Houston Lawn Care Tips
During the peak heat season, taking care of your lawn is essential to keep it healthy and maintain that lush, deep green appearance we all strive for. Rising temperatures and a lack of rainfall during this time can cause significant damage to your grass if not properly maintained. However, a well-maintained lawn not only adds curb appeal and increases your home’s value but also helps prevent erosion issues on your property.
To help you tackle the challenges of the scorching summer heat and keep your lawn in its best condition, here are some expert tips for maintaining your lawn during the hot season.
Water Wisely
Watering your grass early in the morning is the most effective time to ensure proper hydration. By watering early, the water is less likely to evaporate before being absorbed by the grass. During the early hours, temperatures are at their coolest, and the sun hasn’t fully risen, giving the lawn a better chance to absorb the water.
The benefits of watering in the morning include minimizing evaporation, saving money on your water bill, and ensuring deep root hydration. This process encourages grass roots to grow deeper, leading to stronger, healthier plants. Additionally, watering early helps reduce the growth of fungi and other lawn diseases, keeping your lawn in top condition during the peak heat season.
Mow High
During scorching heat, it’s best to set your lawnmower’s cutting height to around 3 to 3.5 inches. By leaving the grass taller, the blades will provide shade for the soil and roots, preserving moisture. Moreover, taller grass can withstand drought and heat waves better than shorter grass, which tends to dry out quickly and turn brown. This step is important but often overlooked in our list of Houston lawn care tips, make sure not to skip it!
Taller grass offers several benefits, including shading the soil, reducing water loss, and protecting roots. In addition, the deeper roots anchor the soil more effectively, minimizing erosion issues and keeping your lawn healthier overall.
Fertilize Smartly
Applying fertilizers, especially liquid ones, during extreme heat can harm your lawn. When grass grows rapidly due to fertilizer, it increases water demands. However, the heat causes fertilizers to absorb moisture from the grass, leading to wilting, yellowing, or even death.
To avoid these issues, use slow-release fertilizers. These fertilizers gradually break down nitrogen over three to ten weeks, providing consistent nutrients without causing rapid growth. Some benefits of slow-release fertilizers include promoting uniform grass growth, minimizing the risk of diseases, and helping your lawn grow steadily in a more manageable way.
Aerate Your Lawn
Aerating your lawn improves water and nutrient absorption while supporting better root growth. By aerating your lawn once a year, you help it withstand extreme weather conditions like heat waves and droughts.
Aerating also helps decompact the soil, improving air circulation and enhancing the lawn’s resilience. Furthermore, combining aeration with overseeding can enhance your lawn’s beauty by reducing water runoff, increasing heat and drought tolerance, and boosting curb appeal.
Mulch Clippings
Mulching grass clippings instead of bagging them helps retain soil moisture and shields the roots from extreme heat. As the clippings break down, they enrich the soil with nutrients, acting as a natural fertilizer.
Additionally, recycling the clippings back into the lawn reduces the need for nitrogen-based fertilizers, saving you time and money. By leaving clippings on the lawn, you can maintain a consistent lawn color and health, as the clippings return valuable nutrients to the soil.
Avoid Mowing in Extreme Heat
Avoid mowing during the hottest parts of the day, especially in the peak heat of summer in Houston. Mowing during a heat wave stresses the grass, leading to damage, particularly when combined with foot traffic. However, if you must mow, try to do so early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. Among our other tips, this is another one you shouldn’t ignore: avoid mowing during peak summer heat. Not only does this protect your lawn, but it also prevents unnecessary stress on you, the person doing the mowing. Like many of our Houston lawn care tips, this simple adjustment can make a big difference in maintaining both your lawn’s health and your own well-being!
Moreover, minimize cutting the grass too short during hot and dry conditions. Longer grass blades protect the roots from drying out and help maintain hydration.
Additional Lawn Care Tips for Scorching Heat
Water Properly
During the summer heat, your lawn needs more water to maintain its lush appearance. However, avoid watering every day. Instead, water deeply 2 to 3 times per week, allowing the soil to become moist without getting waterlogged. Deep watering encourages root growth, helping your lawn stay healthy during dry spells.
Treating for Grubs
The best time to treat grubs is early summer when they start causing damage. Grubs create large, irregular dead patches on your turf, leading to severe lawn damage. It’s important to apply grub control treatments before you see signs of damage. While preventative maintenance is ideal, sod repair can be a quick solution if the damage has already occurred. Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts, where I’ll be covering lawn repair and sod installation.
Checking the Weather
Staying informed about the weather is essential for Houstonians—especially since we’re no strangers to unpredictable conditions. Following Houston lawn care tips, by keeping an eye on the forecast, you can better prepare your lawn and landscape. If a heat wave is predicted, take proactive steps like mowing early in the morning or late in the evening. Not only will this benefit your lawn, but it’s also easier on you, allowing you to avoid the heat and make the work more enjoyable.
Additionally, remember to water deeply before the intense heat sets in. Avoid unnecessary foot traffic on your turf during these conditions, as grass is more vulnerable. While moderate stress from traffic might not severely damage it, it’s best to minimize walking on the lawn during hot periods to keep your grass healthy.
Treatments by Time
Applying herbicides or fertilizers can be risky if not done correctly. Over-application or under-application of pesticides often leads to inconsistent results. However, a trained professional knows the proper amount to apply, ensuring your lawn stays healthy without risking turf burn. At Evergreen Outdoor Services, we promote natural methods for fertilization and weed control, such as using slow-release fertilizers, aeration, and topdressing. These services create vigorous growth and healthy conditions that naturally choke out weeds.
For those who want a bit more control, manual weed removal can be combined with natural treatments for more thorough results. Over time, these practices will reduce weed issues and promote a healthier lawn.
Furthermore, there are various herbicide options available, such as “selective” and “non-selective” treatments. While we won’t dive too deep into the specifics, selective herbicides target specific weeds without harming your lawn, whereas non-selective herbicides kill all plant life they touch. A specialist can apply these treatments when the temperature is cooler, ensuring the herbicides work more effectively, improving your lawn’s appearance and boosting your home’s curb appeal.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy and vibrant lawn requires sticking to the basics. By following key tips such as watering wisely, mowing high, fertilizing, aerating, and mulching clippings, you can ensure your lawn stays clean, green, and thriving. In no time, you’ll see the positive impact these practices have on your lawn, bringing out that deep green we all love!
If you’re looking for a hassle-free and professional solution for your outdoor space, Evergreen Outdoor Services is here to help. We pride ourselves on delivering top-notch quality and an exceptional service experience. Visit us at Evergreen Outdoor Services to learn more and schedule your service today!
Also, feel free to learn more about our frequently asked questions or check out our ultimate guide to sodding!