5 Summer Lawn Care Tips for Seattle, WA

A green, lush lawn is something most people want – especially as summer hits and they hope to host parties, barbecues and outdoor activities with friends and family. It takes time and effort to create that picture-perfect yard, though. In Seattle, you have a couple options for summer lawn care: let it go dormant for the warm summer months or work to keep it thriving. Here are five quick tips for you to follow if you want to keep your thick green grass throughout the season.

1. Water deeply but infrequently

Most warm-season grasses need about an inch of water a week, but more if the weather is unseasonably hot. Water early in the day to reduce the risk of evaporation. When you water, you want to help the lawn both thrive and prepare for when the weather is not quite ideal (high temperatures, drought, and other conditions). To do this, you’ll want to water deeply, but less frequently, to encourage root growth for drought tolerance.

2. Mow regularly at the right height

When mowing, you need to be sure to mow at the correct height. Mowing too much can be detrimental to the health of your lawn. Taller grass is more drought tolerant and grows deeper roots, and it also helps to provide shade to the soil, preventing weed seeds from germinating.

Mow regularly, and only cut one-third of the grass’s height at a time, while trying to keep the grass at about 2 to 3 inches in height. So for example, if your grass is three inches high, only cut one inch off, keeping it at two inches.

Before you mow, ensure that the blades are sharp and your mower is set at the right height. Both of these steps will help keep blades from tearing and reducing stress to the grass.

3. Don’t over fertilize

It may seem tempting to add some fertilizer to try to green up your grass. But when you fertilize in the summer heat, you run the risk of burning your lawn. Try not to fertilize during the summer – leave that as a task for the spring or fall.

4. Watch your weeds, insects, and diseases

Summer is a popular season for some common problems may appear. Dandelions and moss may appear despite your best efforts to prepare a healthy, vibrant lawn. In order to combat these pests, applying the correct pesticide may be necessary. Another way you can work to remove these is to hand-pick all the dandelions and other weeds you see.

 5. Hire a lawn care pro

If you want the best possible results, you know you probably can’t do it on your own. That’s why there are professionals out there who dedicate their lives to helping you keep your yard in top shape. When it comes time to do your summer lawn care in Seattle, find a lawn care pro in Seattle who can help you see thick, lush, green grass this summer.

Feature image source: Zillow