- 1. Choose the Best Grass Type<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Keep a Good Watering Routine<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Mow the Right Way<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Treat Lawn Diseases<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Avoid Foot Traffic<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Keep Weeds Under Control<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Get Rid of Pests<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Overseed<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Fertilize<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Choose the Best Grass Type<\/h2>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Tall Fescue<\/a>
Aaron J. Patton, Ph.D. \/ Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Purdue University<\/figcaption><\/figure>Good lawn care starts by choosing the best grass type for your region. The best grass types for Cleveland<\/a> lawns are cool-season grasses. <\/p>
Contrary to what the name may lead you to believe, they weren\u2019t popular in high school. These grasses are called cool-season<\/a> because of their growing habits: They thrive in low temperatures and reach their peak growth rate during fall. This means that during summer, they enter their dormancy stage.<\/p>
The most popular grass types for Cleveland are:<\/p>
- Kentucky bluegrass:<\/strong> This grass type has dense and bluish-green foliage, but low shade tolerance. It is considered a high-maintenance turf.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Perennial ryegrass: <\/strong>If you want a quick-establishing lawn, this is the one. It also has very good foot traffic tolerance, perfect for homes with kids and pets. <\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>
- Tall fescue: <\/strong>A good alternative to Kentucky bluegrass if you are looking for more drought resistance and fewer maintenance requirements.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Fine fescue:<\/strong> If your lawn area gets a lot of shade, a fine fescue species might adapt well to your lawn. It also has low irrigation needs, but a higher sensitivity to foot traffic.<\/li> <\/ul>
2. Keep a Good Watering Routine<\/h2>
Something as basic as watering properly is crucial to maintaining your lawn during summer. Overwatering can cause fungi and diseases, whereas not watering enough might lead to stress. <\/p>
Lawns in Cleveland are composed of cool-season grasses. This means that while you are enjoying the Ohio summertime, they are taking a nap. They have entered their dormant stage to conserve much-needed energy. However, dormancy is optional. You can keep cool-season grasses green and growing by watering weekly.<\/p>
Follow these watering tips for a healthy, well-watered lawn:<\/p>
- Water deeply and infrequently:<\/strong> Cool-season grasses need around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Watering deeply will encourage the grass roots to grow deeper and help the grass become more drought-resistant. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Water in the morning:<\/strong> Irrigate between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. to give the grass enough time to absorb the water before the sun gets too hot. Watering in the evening, with the humid weather and extended wet period, makes your grass vulnerable to fungi and disease.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Avoid overwatering:<\/strong> This can cause shallow roots and an increased risk of disease. To avoid this, water only at the first signs of wilt \u2014 a gray-blue hue or color, folding leaves, and footprints that stay visible on the ground.<\/li> <\/ul>
Pro tip: <\/strong>Check that the soil is sufficiently watered. You can use a trowel to see if the soil is wet to a 6-inch depth. You can also measure your sprinkler output by doing a sprinkler audit<\/a>. Simply place cups across the lawn until they fill to a depth of 1 inch. <\/p>
3. Mow the Right Way<\/h2>
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-one-third-rule-illustration-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> You wouldn\u2019t think that mowing the right way<\/a> was a big issue, but mowing the wrong way (cutting the grass too short or mowing too frequently) can cause your lawn to become scorched. This is especially harmful when lawns are dormant, and therefore, can\u2019t recover properly from damage. Here are some tips to ensure you\u2019re mowing properly:<\/p>
- Mow at the right time:<\/strong> Either mid-morning or late afternoon is the best time to mow<\/a> your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Follow the one-third rule:<\/strong> Never cut more than one-third of the grass at once. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Keep the mower blades sharp: <\/strong>Mowing with a dull blade will tear the grass leaf, making it vulnerable to diseases.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow less frequently:<\/strong> Because their growth rate is impaired in the summer, cool-season grasses should be mowed every 7-10 days during this season. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow at the right height:<\/strong> Follow your grass type’s recommended mowing height to avoid scalping <\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow at the right height:<\/strong> Follow your grass type’s recommended mowing height to avoid scalping <\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow less frequently:<\/strong> Because their growth rate is impaired in the summer, cool-season grasses should be mowed every 7-10 days during this season. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Keep the mower blades sharp: <\/strong>Mowing with a dull blade will tear the grass leaf, making it vulnerable to diseases.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Follow the one-third rule:<\/strong> Never cut more than one-third of the grass at once. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Mow at the right time:<\/strong> Either mid-morning or late afternoon is the best time to mow<\/a> your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Avoid overwatering:<\/strong> This can cause shallow roots and an increased risk of disease. To avoid this, water only at the first signs of wilt \u2014 a gray-blue hue or color, folding leaves, and footprints that stay visible on the ground.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Water in the morning:<\/strong> Irrigate between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. to give the grass enough time to absorb the water before the sun gets too hot. Watering in the evening, with the humid weather and extended wet period, makes your grass vulnerable to fungi and disease.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Water deeply and infrequently:<\/strong> Cool-season grasses need around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Watering deeply will encourage the grass roots to grow deeper and help the grass become more drought-resistant. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Fine fescue:<\/strong> If your lawn area gets a lot of shade, a fine fescue species might adapt well to your lawn. It also has low irrigation needs, but a higher sensitivity to foot traffic.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Tall fescue: <\/strong>A good alternative to Kentucky bluegrass if you are looking for more drought resistance and fewer maintenance requirements.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Perennial ryegrass: <\/strong>If you want a quick-establishing lawn, this is the one. It also has very good foot traffic tolerance, perfect for homes with kids and pets. <\/strong><\/li> <\/ul>
- 2. Keep a Good Watering Routine<\/a><\/li>
![\"Brown](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Brown_Patch.jpg\")
![\"closeup](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/thistle-646x485.jpg\")
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/rsz_shutterstock_136965278.jpg\")
![\"Fertilizer](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/fertilize-grass.jpg\")