Summer Lawn Care in the South

As soon as things begin to warm up in spring, it doesn’t take long for things to really heat up. Summer time in the South is long, hot and dry and this can take a toll on your landscaping.

With some extra care and maintenance, it’s still possible to keep your lawn looking green and beautiful year-round. Here are a few tips to help your lawn withstand the heat this summer.

Mowing
Bermuda and Zoysia are good warm weather turfs and do great in the South. Properly mowing these turfs is a primary concern during the long summer months. Warm season turf should be mowed at a 1-to-2-inch mowing height. Keep in mind that mower blades should be sharpened frequently to achieve a quality cut.

It is important to note that Fescue, a cool-season turf, does not grow much during the summer. Areas with this type of turf will naturally look thin due to the summer heat, and will not require a great deal of maintenance.

Weed Control
The use of post-emergent herbicides to kill those unwanted weeds, such as nutsedge, dallisgrass and crabgrass, will keep your lawn looking beautiful all summer long. Apply these weed control products at the beginning and end of each summer to delay their return.

Aeration of Bermuda
Like in the spring, aeration should be performed on Bermuda lawns again in the summer. Aeration reduces soil compaction commonly caused by foot traffic and mowing, improves the soil’s ability to accept nutrients provided by fertilizer and improves the decomposition of grass clippings and thatch.

Fertilization and Mulching
It’s important to apply a slow-release fertilizer on Bermuda and Zoysia during the summer growing season. The nutrients in the fertilizer will enhance turf color and help it withstand the high temperatures. Freshen up your plant beds by adding pine straw for a more finished look.

Insect and Disease Inspection
The spread of insects and diseases can quickly damage plant foliage. You should routinely inspect plants and turf for signs of insect infestation as well as irregularities in color, which is often a sign of disease. A common disease we come across in the summer is Brown Patch which is often associated with Fescue turf.

Other Garden Tasks
In addition to the tasks above, there are a few regular garden tasks that should be performed each week. These include, watering, trimming and pruning shrubs as needed and the removal of spent blooms from annuals to keep them from blooming throughout the summer months.

Need help protecting your lawn this summer? Request a quote from the experts at Landscape Management Company!