Michigan’s summers can be extremely hot and dry. This weather can cause a lot of damage to your lawn, making it unhealthy and brown. Keeping you grass green through summer isn’t as hard you think. With the proper tips and right care, your lawn can stay green through the worst of the summer months. At Fertilizer Plus, we want to provide you with some pointers on how to keep your grass green and give you the best lawn on the block!

 

Keeping your lawn green can be done by focusing on four things:

• Mowing your lawn properly
• Watering efficiently and effectively
• Having the right fertilizer plan
• Defending against harmful diseases and insects

Let’s take a look at each one of these individually so you can be ready for the hottest days of the year.

 

Mowing Your Lawn Properly

 

Mowing your lawn often and at the right height might be the most important step in keeping a green lawn through summer. Cutting the grass too short can increase the temperature of the ground and burn the grass. Be sure to mow at a height of at least 3-3 ½ inches, the longer the better. If possible, try to avoid mowing in the afternoon when it is the hottest out. Mowing in the mornings or evenings is ideal. The longer you wait in between cuts, the worse it is for your lawn. Mow frequently and try to avoid cutting more than 1/3 of the grass blade off. Mowing properly will ensure that your lawn stays maintained as well as healthy.

 

Watering Efficiently and Effectively

 

The best time of day to water is early in the morning. We recommend watering at 5 a.m. in order to allow your lawn to dry during the day and keep your lawn from being wet at night. If you water in the evening, you give fungus an opportunity to harm your lawn. When watering your lawn, it is better to water a lot only 2-3 times a week, then to water lightly every day. The more prolonged periods of watering, the more opportunity the roots have to grow deep into the soil. Light watering keeps roots near the surface and thus makes your lawn more susceptible to heat and drought. A good rule of thumb is to water 1 inch a week.

 

Having the Right Fertilizer Plan

 

Meet with your fertilizer professional to discuss a proper plan for keeping your lawn healthy. Supplying too much or not enough fertilizer can have damaging side effects for your grass. The best way to know that your lawn is getting the right amount of fertilizer is to have it done by a professional. Slow-release fertilizers give the grass a source of nutrients while regulating how much the grass can take in, preventing burning from the summer heat.

 

Defending Against Harmful Diseases and Insects

 

The summer months can be the worst for lawn diseases and harmful insects. Be prepared by learning about the different types of lawn diseases as well as many of the harmful insects that can wreak havoc on your grass. Many insects are active during the hot and dry summer months. Pets can also cause damaging brown spots in lawns when they urinate on the grass. The high nitrogen content in pet urine can burn grass during hot spells. If you are having a problem identifying what is wrong with your lawn contact FertPlus and we will help you to fix the problem.

 

We hope these tips help you to keep your lawn green through the dog days of summer. Focus on these four recommendations and you will have the best lawn on the block! Remember to contact Fertilizer Plus as soon as possible if you have any questions or need any help with keeping your lawn green. Be sure to comment and share any of your secrets for keeping your lawn healthy and green through these hot Michigan summers!