Mow taller - 3 inch height at the very least. How you mow has more impact on the lawn than any other maintenance activity. Taller grass tends to develop a better root system, does a better job of retaining water, and weathers the heat better.
Watering - Early morning watering is a good idea but more so in the heat of summer. Watering during the day will lead to more evaporation loss and moisture from watering in the evening (especially when it is humid) leaves turf more susceptible to fungus & disease.
Fertilizing - Dry weather, extreme heat, and too much fertilizer are a bad combination and can burn up your lawn.A small dose of quick release nitrogen is a good idea If the lawn is watered regularly or rain is expected in the next day or so. This should be applied at about 1/4 or 1/3 the recommended rate on the label. This is an inexpensive way to green up a lawn in 2 to 3 days. The downside is that this will only last for 2 or 3 weeks.
Seeding, Aerating, Thatch control - are all beneficial to turf but should be done later in the year. Seed needs lower temperatures & more water and is difficult to get started in the heat of summer. Aeration and thatch removal should be done when turf is not already stressed by the weather. Optimal time for these activities is mid/late August to early/mid November depending on weather conditions.
Watering - Early morning watering is a good idea but more so in the heat of summer. Watering during the day will lead to more evaporation loss and moisture from watering in the evening (especially when it is humid) leaves turf more susceptible to fungus & disease.
Fertilizing - Dry weather, extreme heat, and too much fertilizer are a bad combination and can burn up your lawn.A small dose of quick release nitrogen is a good idea If the lawn is watered regularly or rain is expected in the next day or so. This should be applied at about 1/4 or 1/3 the recommended rate on the label. This is an inexpensive way to green up a lawn in 2 to 3 days. The downside is that this will only last for 2 or 3 weeks.
Seeding, Aerating, Thatch control - are all beneficial to turf but should be done later in the year. Seed needs lower temperatures & more water and is difficult to get started in the heat of summer. Aeration and thatch removal should be done when turf is not already stressed by the weather. Optimal time for these activities is mid/late August to early/mid November depending on weather conditions.
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