Summer Lawn Care
Summer is the height of the growing season for our Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo, TifTuf, Sir Grange, and Eureka Premium VG lawn varieties. It can, however, also be a very stressful time for your lawn if there are periods of extreme heat.
Doing the right things in summer can make a big difference to how your lawn fares through summer and on into autumn and winter.
Water.
For established lawns, watering less frequently with deeper soakings will train the root system to become more drought tolerant. During dry conditions in Melbourne, we recommend weekly or fortnightly soakings. It is important, however, to keep an eye on rainfall. Summer storms in Victoria can deliver heavy rainfall, so watering may not be necessary at these times.
To make the most of your watering, we recommend adding wetting agents to your lawn. Wetting agents not only help your lawn retain the water it receives, but also prevents the soil from becoming hydrophobic. We recommend the Lawn Solutions Rescue wetting agent.
Fertilise.
It is important to supply your lawn with nutrients to support growth and maintain health. We recommend applying slow-release lawn fertiliser about every 10 weeks. We recommend Lawn Solutions Fertiliser.
Mow.
Hopefully you got your mower maintenance taken care of in spring. But if you didn’t, now is the time! As you head into summer it’s more important than ever to have a reliable mower, as you’ll use it more regularly than in autumn or winter.
Maintenance generally involves getting those mower blades nice and sharp, and changing the oil. If you’re not sure how to maintain your mower, have a chat to your local mower store.
Sharp mower blades give a better look after mowing, and are better for your lawn’s health. As with any blade, the sharper the edge the cleaner the cut, and clean cutting reduces the chance of disease and browning.
We also recommend mowing on a higher setting during the hottest months of the year, because it helps your lawn cope better with dryness and stress – and saves on water.
Weed.
Keep an eye out for weeds during summer, just as you should have done during spring. Most cooler-climate weeds won’t rear their ugly heads right now, but summer weeds such as broadleaf can still be very active. Hand weeding is often the easiest solution, but if you have stubborn weeds and want to apply a selective herbicide, ensure you check the label.
For more information about summer maintenance of your lawn or any other lawn questions, contact our friendly staff on (03) 9730 1128 or email contact@lilydaleinstantlawn.com.au.