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Of late most people are wild about their lawns.

It is now summer time and most people are worried about the heat and this is the time when flowers bloom.

For you to enjoy a good beautiful home with nice flower pots displayed, colourful curtains not forgetting the garden chairs.

But there is the lawn factor.

How then do you keep your lawn green this summer?

Lawn maintenance is one of the most common services landscaping contractors provide or you can just have to do it for yourself.

Reviving a brown lawn is one of the most commonly requested services landscaping contractors receive. Unfortunately, if your lawn is already looking like coconut matting, there is not much you can do to bring the green back before fall.

It is also a well known fact that lawns contribute to home security as well, providing high visibility zones that deter potential intruders and open green spaces that serve as a firebreak to reduce fire hazards.

Here are some of the (Do-It-Yourself) tips that can keep their lawns green by practicing the following techniques:

Mow high

Put your lawn mower on a high setting, to leave the grass around 15 cm high. Taller blades provide more shade for your lawn’s root system, which keeps it cooler during hot summer days.

Additionally, the taller the blades of grass the best result in deeper, stronger roots.

Deep, regular watering

Every living thing needs water to survive and your lawn grass is no different. During the summer months, weeks can go by without rainfall.

The lawn plant begins to feel stressed and will go into an automatic shutdown mode to conserve energy.

This is called dormancy.

Your lawn will appear brown or tan and may even be dry to touch.

This is okay. It is a built-in defence mechanism to protect the plant against drought. It will most likely recover with cooler temperatures in early fall.

However, you can supplement the lack of rainfall by watering. If done properly, watering will prevent the plant from going dormant in summer.

The best and most healthy way of watering is to mimic the natural patterns of rainfall.

Tip: Deep, infrequent soakings are better for your turf plant than watering every day. Watering 3-4 days a week with good soaking will encourage the turf plant to grow deep healthy roots, creating a greener plant.

Rather than shallow watering every day, water your lawn deeply once or twice a week. 10 centimetres of water a week will keep your lawn green.

Most home irrigation systems can be pre-programmed to take care of the watering for you.

Water early in the day. Some prefer to do during 5am in the morning while others prefer to do 5pm.

You can program your irrigation systems to water early in the morning, so your lawn will have enough time to dry out during the day, thereby preventing fungal diseases.

Mower maintenance

During summer months, the lawn still requires a food source to keep healthy levels of growth. Applying a slow-release fertiliser gives the plant a nutrient source while safeguarding against product burn from summer heat.

This is also the time where insects and lawn disease become present. If you have splotches or brown spots that do not go away with proper watering, there may be an insect-disease problem.

Many insects are active during the hot and dry months. If you have any concerns, a technician with Best Greening Services can help diagnose and treat the problem area.

– A poorly maintained mower will only harm your turf.

Good mower maintenance includes sharpening the blades and changing the oil, filter and spark plugs.

Dull mower blades will tear not cut your lawn, leaving brown tips on the grass blades.

These are services landscaping contractors may be able to provide.

Do not forget to apply fertiliser. The general rule of thumb landscaping contractors recommend is to fertilize your lawn every six weeks.

However, you may find that this causes your lawn to grow too quickly, when using traditional fertilisers.

A lower nitrogen content fertiliser between 10 and 14 will keep your lawn green while eliminating the fast growth. Using a mulching mower also helps to naturally fertilise the lawn by recycling the nutrients in the grass clippings back into the soil.

Be sure you apply the fertiliser evenly and judiciously. Too much fertiliser can turn the turf brown.

Traffic

Wear and tear from traffic can take a toll on your lawn. Animals, workers, kids, or vehicles can damage the structure of the turf plant, turning it brown and eventually wearing it to bare dirt.

Be aware of any areas that appear to be getting worn from traffic and avoid until the area recovers.