In the Arizona summer heat, your lawn needs a little extra TLC. A landscaper can help you maintain your lawn and keep it healthy. Here are some tips we recommend for keeping your lawn green and lush all summer long.
Watering Your Lawn
The key to watering your lawn during the summer is to water deeply but not so much that your lawn is soggy. Watering once every three days should be adequate, with enough water to penetrate eight to 10 inches deep. Watering your lawn early in the morning is best so that the moisture does not evaporate too quickly. If your lawn does not spring back after being stepped on, this is a sign of underwatering. On the other hand, if your soil is extremely soft and mushy, you could be overwatering your lawn.
Mowing Your Lawn
Mowing your grass too short can cause you to water more and discourages deep root growth. Grass should be mowed to no less than three-quarters of an inch and no higher than two inches; mow every five to seven days to maintain your lawn. You’ll usually see leftover grass stems and roots after mowing called thatch. If the thatch layer on your lawn is thicker than a half inch, you will want to rent a dethatcher to remove this layer. This should be done mid-May to June when your grass grows the fastest. After dethatching, rake the excess material and then mow.
Fertilizing Your Lawn
Aerating and fertilizing your lawn regularly will help to stimulate growth. Aerating will help to relieve hard, compacted areas that cause puddling and inhibit root growth. Using a core aerator, the best time to aerate is May or June when the nighttime temperatures are still lower. Fertilizer should be applied monthly during the summer with a slow-release fertilizer containing iron to give your lawn good growth and color.
Complete Landscaping can help with your lawn maintenance needs. Find out about all our landscaping services in Tucson by calling (520) 323-8918.