Even though grass geeks like me link our lawns with grillin’ and chillin’ summer fun, fescue is a cool weather plant and it thrives when it thinks it’s Spring or Fall, so to help get the word out Pennington Seed asked us to share healthy lawn tips we use. Here’s nine easy things you can do to keep your lawn greened-up for the days and months when the sun is high and hot.
And since, according to Pennington, we homeowners consume 30-70% of our water outdoors, some of these tips can help save water and the money it costs.
Drink Up. Water the grass in the mornings and evenings when temps are coolest. This is especially important if you live in an area that were—or are—effected by the massive 2012 drought.
After Hours. Don’t water too often at night (or overnight). The grass stays wet too long, fungus can sometimes occur, and too much water can weaken the root systems.
Water enough. No matter what time of day, if you only water for a few minutes (say 5), this actually wastes water because it doesn’t feed your grass’s roots. It only wets the leaves. I like to water for about 20 minutes to soak the soil and roots. That’s where the water does its work.
Take It Easy. For newly seeded areas, water gently. The key to getting seeds to take root is to keep the ground soft and moist–and for the seeds to stay put. Too much water can push them around and can hinder or prohibit germination.
Plant A Seed. To minimize mud spots and rescue high-traffic areas, use a grass seed that’ll respond. Pennington Smart Seed with Penkote technology improves seedling success.
Hot And Healthy. For the dog days, it can pay off to use drought-resistant seed like Pennington Smart Seed. It requires 30% less water than typical seed. This helps keep your grass healthy in the hottest days of summer when grass growth is at its weakest and save water both in your yard—and collectively when a bajillion people use it.
Mow High. Many people scalp their lawns with their mowers. This weakens the grass and makes it easier for weeds to wiggle in. Set the mower to the highest setting. This makes it tougher for weeds to take hold and allows for deeper root growth and healthier, greener grass.
Smarter, Not Harder. Up to 50% of water used outdoors can be wasted by inefficient watering methods, according to Pennington. For planting beds that can’t be accessed easily by your lawn sprinkler, use a soaker hose. Weave it around the base of the shrubs. Instead of water going to the leaves and dripping down–drying as it goes–100% of the soaker hose water goes straight to the plant.
Get Mulch Mower. Mulch your grass with your mower when possible. It returns nutrients to the soil without binding the grass roots up with thatch, which can happen with side-discharging. And since Pennington’s Smart Seed with MYCO Advantage replenishes beneficial microorganisms that keep grass roots healthy, I want as much of that in my lawn–and not on the sidewalk or in the lawnmower bag–as possible.
