The constant struggle of lawn care is a never-ending battle against the elements. A variety of factors can lead to grass that’s yellow and dying, including lack of water or fertilizer, too much sun, improper installation, and timing.
It often takes years for new grass to grow in after the initial installation. That means that you have to put in the maintenance work now in order to save your lawn from turning into dirt. Here are some tips for how to keep your grass green throughout the summer season.
What is the problem with my lawn?
If your grass is turning yellow and dying, here are some of the most common culprits:
If there’s not enough water or fertilizer to maintain the plant, you could have a situation where the roots are not growing deeply enough. The roots of young grass will put the first stake in the ground and start a slow upward expansion.
In the spring, this requires too little fertilizer to keep the plant flourishing. So once winter temperatures return, it can be a struggle to get a new, green lawn started. Too much sun This is more of an issue for warm-weather gardens, but it can also be a problem for lawns.
The roots must be able to get deep enough to reach the water table. But as the day gets longer, and the sun gets stronger, it can be too hot for the plant to handle.
The Solution to Yellowing and Dying Grass
1. Mow as Much As Possible to Keep the Grass from Burning: Out The grass does not grow green overnight and requires regular care and frequent mowing to remain lush and healthy. Mowing is one of the most important aspects of lawn care because if you miss a day or two, you can end up with a lawn that’s burned out. Remember that there are many fine grasses to mow, including fescue, bermuda, and the like.
2. It’s Always Better to Get It Done in Advance, Even for Lawn Care Beginners Mowing time is a luxury, and a valuable one at that. You don’t want to waste time during the week with extra chores so you can relax on the weekend.
How to Handle Your Grass as a New Homeowner
Don’t use your grass to water your flowers or shrubs, and wait until it rains before watering the yard. When you have new grass, you’ll need to get it established in order to prevent it from dying in the heat of the summer. For this, you’ll need to do some things.
Use an automatic watering system. This should be possible with a system that has water leaving it for a set amount of time. Set a schedule based on how often you water. When watering, cut the grass first and make sure the roots have plenty of room to grow.
If your lawn isn’t watered for days on end, it will not be able to grow much. Pour water into your lawn instead of on top of it. Watering the lawn too frequently can cause the water to evaporate, and your grass won’t get enough water to start growing properly.
When Should I Cut My Grass?
We have heard from many homeowners that they don’t want to cut their grass because it’s too hot out. While the temperature is certainly warm enough, it’s also quite dry out there right now. If you do decide to cut your grass, make sure to take a look at the weather forecast before you head out to the backyard.
You might have to wait a few days for moisture to arrive, which is why it’s best to wait until a few days before you need it. If you absolutely cannot wait, one way to keep your grass green all summer long is to water your yard regularly. Once the weather begins to warm up, you’ll have less of a chore since you won’t have to water as frequently. However, if you water too often, your grass will begin to turn brown and eventually die.
How Often Do I Need to Water My Grass?
A growing season requires an ample amount of water. Rainfall is essential to nourish the grass, but watering too much can lead to sunburn or drown the roots. A reliable watering schedule can be hard to follow for a new lawn.
Since your grass is less dependent on gravity, it’s best to place a hose in a holder near your watering tank. If you’re watering every day, always remember to use a hose nozzle that allows enough water to flow without burning your lawn.
New grass does not have an established root system yet, so watering too much could lead to overwatering and run off. Raking before watering or watering at different times of the day can keep your grass safe from burning. How Much Fertilizer Should I Sprinkle on My Grass?
How much water does my lawn need?
You can’t expect your grass to survive without water. The average lawn requires 5 to 6 inches of water per week. If your lawn isn’t getting enough water, it might look as if it needs more. This is not the case and you can prevent this from happening by mowing your grass a few times a week. You can also fertilize your lawn every two weeks in the summer.
What kinds of fertilizer do I use? Grass usually has two main nutrients: nitrogen and phosphorus. The first factor has to do with the temperature of the soil. Grass grows best in temperatures between 55 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area where it’s not humid, you can skip fertilizing altogether during the summer.
What type of soil do I have and how can it affect my lawn?
“If the soil is hard clay, you need to dig it up, loosen it up, and mix it with a fertilizer of at least 10-15-20-30% a phosphorus and another 20% potassium. You have to dilute it to 4-6-8%. This will allow the grass to grow because it will be well oxygenated,” said Joel Smith, owner of Phenix City’s Better Grounds Landscape & Lawn Care Services.
If your soil is more sandy or sandy-clay, you can use a composter or implement to loosen it up. “We use the Maytag composter. You put in whatever waste you have. You tell us what you have, we take it out of there, and put it into the garden. We mix that with compost and enrich it to get it ready for your lawn. Then you use that back on your lawn,” said Smith.
How does weather affect my grass?
If you want to enjoy the benefits of a green lawn throughout the summer, you can’t have a soggy, dying lawn. The following factors can lead to a dying lawn:
• Rain
• Stagnant water • Lack of fertilizer
• Lack of warm weather
• Sunburn
• Overcrowding your lawn
• Unable to remove grass clippings
• Not enough water or fertilizer
• Exposed to the elements
Tips for Filling In Potholes, Sodding, and Ensuring That My Grass is in Good Shape: 1. If your lawn is turning yellow, there is a good chance that you need to fertilize it more often, if not in the current month. The sooner you apply fertilizer, the better. The correct amount of fertilizer can vary depending on the size of your lawn and the type of fertilizer you use.
Conclusion
All-natural lawn care is essential for maintaining your yard and your grass. By knowing when to mow and how often to mow, you can prevent turning your lawn into the dirt.