From Cool and WET to Hot and Dry

Extreme fluctuations in moisture and temperature put stress on lawns.  We are beginning to see the signs of dry temperatures combined with a lack of moisture as we head from a rainy spring into the hot and dry of summer.

We want to share a few watering and mowing tips based on our experience and Purdue Turf Management guidelines to keep your lawn in good condition.

Watering In Dry Conditions:

• The prime time of day to water your lawn is from 5-8 a.m. The next best time is from 6-8 p.m. During the daytime, more water is lost to evaporation.  Water pressure can also be lower.  Avoid watering late evening and through the night, as moisture left on plants promotes fungal growth.
• Try to target 1 to 1½ inches of water per week. Generally, less frequent and deeper waterings throughout the week are ideal.
• Watering practices will need to be adjusted based on changes in weather and lawn conditions. If you have irrigation, be careful not to lock in the same set schedule for the summer – adjust as conditions vary.

Mowing During the Summer:

• Avoid mowing during the heat of the day (especially when the temperature is above 90 degrees). Early mornings and evenings are the best times to mow.
• Mowing frequency depends on how fast the grass grows. Some lawns may only need to be mowed once every 2 weeks during the summer.
• In our previous blog post, we discussed mowing height for different types of grasses. In the summer, it’s best to remain at the upper height of those ranges. Longer grass protects surface moisture and helps maintain the root depth of the grass.

For more in-depth mowing tips or watering advice, visit Purdue Turf Management.  If you have any questions about how to further help your lawn stay healthy this summer, call us at 260-489-2500, contact us via our website at crownandblade.com, or simply reply to this post.