Most Common Issues with Lawn Care in South Carolina
July 5, 2017
Summer Lawn Car Tips
A healthy lawn doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be cut short. High grass provides numerous benefits towards keeping the soil healthy and productive. Tall blades of grass get more sun during peak hours and use this energy to provide nutrients to the roots, while providing shade to the soil, which promotes higher moisture levels during the summer heat. Avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the blade’s height during a single mowing.
Make sure mower blades are sharp and all lawn care equipment is running properly.
Cut grass clippings should not be considered as waste or put into landfills. Redistributing these clippings across the lawn provides organic material and nutrition to the lawn’s environment.
For the most part, summer is not the best time to fertilize your lawn. If you applied fertilizer around Memorial Day, the next application is not necessary until Labor Day. The fastest way to fill in a bare spot is with blocks of sod, and summer is a great time to lay them. Applying organic compost will also help promote grass expansion.
If you choose sprigs or seeds, be patient. While these are good ways to fill in bare spots, it will have the slowest results.
A healthy lawn is the best way to fight weed infestation, and that’s a year round job. But weeds will appear from time to time in even the healthiest of lawns, so walk your lawn regularly and remove each plant as soon as you see it appear. If weeds start to take over, apply a commercial weed control product and closely follow all instructions on the packaging.
Regular watering is essential to the growth and health of your lawn. Water in early morning so your soil can absorb the moisture before the sun evaporates it. Apply at least one inch of water on a weekly basis. More if weather conditions demand it. Don’t over water. If rain provides the needed amount of moisture, make sure your irrigation system doesn’t run unnecessarily.
Keep your lawn picked up and clear of debris. Items left on your lawn can kill the turf below and promote insect infestation.
If your lawn is looking straggly in midsummer, resist the urge to fertilize. In fact, it’s best to stop fertilizing about 30 days before your area’s summer temperatures arrive. Applying extra fertilizer in the heat of summer can burn your lawn and create a flush of tender growth that will struggle in the hot summer weather. Never fertilize dormant lawns – wait until they green up in the fall.
Ae you looking for help with your landscaping in Florence, SC? Give us a call at (843) 230-1036.
