Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn is a process that removes plugs of soil from the lawn. This allows the roots of your lawn to get better airflow and more nutrients from fertilizer. You should aerate your lawn every one to three years. The more foot traffic your lawn gets, the more often you should aerate it. You can even aerate very high-traffic areas more often than once a year.
Feed Your Grass
Choose a fertilizer and fertilizing schedule based on the type of grass you have. If you have warm-season grass, fertilize with nitrogen-rich, slow-release fertilizer in the spring when it first emerges from dormancy. If you have cool-season grasses, fertilize them in spring, before high summer temperatures set in. Fertilize again in the fall, about six weeks before the first frost, using a high-nitrogen fertilizer so your grass can store the nutrients it will need to bounce back in spring.
Water Your Lawn
Grass needs to grow deep roots in order to withstand summer heat. Water your grass about an inch a week during its peak growing season. It’s best to water your lawn all at once, instead of in spurts, so if you do turn on your sprinklers, leave them on until your lawn has gotten its full inch of water.
Establish a Mowing Schedule
Cutting your grass correctly is crucial to its health and vitality. Frequent mowing during the spring strengthens your lawn’s roots, but as the thermometer climbs, your mower deck should go up, too. Leaving your grass longer shades the soil, keeping the roots moist and helping your lawn withstand high temperatures and drought conditions.
With just a little TLC, you can keep your backyard ready for everything you and your family throw at it this summer, and more.
Source: American Home Shield
ERA® and the ERA logo are registered service marks owned by ERA Franchise Systems LLC. Each ERA office is independently owned and operated. Supporter of the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Note: Always use proper safety precautions and consult with qualified professionals when necessary before attempting any home maintenance project. This material may contain suggestions and best practices that you may use at your discretion.
