Keeping Your Grass Green this Summer in Colorado
- Consistently Remove Leaves, Twigs and Debris. You will need to remove leaves, twigs and debris as they begin to pile up.
- Install New Sod. Sod laid in August or September establish a root system when spring rolls around and can start rooting...
- Fertilize. Fertilizing your lawn in late August or early September will help the...
Full Answer
Why isn't my lawn green?
Improper watering is one of the most common reasons homeowners aren’t getting the lawn they desire. You can water too much, too little, or at the wrong times. But getting it right is the best way to keep your lawn green.
When will the grass be green again in 2020?
September 14, 2020. There’s nothing more satisfying than a uniformly green lawn. No spots, no dead patches, no thinning sections. It’s the goal of every home lawn enthusiast. But summer and early fall can be tough on your grass. Heat, drought, and heavy use can strain your turf, leaving some areas brown or nearly bare.
How to keep soil from getting too sandy?
Aerate your soil once or twice a year to keep it loose and add humus and organic matter to overly clayey or sandy soils. Loamy soil uses water the most efficiently, so amend your soil before the growing season with that in mind. A smart irrigation system can also save water.
How to reduce runoff in lawn?
First, pay attention to your runoff. If you see water puddling or leaving your lawn before you’ve sprayed one-inch over your lawn, pause your watering. Give the soil a few minutes to absorb the water and then resume watering.
What to do with barefoot grass?
One of the joys of growing a luscious green lawn is using it all summer long. Running barefoot across your soft grass is a great feeling. And your turf makes a perfect place for playing, relaxing, or even hosting a party. But one consequence of all the foot traffic can be thin or bare spots where too many feet have trampled. So while you want to enjoy your lawn, be mindful of how much stress you put on it. Give your grass time to recuperate after heavy use. And never park a vehicle or heavy machinery on your lawn.
Why is it important to avoid mowing when the grass is wet?
As the clippings quickly decompose, they return vital moisture and nutrients to the soil. Also, avoid mowing when the lawn is wet. Wet grass clippings can clump, and they won’t decompose as quickly. Clumps of grass clippings can suffocate the grass beneath.
How much water do Americans use to water their lawns?
Americans use nearly more than 4 billion gallons of water each day just to water their lawns. For context, that is four times more water than the entire city of New York. And much of that water never even reaches the plant roots. Instead, it is wasted as runoff, which can also pollute natural waterways.
Plant the Right Grass
There are many different kinds of grass. Cool-season varieties do better in northern latitudes. On the other hand, hot-season grasses flourish in the warmer south.
Water Deeply and Less Often
Watering your lawn is important, but frequent watering won’t necessarily promote the healthiest lawn. If you water your lawn too often, it will never need to grow deep roots in search of low-lying moisture. When it is watered often, grass tends to develop shallow root systems that don’t promote good health when conditions become hot and dry.
Water Earlier in the Day
It’s generally best to water your grass very early in the morning. If you wait too late, any water that doesn’t penetrate the soil will evaporate. At the same time, it’s generally not a great idea to water at night, since this can promote wet conditions that are perfect breeding grounds for fungal infections.
Mow High
It’s important to remember that a lawn is composed of countless tiny plants. If you mow them too short, you will damage or even kill some of them. To keep your lawn green all summer long, never cut it lower than 3 to 3½ inches in height. This will keep the grass healthy and provide more cooling shade for the delicate root system.
Service Your Mower
Whether you use a self-propelled lawnmower, riding mower or cordless electric model, it’s very important to keep it well maintained. Why would a poorly serviced lawnmower negatively impact your lawn? Blunt blades can tear grass instead of cutting it, damaging the plants and leaving them more vulnerable during the summer.
Fertilize
Your grass needs regular feeding to remain green during the harsh summer months. But what you do in the fall can determine grass health during the summer. Most landscaping experts recommend feeding your grass about every six to eight weeks. At bare minimum, you should fertilize once in the fall and once in the spring.
Limit Foot Traffic
When grass is regularly trampled or used for sports, it can quickly turn brown. If you typically play or walk on your lawn, consider limiting this activity during the harsh, dry summer months.
How to keep grass healthy in winter?
Restrict the amount of walking on your lawn to keep the grass healthy. Staying off the grass will give it a better opportunity to grow, especially in winter. Trampling over it in wet and cold conditions will severely reduce its survival rate so your grass should be treated tenderly.
How to get rid of fallen leaves in grass?
1. Rake and get rid of fallen leaves in preparation of seeding. Tree leaves can prevent light from accessing your grass and stop seeds from hitting the soil. Additionally, raking will stir surface soil which is a useful way to support the roots of your grass.
How to make grass grow deeper?
Mow grass at a height that is slightly higher than normal. Raising your mowing height will concurrently give your grass deeper roots. Not only that but it will also insulate it. Don’t leave it too long though because in winter the grass can become matted. About two thirds of your cutting height in opposition of the general half should do the trick.
Why is my grass turning brown?
Putting weight on grass that is already fragile due to winter conditions will turn it brown. Not only that, when spring time comes back around those particular dead spots won’t flourish. The dead grass attained by heavy objects can even cause it to become diseased which will lure in pests such as mice and insects.
Can you use a lawnmower on wet grass?
Using a lawnmower on wet grass will damage the roots and can even kill it.
Can you sprinkle rye seeds over lawn?
However, you can also pick up a bag of winter rye and sprinkle the seeds over your lawn—it will keep your lawn green and fill in any gaps during the colder months, but it will disappear in about 6 months. Thanks! Yes No. Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0.
Is it too late to fertilize grass in the winter?
If you live in a country that snows, it’ll strengthen the condition of your grass when the frost hits. If you don’t fertilize before the winter it will be too late. There are special winter fertilizers that are specifically designed for this exact scenario.
What to do if grass is dormant?
If your grass is already dormant, hold off on applying fertilizer. It’s best to wait to fertilize until more rainfall has occurred and the grass has had a chance to revive.
How to prevent dormancy in grass?
Regular watering in the summer can prevent dormancy and help train your turf to develop deep roots that will endure the heat of summer. For best results, try to water in a way that mimics the pattern of rainfall. This means soaking the grass at infrequent intervals.
What Causes Your Lawn’s Color to Fade?
To understand how to keep your lawn green, it helps to first understand what causes grass to lose its green color in the first place.
What happens if you water your lawn too late?
In addition, if you water too late in the day, you may risk having too much of the water evaporate. Improper Mowing: Mowing the grass too short or waiting too long between mowings can be detrimental to the health of your turf. Mowing too short can scorch the lawn and prevent the roots from developing.
How to ensure your lawn is getting the moisture it needs?
Here are some practices to follow to ensure your lawn is getting the moisture it needs: Soak the Grass During Dry Spells: In summer, the time between rainfalls could last for weeks. During dry periods, the grass will become dormant to conserve energy. It might appear dry and brown or tan in color.
How long does it take for a lawn to get nutrients?
Applying a slow-release fertilizer provides a source of nutrients and helps protect the turf from getting burned. It takes about six to eight weeks for the microbes in the soil to process nutrients. That means it’s important to fertilize your lawn at regular intervals.
Why is my lawn turning brown?
It might be cool and wet in the spring, then hot and dry mere weeks later. These changes can cause the ground to dry out quickly and leads to lawns starting to turn brown. Hot and dry weather combined with other factors will cause your lawn to lose its healthy, green appearance.
