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Lawn Stress Tips & Fixes
Posted on Jul 15th, 2016
How to Reduce Summer Lawn Stress
You think you have stress? What about your lawn? The sun beats down on it. People walk all over it. It's thirsty, and weeds want to take over. Yes, it's rough out there in the yard. But you can take some easy steps to help your lawn cope with the stresses of summer.
Stress Factors for Your LawnHeat, dry weather, and foot traffic are major stresses for most types of grass. Others include weeds and bugs, but they can become worse when your lawn is already suffering.
Keep Your Mower Blade Sharp and HighDull mower blades shred grass, so they lose more moisture than they would with a clean cut. Also, the shredded tips turn brown, making the lawn look dull. Most grass types prefer to be mowed high, so set your blade at one of the highest settings on your mower. Taller grass grows deeper roots, and deeper roots can reach moisture that's further down in the soil.
When Your Lawn Is Stressed Out, Hold Off on FeedingStressed-out lawns aren't growing, so feeding them won't help much. Instead feed before the hot, dry weather arrives. Once the weather cools down and rain returns, feed again to help your lawn recover quicker.
When You Water, Do It in the MorningMorning, between 6AM and 10AM, is the most efficient time to water your lawn. Less water is lost to evaporation and your lawn has time to dry off before nightfall. Watering in the afternoon is throwing water away to evaporation. Watering at night invites disease. Half an inch twice a week or 1 inch a week should keep your lawn refreshed.
When you walk on well-watered grass, the grass blades spring back. On a dry lawn, the grass stays beaten down, and the grass itself can be damaged.
Overseed in the FallIf your lawn is prone to heat stress, you might want to overseed it in the fall with a grass that's been bred to handle heat and drought. For example, Scotts Turf Builder Heat-Tolerant Blue Mix contains Thermal Blue Kentucky Bluegrass, which stays green even in scorching heat and drought, and spreads to fill bare spots.
Causes of Bare Spots in the LawnBare spots in your lawn can be the result of heavy foot traffic (causing soil compaction), drought, disease, chemical burn and weed or insect infestation. Before beginning repairs, you need to determine the source of your problem. This will help you prevent it from continuing.
If insects or disease are the cause, determine the specific cause. Most treatments will need to be applied and allowed to work before you can grow new grass. The treatment product instructions will tell you how long to wait before sowing new seed. Grass Planting Options and MethodsOnce you have addressed the cause of the bare spots, it’s time to repair the damage. In most areas, the best solution is to replant the bare spot with new grass. There are several options:
You can apply grass seed and fertilizer separately. Spread mulch after planting the grass seed to help keep it moist and safe from birds. (Lawn patch products combine grass seed, fertilizer and mulch blends in one bag.)
Where available, sod is an option. Since it is alive, keep it moist until you're able to install it. Make sure the sod makes good contact with the prepared soil bed.
Late spring is the best time to plant and repair bare spots in warm season grasses. Early fall is the best time to repair bare spots in cool season grasses.
Repairing Bare Spots1. Dig up the area to a 6-in. depth, breaking up the clumps. (If the problem was caused by a spilled chemical such as gasoline or an herbicide, remove several inches of surface soil.)
2. Mix in topsoil to improve soil quality and help new sod or grass seed get off to a good start.
3. Rake and tamp to firm and level the surface to the surrounding lawn.
4. Apply the lawn product (whichever method you chose from the list above).
5. Water the area well.
Once you have made the repairs, follow these steps. While you may not be able to prevent bare spots completely, you can keep your lawn as healthy and green as possible.
Changing It UpIf you decide to make a change to drought tolerant plants, please remember that any time you plan to make a change to the exterior of your home or your front yard you need to submit an architectural request to the architectural committee. Please do not start your improvement projects until you receive a written approval letter back from the Association. We appreciate your cooperation with this requirement of the Association.
There is a list of several drought tolerant plants, trees and groundcover to help you get started planning your new water-friendly front yard available on the Homeowner Association Services website (www.hoaservices.net) under the Resources page.
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