6 common lawn mistakes not to make in the warm weather
This summer, record-breaking temperatures, heatwaves and droughts have caused a lot of stress and damage to our grass and lawns.
Many gardens up and down the country have become scorched, dry and lifeless. So, here are six of the most common mistakes Brits make when it comes to keeping their grass healthy and green and how to avoid them.
1. Not keeping your lawn healthy all year round
According to Cass Heaphy, Digital Director at Paving Direct, “if you want to protect your grass throughout summer, the work actually begins in winter. Healthy grass, with deep roots, is much more resistant to warm weather due to being able to reserve more water. Therefore, the best way to keep your lawn healthy in the summer heat is to make sure it is well-maintained in winter.”
2. Cutting your grass during the day
Because hot, humid weather can put your grass under a lot of pressure, you should avoid cutting or mowing your lawn during what are the hottest hours of the day. Usually, this tends to be from about midday onwards.
If you have to cut your grass, aim to do so either first thing in the morning or in the evening, once the sun has begun to set, when it should be slightly cooler.
3. Watering at the wrong time of the day
The same can be said about watering your lawn at the wrong time of the day.
To ensure your grass retains enough moisture, watering it is key in hot weather. You should, however, avoid watering your grass when the temperature is at its highest as this will result in the water evaporating. Instead, water deeply early in the morning.
4. Cutting your grass too short in summer
Even though a short, well-cut lawn can look a lot neater and tidier, you actually don't want to be cutting the grass too short in the summer months.
Raising the blades on your lawnmower to the top will help to protect the soil from the sun and therefore lock in more moisture. If you have a fuller lawn, more moisture will be able to penetrate down into the soil, keeping it looking lush and green.
5. Overwatering
“You should avoid watering your lawn too frequently as this will lead to the ground becoming waterlogged, reducing the amount of oxygen that is getting to the roots,” Cass says.
The amount of water that you will need to give your grass will differ depending on the type of soil and even whether the water is soft or hard. But the majority of the time around 2-3cm of water should suffice, once or twice a week. This will help your grass to grow strong roots and prevent it from drying out as much.
6. Not keeping your grass shaded
You may have already noticed that the grass that is hidden underneath garden furniture, for example, tends to stay greener and grow a lot quicker than the rest of the grass in your garden. This is because the shade is giving it some respite from the heat and sun.
Something as simple as moving your table and chairs around the garden should avoid one particular part of your grass from growing more than others.
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