Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Lawn Green and Healthy This Summer

Summer is the season when your lawn is on full display, making it essential to keep it looking lush and green. However, maintaining a healthy lawn during the hot summer months can be challenging. Here at Baker's Gas and Welding's Ace Hardware in Monroe, MI, we want to help you achieve a beautiful lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Follow these tips and tricks to ensure your lawn stays vibrant and healthy all summer long.

Watering Your Lawn

When to Water:

• Early Morning: The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning, between 6 and and 10am. Watering during this time reduces evaporation, allowing the soil to absorb moisture effectively. 
• Avoid Evening Watering: Watering in the evning can lead to prolonged moisture on the grass blades which can encourage fungal growth.

How Much to Water

• Deep and Infrequent: Water your lawn deeply but infrequently. Aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. This encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more drought-resistant. 
• Check Moisture Levels: Use a soil moisture meter to ensure the water is penetrating the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches. 

Fertilizing Your Lawn

Choosing the Right Fertilizer:

• Slow-Release Fertilizers: Opt for slow-release fertilizers that provide nutrients over an extended period. This helps avoid nutrient burn and ensures steady growth. 
• Balanced Fertilizers: A balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (e.g., 10-10-10) is ideal for maintaining overall lawn health.

Application Tips:

• Timing: Fertilize your lawn in late spring or early summer. Avoid fertilizing during the peak heat of mid-summer to prevent stress on your grass.
• Proper Application: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application rates and methods. Over-fertilizing can harm your lawn and lead to nutrient runoff. 

Seeding and Overseeding

When to Seed:

• Early Fall or Spring: The best times for seeding are early fall or spring when temperatures are moderate, and the soil retains moisture better.

Choosing the Right Seed:

• Grass Type: Select a grass seed that is well-suited to the climate in Monroe, MI. Common cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, and Perennial Ryegrass perform well in this region. 
• High-Quality Seed: Use high-quality seed to ensure good germination rates and healthy growth.

Overseeding Tips: 

• Thinning Areas: Overseed thinning areas to maintain lawn density and prevent weeds from taking over. 
• Preparation: Rake the lawn to remove debris and thatch before seeding. This helps the seeds make good contact with the soil. 

Mowing Practices

Mowing Height: 

• Higher Cut: Set your mower to a higher setting (3-4 inches). Taller grass shades the soil, reducing evaporation and encouraging deeper roots.
• Sharp Blades: Ensure your mower blades are sharp to make clean cuts, reducing stress on the grass.

Mowing Frequency:

• Regular Mowing: Mow regularly to maintain optimal height, but avoid cutting more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time.

Additional Lawn Care Tips

Aeration:

• Frequency: Aerate your lawn once a year, preferably in the fall. Aeration helps alleviate soil compaction and improves water and nutrient absorption.

Weed Control: 

• Pre-Emergent Herbicides: Apply pre-energent herbicides in early spring to prevent weed seeds from germinating. 
• Manual Removal: Regularly inspect your lawn and manually remove any weeds to prevent them from spreading. 

Pest Management:

• Monitor for Pests: Keep an eye out for signs of pests such as grubs and chinch bugs. Treat infestations promptly with appropriate pesticides or natural remedies.

Reach Out To Baker's Ace Hardware for All Your Lawn Care Needs

Keeping your lawn green and healthy during the summer doesn't have to be a daunting task. By following these tips and tricks, you can enjoy a lush, bibrant lawn all season long. For all your lawn car and home project needs, visit Baker's Gas and Welding's Ace Hardware in Monroe, MI. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find the right products and provide expert advice to keep your lawn looking its best. 

Stop by our store or give us a call today! Happy gardening!