HOW DIFFERENT SEASONS AFFECT YOUR LAWN
Summer Lawn Care Strategies to Keep Grass Green
Spring is the season when your lawn stretches, yawns, and tries to shake off winter’s chill. After months of being buried under frost or snow, the soil starts to warm up, and suddenly little green shoots start pushing through. It’s a nice sight, butit’s also when your lawn needs a bit of help finding its footing again. Winter usually compacts the soil. That means the roots can’t breathe well, kind of like trying to nap with a pillow over your face. This is why aeration in early spring makes such a difference. Tiny holes let oxygen, water, and nutrients reach the roots again. Keep mowing, but don’t scalp it. Grass likes a bit of height, it helps shade the soil and keeps it from drying out too fast.
Summer: The Tough Love Season
By the time summer rolls in, your lawn care has had a few good months of growing. But now it’s got a fight on its hands, harsh sun, dry spells, kids playing, sprinklers running, maybe a few backyard barbecues thrown in for good measure. This is when your grass works overtime just to stay alive. It’s losing water faster than it can take it in. So, instead of watering lightly every day, give it a deep soak two or three times a week. That trains the roots to grow deeper instead of hanging out near the surface. Resist the urge to fertilize during the hottest months. Adding fertilizer when your lawn is stressed is like asking someone to run sprints after a long hike, it does more harm than good. Just focus on water, mowing, and keeping foot traffic light if you can.
Fall: The Comeback Season
Fall is a breath of fresh air for your lawn. The temperatures drop, the sun isn’t as harsh, and your grass starts to recover from all that summer stress. This is when your yard quietly rebuilds its strength before winter. If your grass looks a little thin or patchy, overseed before the first frost. Cooler air and warm soil make it ideal for new growth. Rake up fallen leaves while you’re at it , they might look nice for a few days, but a thick layer traps moisture and blocks sunlight, creating mushy or moldy spots underneath. Keep mowing until growth stops, but leave it slightly taller before winter sets in. That extra bit of length acts like a cozy blanket for the roots.
Winter: The Quiet Season
Winter isn’t about growth; it’s about rest. Your lawn turns brown or dull green, but it’s not dying, it’s hibernating. Beneath the surface, the roots are still alive, waiting for warmth to return. During this time, your main job is to leave it alone. Avoid walking on frozen grass; those crunchy sounds underfoot might feel satisfying, but they actually break the blades.Don’t leave heavy things like furniture or toys just sitting on it all season. When spring comes, you’ll find flat, bare spots where they were. If snow piles up, try not to let it sit too long in one spot. Melting piles can lead to snow mold, which leaves weird gray patches. A light raking when the snow clears usually fixes it. So, what are you waiting for? Call us today!