Four top tips to have the perfect lawn this summer - and they need to be done now
It might not be full Summer here in the UK just yet, but that's exactly why now is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for the soaring temperatures to come.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardening pro or a newbie, the experts at iCANLAWN have released their top tips on how to ensure your grass will not only endure the rising summer heat, but will flourish out the other side.
The Bounce Back Test
Use the Bounce Back test in the coming weeks to make sure your grass is getting the water that it needs ahead of rising temperatures.
Timothy Greene, a grass expert at iCANLAWN, explains: “The Bounce Back Test is a good indicator of when your lawn needs a good drink. All you do is stand on the grass, and if it stays flat, it needs watering. If it bounces back then it’s probably okay.
“You should aim to water the lawn deeply between 10-14 days apart ensuring all areas receive an inch of water. This intermittent watering helps the lawn to build resilience and create a thirst for the water.”
Water your lawn when the sun is down
Watering your lawn early in the morning before the sun is out and late at night is an absolute must during the warmer months.
“Water your lawn in the early morning, preferably between 4am and 10am to reduce evaporation and allow the grass to dry before evening,” says Timothy.
“This will help to minimise the risk of fungal diseases.”
Mow now, or forever hold your peace
Mowing your lawn during a heatwave is not recommended so making sure you time your mows before the temperatures really rise is key.
“It’s best to give mowing a rest until the hot weather passes,” says Timothy.
“Making sure your mowing is kept on top of in the coming weeks will help you to keep the hands off the mower when it’s too hot. However if you simply can’t resist, make sure to mow on the highest setting of your lawnmower.
“Longer grass blades create a shadow that helps to keep the moisture in your soil, whilst mowing too short can stress your grass and cause it to become straw like.
“If it’s really hot, you can also leave the grass clippings on the lawn. They act as mulch, helping retain moisture and returning nutrients to the soil.”
Get your feeds in
When temperatures are high, fertilising your lawn will have to take a back seat for a few weeks until temperatures cool down again, so it’s worth making sure your lawn is well fed in the run up.
“Fertilisers often contain chemicals and need to be watered in to start them working on your lawn. In dry warm weather this may mean they require lots of watering to get them to break down and may increase the risk of fertiliser burn,” Timothy explains.
“I would suggest getting your feeds in way before a heatwave is on the horizon and waiting for the temperature to cool down before going in again.”
