The summertime can be a challenging time for homeowners to keep their lawns green. As the days grow hotter, it is crucial to take steps to keep your grounds looking fabulous. Here are five easy and inexpensive ways that will help you maintain your beautiful lawn during the hottest season of the year.

1. Mow at the Right Height

Your mower blade setting plays a significant role in the upkeep of your lawn. If the blade gets set too low, it can scalp the ground, leaving patches of exposed soil. The edges will pull up grass instead of cutting it off its roots if it’s too high. 

A good rule is to set your blade height between 3.5 inches for a healthy turfgrass and 4 inches if you have pets that play on the lawn.

2. Water When Needed

Like everything, lawns need enough water to grow. It's important not to let the grass go too long without water. Healthy lawns need about an inch of water a week to thrive. If mother nature isn't cooperating by providing rain, homeowners should water at least two days apart in the early morning or dusk.

An excellent way to test if your lawn needs watering is by feeling it with your hands or checking the turf for dry spots, brown patches, wilted plants, and other indicators. 

3. Treat for Lawn Pests

Lawn pests like grubs, moles, and ticks can cause significant damage to any lawn. Treating your property for pests helps to eradicate these critters from wreaking further havoc on your lawn. Getting rid of these pests creates a safer outdoor environment for children and pets playing outdoors. 

Moles feast on earthworms that keep the soil fertile. Molehills are eyesores and leave unsightly brown patches on your lawn. Because they burrow underneath the ground, they create an uneven surface that's unstable to walk on. Ticks feed on pets and humans and can pass life-altering diseases, such as Lyme Disease.

4. Don't Over Fertilizer

When caring for your lawn, there can be too much of a good thing. Applying too much fertilizer can have the opposite effect, causing damage or even killing your lawn.

Always read the instructions and use lawn chemicals sparingly. By doing so, you avoid the risk of excess fertilizer running off into your local watershed or nearby bodies of water, harming plants, fish, humans, and other living organisms that rely on these waters for sustenance.

5. Your Lawn Is Not a Parking Lot

Undoubtedly, summer is the hot season for parties, events, and get-togethers. If entertaining guests for a graduation party, informal wedding, or another special occasion, avoid the urge to use your lawn as a parking area. 

Not only do heavy vehicles smash down the grass if the cars on the lawn have engine or oil leaks, but the automotive fluids could also prove detrimental to the health of your lawn. 

We hope these five summer lawn care tips help you achieve the lushest green lawn this year!

If you want a dark green lawn, anything less than dark green can feel frustrating. Light green or yellow grass feels like a failure. You may feel as if you have tried multiple remedies but have not seen the results you want. Here are a few reasons why your grass may not be the dark green you desire as well as some tips on how to achieve this goal.

Reasons Your Grass Is Not Dark Green

The reasons may not be as simple or as straightforward as you thought. You may have multiple problems affecting your grass simultaneously.

Lack of Water

Lack of water is the number one cause of yellowing grass. Your grass must have water if it is going to thrive.

If you are serious about dark green grass, you need to get your lawn on a watering schedule. It is easy to overestimate the amount of water your lawn is getting from rain. A flash thunderstorm may seem like it's producing a lot of water. However, it may not be enough to soak down to the roots of your grass.

If you don’t make a schedule, you may forget to water your lawn. Remember, your lawn needs between one and two inches of water each week for it to thrive and stay green.

Turf Disease

Turf disease can impact the color of your lawn. If your lawn is yellow-colored or even brown, this may indicate a fungal disease. If you feel that you are dealing with turf disease, contact a lawn professional immediately. A professional will be able to recommend high-quality fungicides to fix the problem.

Grubs and Worms

Grubs and worms are another reason for lackluster grass. When insects first infect your grass, you will notice it go from a dark green to yellow and then brown. Several pests can destroy your lawn.

Multiple treatments can help you prevent damage from starting in the first place. Troubleshooting insect damage is not always easy and is usually left to professionals who can identify the problem and recommend treatment options.

Improper Mowing Technique

Many are surprised to learn that their mowing technique impacts the color of their lawn. Mowing your lawn puts a strain on it and affects its health.

Cutting the grass too short can make your lawn look yellow. Remember, the darkest part of a blade of grass is the top portion. It is exposed to the sun and can produce chlorophyll. If you cut your grass too low, you are cutting off its darkest parts.

Be sure to use sharp blades. Keep your lawnmower well-maintained. Limit grass removal to one-third of the blade at a time. You may need to mow your grass multiple times a week to keep it healthy and looking its best.

Conclusion

Green grass is healthy grass. Give your grass what it needs to grow well. Water it frequently, use the right amount of fertilizer, cut it too short, and protect it from bugs and other critters.