The summer season is when homeowners most desire to have well-manicured, plush, green lawns—the perfect backdrops for summer barbecues, garden parties, and kids’ outdoor playtimes. At the same time, summer is when it is toughest to keep the lawn well-preserved, especially in areas that tend to get hit hard by either drought or deluge. As such, homeowners should make sure to follow the best practices for summer lawn care maintenance. HOA board members, share the following five tips with your residents, and encourage everyone in the community to preserve their plush, green lawns in the hot months to come!
- Watering, of course, is the big concern during the summer months—but how much water is enough? The general rule of thumb is that your lawn needs one full inch of water a week, at the very least. However, this should be taken as a minimum figure, and if the temperature is in the triple digits, you need to give it some more!
- Also, water strategically. The early morning hours are best, especially if you are using a sprinkler system. This ensures that the water does not evaporate during the hot midday hours, and that you do not have fungus sprouting overnight.
- During the summer months, avoid fertilizing; this is a spring activity, but once the weather drops, using fertilizer can actually burn and discolor your lawn. Moreover, any new plant life you grow during the summer months is going to have a hard time surviving in all the heat.
- Summer is the best time to engage in weeding—before your weeds reproduce and lay the foundations for an even weedier next year. Pull the weeds by hand if you can, because it puts less stress on your lawn.
- Finally, remember that grubs start to hatch during the summer months. If you’re having severe bug problems, use a grub removal product around July or so.
Remember these tips, and ensure that your summer lawn care season goes smoothly!
