawn care in TX states that your yard should be watered deeply only in the morning. This is to prevent water from being wasted, since the majority of it will merely be evaporated if watered in the afternoon. The water droplets sitting on top the grass leaves can also act as mini magnifying glasses, aiding in the burning of the lawn.
Summer lawn care in TX is dependent on proper watering techniques and routine maintenance, making for a healthy and beautiful lawn that can last through the driest days. *Source
How Short To Cut Your Grass In The Summer
When it comes to mowing, during the summer months you’ll want to raise your mower blade. Why? Taller grass tends to have deeper roots, which allows plants to more easily access nutrients and withstand the demands of drought conditions. In addition, taller grass blades mean more shade, which discourages the growth of weeds, which compete with your turf for valuable moisture and food.
You can mow warm-season grasses—St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda grass and Buffalo grass—to between two and three inches tall during the hottest times of the year. Ryegrass, tall fescue and bluegrass are cool-season grasses and can be mowed to as high as your blade can go, or between three and four inches. Allow leaf clippings to remain on the lawn to help your landscape retain moisture. As with any time of year, avoid mowing more than a third of the grass blade at a time. Also, ensure that your mower blades are sharp, so that you are cutting and not tearing your grass, as this can add extra stress to your plants at an already challenging time of year.
Keep in mind that both mowing and watering needs in residential areas can vary widely, especially in a state as big as Texas. If your lawn is still struggling during the summer months, despite your best efforts, try calling in a lawn care professional to see if there is something else going on with your grass.
Watch For Weeds, Pests And Disease
Some of the damage you see on your lawn during the summer months may be because of pests and disease and not stress related to the heat, and weeds can also appear during this time of year. Grubs may become a bigger problem in the middle of the summer, so you may need to apply an insecticide to affected areas during this time if you notice damage or pest activity. These products usually also help with chinch bugs.
Proper drainage will help prevent summer lawn diseases, so make sure water does not collect in certain parts of your yard. If you are wondering whether damage on your lawn is drought stress or chinch bugs, try hand watering these spots for a few days. If the grass does not recover, bring in a lawn professional to determine whether you need to treat impacted areas for chinch bugs.
If you did not apply a pre-emergent herbicide during the spring, you may need to use a weed control product as grass or broadleaf weeds appear in your yard. The type of treatment is highly dependent on the type of weed you have in your yard, so proper identification is key to a successful outcome. Keep in mind that applying any products during the hottest part of summer can add further stress to your landscape, so hand-pulling weeds may be your best tactic.
If you don’t relish the idea of spending time out in the summer heat on your lawn, you aren’t alone. Many homeowners outsource lawn care to a trusted local provider. Experienced technicians have a deep understanding of local conditions, water requirements, grass types, soil quality and other conditions that can make it harder to keep your landscape healthy during the often unforgiving Texas summers. *Source
Although keeping a lawn maintained during the summer can be exhausting, it's important for the health and beauty of your lawn. it could also keep you from receiving a non-compliance letter from your HOA. Keeping your lawn mowed and edged, and flower beds weeded and in good shape will add curb appeal boosting the value of your home. A beautiful yard can also give you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Plus, you just might be the envy of all your neighbors!
