With Covid-19 restrictions easing across the country, this summer will be a long-awaited opportunity to relax and spend time with friends and loved ones outside. For renters who have a garden or porch, this means performing summer landscaping to keep your grass looking at its best. This article explores some of the best tips that you can carry out right away to get an amazing-looking lawn.
Water the Lawn Before Noon
There are two things to take note of – when to water, and how much. When it comes to lawn care you water your lawn in the morning for two reasons. Firstly, watering earlier when it is cooler ensures that the water seeps through the soil rather than evaporating. This means that the grass can also absorb it and minimize water loss. Secondly, leaving your lawn wet overnight will increase the risk of mold growth, fungi or other diseases that thrive on moisture.
Ideally, most lawns require about an inch of water per week. On average, this task would take you around 20 minutes to complete. Watering your lawn three times a week ensures that the plants grow deeper root systems, which will help prevent diseases and improve water retention. One way to check that your lawn is receiving enough water is to use the screwdriver test. If a screwdriver can easily be stuck six to eight inches into the soil, you are doing it correctly.
Mow Your Lawn Regularly
Before you start mowing, make sure that you have a balanced and sharp mowing blade so that it does not cause significant damage to the grass. Damaged grass will be more susceptible to disease, require more nutrients and water to recover and may even turn yellow. Next, the cutting height is really important to keep your lawn flourishing. It should be adjusted to the time of year, depending on whether you have a warm or cool-season lawn. Letting it grow too long diminishes curb appeal and mowing too much may results in a stressed and patchy lawn. A good measure is to mow once a week, ensuring that the height of the grass is about one inch.
Trim Plants, Shrubs, and Trees that Hug Your Home
The summer heat may cause some plants to thrive. This means that weeds, vines, bushes and even trees may become overgrown. It is important that all these are pruned and trimmed because they might invite pests or even obstruct outdoor equipment. Also, thunderstorms occur more frequently than usual in the summer, so make sure to also clear anything that may potentially damage the sides of your property. There are many other things you can do for a lawn makeover, such as aerating, fertilizing or even hardscaping. However, if landscaping is not your cup of tea or you are unsure of how to execute it, it is a good time to work with your property manager to discuss summer landscaping and what they can provide. Alternatively, you may directly contact landscaping professionals who provide lawn care services.
