Summer Lawn Care

Really, we should be tending to our garden’s grass at all times of the year through regular feeding, moss-killing and weeding. But even with all the good intentions in the world, sometimes other things take over, or perhaps it can be just too wet or cold to get green-fingered during the winter months. So this summer, let’s focus on our summer lawn care tips to bring your lawn into tip-top shape so you can kick back, relax and really enjoy the good weather.

Mowing Your Lawn in Summer

You’ve probably already started mowing the grass during spring and have gradually been able to bring the lawn down to a good height for summer. If not, you should aim for a height of 10 – 15 mm for fine, ornamental lawns or 25 – 40 mm for more hardwearing, family-friendly lawns.

As the temperature rises with still the odd day of rain, you’ll find your grass growing at a much faster rate. This is due to the perfect growth conditions: heat, light and moisture. As we get further into mid-summer, you’ll find yourself having to mow the grass more and more often, potentially once or twice a week.

Be aware not to cut your lawn too short as this will damage the grass, causing it to turn yellow and appear hacked – not really the look we’re going for! At the end of summer, when the weather begins to cool again, you will notice grass growth slowing, too, leading to less mowing.

Feeding Lawns in Summer

Granular fertilisers

With repeated cutting during the summer months, your grass can become nitrogen-deficient. By using a good slow-release spring/summer granular fertiliser, your lawn will get everything it needs to thrive. It will also help prevent weeds and moss from establishing.

Liquid fertilisers

Alternatively, you can use a fast-acting spring/summer fertiliser if your lawn looks like it is in need of a quick dose of nutrients to bring it back to health. Both our Make it Grow and Make it Green liquid fertilisers offer rapid repair and enhance the condition of your grass noticeably in just a few days, and they will continue to feed your grass for 6-8 weeks that follow.

Top Tips for Summer Lawn Care Fertilising:

1. Ensure the soil is moist, or fertilise when rain is expected.
2. Fertilise in the evening or on an overcast day - fertiliser doesn’t like the sun.
3. Don’t apply spring/summer fertiliser after August, as the high levels of nitrogen are not suitable for autumn use.

Overseeding and Caring for Summer Lawns

Perhaps the winter months have been particularly unkind to your lawn and left it looking thin or patchy in places. Overseeding your lawn will repair damaged areas giving you luscious green grass and ultimately bring your lawn back to life. There are a few steps to overseeding set out below, or you can read about it in greater detail here.

• Prep the garden - Weed the lawn, and remove any boulders, stones etc.
• Scarify & Fertilise the soil with a quick-release fertiliser
• Moisten the soil and then sprinkle the seed
• Water & roll the lawn after reseeding

Watering summer lawns

Summer lawn care can include watering if there is a drought. If required, be careful not to flood the grass by watering once a week. In extreme summer heat, 1m squared will need approximately 20 litres of water per week. If drought conditions make the soil very dry and hard, it may require aeration. If left unwatered, the grass will turn yellow or brown.

We have other guides that will help with growing your grass and keeping your lawn in top condition over the spring/summer months:

• How to mow your grass in summer
• Watering your lawn in summer
• How to use lawn fertilisers in summer
• End of summer lawn repair guide

If you have any questions or queries about summer lawn care or looking after your grass this summer, please get in touch; we are always happy to help.