Summer Lawn Care Tips

The grass is always greener… when you feed, weed, mow and water properly. One of the best ways to cut your overall lawn care time is by putting in an early effort of feeding and weeding, then a consistent effort mowing and watering. And be sure to overseed at the beginning of the season for best results. While putting off lawn care may seem to save you time in the short run, often you'll eventually end up doing more work to repair the damage.

Feeding

Every lawn needs at least 3 good applications of fertilizer a year to grow lush and green. By now, you should have done an early spring feeding and a late spring feeding (early June shouldn't be too late for that second feeding). The last feeding for the season is probably the most important one. You do it in fall to prep your lawn for a good start next spring.

Fertilizers have an NPK rating with 3 numbers. N (nitrogen) promotes lush green growth. P (phosphorus) aids in root development. And K (potassium) helps your lawn resist disease. If moss is a problem, choose a lawn food that adds iron, which also aids in greening.

Use a drop or broadcast spreader to apply fertilizer. Read the package directions as to whether your lawn should be wet before or after applying.

Weeding

There are 2 ways to eliminate weeds from your lawn, depending on your overall care philosophy. One way is with a post-emergent selective broadleaf weed killer. Weeds will be killed, roots and all, with no harmful effects to your lawn. Many lawn foods include a weed killer so you can kill two projects with one application.

The non-chemical way is to remove existing weeds by hand or with a weed-pulling tool. Getting the complete root system is important as weeds can quickly re-grow if root segments are left in the soil. However, if you continue to pull weeds as they appear, even the most persistent ones will become discouraged and die.

After weeding, you'll want to look for bare spots that need reseeding. Follow these steps:

• Loosen the soil in the bare areas, working in some compost and fertilizer.
• Rake smooth.
• Spread grass seeds evenly, and tamp the soil down. Be sure to over-seed surrounding grass for a good color match.
• Apply a light mulch (about ¼" thick) and water gently.
• Keep re-seeded areas free from traffic and moist until growth is established.

Mowing

Here's how to make this effort go more quickly and pay off in a better looking lawn.

• Keep your mower running smoothly. A well-tuned mower starts quickly and is easier to use. Always mow with fresh gas, running your mower out each time. Check the oil and filter regularly, replacing when dirty. Keep the blades sharp (very important) for nice clean cuts, rather than jagged tears which weaken grass.
• Mow regularly. That can mean every 4-7 days at peak growth times. Remember, you'll spend less time overall by mowing regularly, rather than tackling an overgrown lawn.
• Keep your grass "long". Longer grass helps shade soil for greater moisture retention. Set your mower so grass is about 2½"- 3" tall after cutting.
• Alternate mowing patterns. Mowing in the same direction every time compacts the soil and causes excessive wear on grass.
• If you have a mulching mower, use that feature. However, if your mower doesn't mulch, don't leave clipping on your lawn. That can lead to thatch build-up, which cuts off nutrient supplies.

Watering

Smart watering can save you time (hauling hoses, turning sprinklers on and off) and money (lower water bills). Here are a few water-wise tips:

• Water early in the morning. When the air is still and evaporation minimal.
• Water only when your lawn and plants need it. Check the soil and water only when it's dry, rather than on a fixed schedule. Heat, wind and rain all affect watering needs.
• Aerate your lawn. This will increase water penetration and encourage less run-off.
• Water deeply and less frequently , about 1" of water per session. Rather than lightly and frequently. Deep watering encourages deeper root penetration, down to where moisture is retained longer, and encourages stronger, healthier plants. To determine how long it takes a sprinkler to apply 1" of water, set out several empty. Then check frequently until you know how long it takes that sprinkler to deliver 1" of water consistently to all areas covered.
• Install watering systems and timers. Having a sprinkler system for your lawn and a drip irrigation system for garden beds can cut your time spent watering to nearly nothing, especially when the systems are set up with timers. The timers also help control the amount of water delivered, depending on the times you program into them. And with manual overrides, you can stop the systems from watering during rainy times, saving more on your water bill.

Here's to that green, green grass of home...

While much of the information in these tips is applicable in several gardening zones/climates, some of the plants and timing suggested are best suited to the Northwest, generally in the mild/wet growing regions found along the I-5 corridor. You should make appropriate adjustments or consult local gardening experts in regions whose climates differ from this area of the Northwest.