Summer Watering Tips

How to Care for a Lawn in August

How to Care for a Lawn in August…Fall and winter might be the last things on your mind during the hot days of August, but August is just the right time to begin preparing your lawn for colder months. There is also plenty to do to maintain a healthy lawn during the dog days of summer, and the work you do in August will benefit your lawn into the fall and winter. Spend a little time in the mornings or evenings taking care of your lawn to keep it looking lush and attractive while also avoiding the midday August heat.

Sara Ipatenco shares seven different ways you can do in August to improve your lawn.

Pull weeds when you notice them. A weed here or there won’t damage your lawn, but a large number of weeds will suck the moisture from your grass, which needs adequate water during the hot days of August.
Mow your lawn using the longest blade setting possible. The hot days of August can bake your grass, causing it to turn brown. Mowing the grass longer helps provide shade to the blades and also helps the lawn retain moisture.
Aerate the lawn if it is compacted and water pools rather than soaking in. Rent an aerator from a local home improvement store or hire a lawn company to do it for you. The holes left by the aerator allow more oxygen and moisture to reach the roots of the lawn, preventing the grass from turning brown or dying.
Water your lawn two to four times per week. Use a sprinkler […]

By admin|July 28th, 2016|Summer Watering Tips|0 Comments

5 Tips for Greener Summer Grass

5 Tips for Greener Summer Grass…When temperatures are scorching and the sun appears to be taking its fury out on that once-healthy knoll between your sidewalk and front door, staying “green” can seem an ambitious endeavor. Here are some do-it-yourself lawn care tips from KSL.com

Know how to mow
If you’re ready for healthy, green grass, it’s time to commit to that lawn mower. While you might be tempted to cut the grass super short and stretch out the time between mowing, this won’t give you the green grass you covet. Grass that’s cut super short grows faster — and requires more water and herbicides to remain healthy and green. Not to mention that longer grass grows deeper roots, giving it the strength to remain healthy with less effort. Never cutting more than a third of the grass’s length at a time. Additionally, you should make sure your mowing blades are sharpened at the beginning of the season. Dull blades can rip grass instead of cutting it clean, which can encourage disease and pests.

Don’t mess with wet grass
Sure, your lawn needs to be watered on a regular basis. But when grass is wet, it’s best to leave it alone. Mowing wet grass can compact the soil and suffocate the roots, which in turn can kill the lawn you’re trying to perfect. You should also never let the sun go down on a wet lawn. Grass needs to dry out prior to dew falling, since the constant moisture can cause rot and disease.

Water deeply and infrequently
When temperatures rise, you may be tempted to sprinkle the lawn on a […]

By admin|June 30th, 2015|Summer Watering Tips|0 Comments

5 Tips for a Healthier August Lawn

Wow, it has been an unusual Minnesota summer! We had 11 inches of rain in June; only two days of 90 degree weather and plenty of cool cloudy days. Given our unusual summer, I wanted to pass on to you 5 Tips for a healthier August lawn. Enjoy.

Summer heat can take a toll on turf. If you mow too low, water too much or too little, or ignore early signs of pests, your grass could quickly become lackluster or even die in small or large patches. Keeps your lawn looking its best with these 5 Tips for a Healthier August Lawn.

5 Tips for a Healthier August Lawn

Mow at the right height.
In summer, adjust your mower height to leave grass taller. Taller grass shades soil, which reduces water evaporation, leads to deeper roots and prevents weed seeds from germinating. Time your mowing so you’re never removing more than one-third of the leaf surface at a time.
Sharpen your mower blade.
A dull mower blade tears grass, creating ragged, brown edges that provide an opening for disease organisms. Sharpen your mower blade regularly. The rule of thumb is that a sharp blade lasts for 10 hours of mowing. Consider purchasing a second blade so you’ll always have a sharp blade ready to be used.
Let clippings lie.
If you’re mowing grass at the right height, you can let clippings lie on the lawn. This practice is called grasscycling and saves you time, money and fertilizer.
Fertilizing and Weed Killing
Warm-season turf grows strongly during summer and needs nutrients. Check with your local nursery on which fertilizer works best for your soil in August. If you are experiencing occasional […]

By admin|August 4th, 2014|Summer Watering Tips|0 Comments

Summer Water Conservation

We live in the land of 10,000 lakes. June was the second wettest month in Minnesota history. With over 11 inches of rain during the month, why would we be concerned about fresh water conservation?

Some have suggested that fresh water may become the precious resource that gold and oil have been in the past. While we are enduring record rainfalls and floods, California is in the midst of a three year drought. They produce 30% of our country’s produce. We are already seeing rising produce prices in the grocery stores.

Here are a few Summer water conservation tips from a local business, Lakeville Heating and Cooling on ways to conserve summer watering.

Summer tips for Saving Water Resources

1 inch of water per week on your lawn, either from rain or irrigation is enough water for the lawn.
Avoid watering between 11 am and 4 pm or on windy days to reduce evaporation loss.
Over watering your lawn causes shallow roots, lawn stress and disease.
Build good soil to allow the water to soak into promoting healthy lawn and plant growth.
Mulch around plants to keep soil moist proving nutrients and preventing weeds.

Conclusion

Fresh water is a precious resource. When it is gone, it is gone. By using the above tips to conserve your summer water usage you will save money and in the process protect a precious resource.

By admin|July 26th, 2014|Summer Watering Tips|0 Comments

Summer Watering Tips…Use the following watering habits to maintain a healthy law to overcome stressful periods which can induce summer dormancy.

Avoid light, frequent watering. A more thorough watering helps turf roots to grow more deeply.
Avoid watering too frequently as too much water can lead to disease problems
Check your soil moisture by pushing a screwdriver into the ground. If you meet little resistance, the soil is wet. If it doesn’t push in easily, more water is needed.
Your lawn needs a minimum of 1 ½ inches of water weekly.
Early morning is the best time to water.
If your lawn appears to be stressed or showing signs of summer dormancy, raise your mower height.

Practice these summer watering tips to a healthy lawn. Tips provided by www.weedmanusa.com

By admin|June 5th, 2014|Summer Watering Tips|0 Comments