Summers in Virginia Beach bring intense heat, humidity and occasional drought conditions, which can make lawn care a challenge. However, with these summer lawn care strategies from the experts at Sean’s Lawns, you can keep your grass looking lush and green all season long.
Essential Summer Lawn Care Tips for Virginia Beach
To keep your Virginia Beach lawn green this summer, water smart, raise the mowing height, skip the fertilizer, and manage weeds effectively.
Watering
Contrary to popular belief, lawns do not need to be watered every day, but they do need about one inch of water weekly, or 1.5 to 2 inches during a heatwave or drought. The key is to water deeply (3-4 inches into the soil), preferably in the early morning, about 1-2 times per week, ensuring the soil dries out slightly in between to encourage deep root systems.
Mowing
To protect your grass during the summer heat, keep your lawn mower blades sharp, raise the mowing height to 3 inches, and only remove one-third of the grass height each time you mow. Mowing your grass too short can cause additional heat stress, and dull lawn mower blades can damage grass leaving it more susceptible to browning.
Fertilizing
While your instinct might be to feed your grass in the summer, fertilizer should never be applied in the heat. Rather than making your lawn green, fertilizer actually makes your grass less drought-resistant by encouraging leaf growth over root development. The nitrogen in fertilizer can also cause your lawn to “burn up” or turn brown, and the combination of heat, humidity and excessive nutrients can trigger disease outbreaks.
Weeding
Weeds suck up a lot of water and can prevent your lawn from absorbing adequate moisture. Unfortunately, a heatwave isn’t the best time to apply weed killers, since the chemicals can damage the grass. Your best option is to hand-pull weeds after rainfall, when the soil is soft and the roots are easier to remove, so your grass can get the water it needs.
Get Help from the Virginia Beach Lawn Care Experts
Sometimes you can do all the right things, and your lawn still struggles. If the summer heat is taking its toll on your grass, give the experts at Sean’s Lawns a call. We are a local, family-owned and operated business, offering dependable, affordable service and same-day appointments for mowing, leaf cleanup and pet waste removal.
To request a quote or make an appointment for professional summer lawn care services in Virginia Beach, VA, call/text 757-650-1380 or contact us online.