Helping Your Turf During Dry Weather

Is the lack of rain lately combined with hot temperatures making your grass look dry?

Across Michigan, the lack of significant rainfall has resulted in turfgrass stress, or dry lawns that are turning brown.

According to the Michigan State University Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, “the vast majority of lawns in Michigan are primarily composed of Kentucky bluegrass.” Typically, this type of lawn doesn’t die unless it lacks water for six to eight weeks in combination with high temperatures.

Even if you don’t have an irrigation system or regularly water your lawn, it’s a good idea to give the turf a little water if it hasn’t received any for a month.

Here’s more helpful tips to keep your lawn looking green and healthy during dry weather:

Don’t worry as much about controlling weeds. Just like the grass, many weeds are slowing down their growth and trying to control them now would be difficult.
During hot weather, heat tracks are common, caused from mowers and spreaders. Avoid mowing during the heat of the afternoon to prevent tracks.
Maintain the highest mowing height possible. If the turf doesn’t have any leaves and is cut too short, it can’t use light for photosynthesis and more energy will be spent to produce new leaf tissue.
Maintain your irrigation system. Make sure to watch the heads to be sure everything is working correctly. If a head is broken, gaps in the coverage become obvious when certain sections of the grass dries out.

Keep Your Lawn Healthy Year Round

Maintaining your lawn year round is a great approach that will make a healthier lawn an easier process. Grass will tolerate the heat in the summer more easily if it’s in a healthy state to begin with – throughout the entire year.

Proper fertilization, watering, mowing, and pest control all help to produce a healthy lawn all year long. If that sounds like a hefty chore, hire the professionals! A great fertilizer company in Livingston County and the surrounding communities will help do the heavy lifting of lawn maintenance so you don’t have to worry.

Don’t take it from us, hear from one of our satisfied customers:

“Excellent customer service! The owner is very meticulous and will make sure that things are done right. The employees are very knowledgeable and will let you know exactly what your lawn needs without trying to upsell. They also give you a discount if you pay in advance, which is a bonus. Keep up the good work!”