Watering

It goes without saying, watering your lawn is an essential part of keeping it lush and green during the hot summer months. But, knowing how and when to water is key. 

Watering your lawn early in the day, before the heat sets in, is ideal. This gives your lawn a chance to absorb the moisture and lock it in before the peak evaporation time occurs. Avoid watering in the evening where possible, this can cause fungus issues in humid environments as well as waterlogging. Be sure to give your lawn a nice long soak, a couple of times a week. This encourages deeper root growth and a stronger more resilient lawn.

If you prefer to use a sprinkler on your lawn, a great option for large spaces, be sure to move the sprinkler before drowning the lawn, avoiding water waste. Don't forget to turn your sprinkler system off on any rainy days as well. 

Fertilising

Giving your lawn a boost of energy with a slow release fertiliser is a great way to keep it healthy and green through summer. Be sure to choose a fertiliser that is low in nitrogen to avoid burning the blades and creating brown patches. Fertilisers that feed the lawn over a few months are ideal for summer, allowing your grass to soak in the nutrients overtime. Consider using a fertiliser enriched with a wetting agent if you find your soil is compact and struggling to absorb moisture. 

Weeding

Get out the weeder regularly. Allowing weeds to pile up increases the spread and before you know it, your lawn will be a lot more weeds and a lot less grass! Regular, consistent weeding will allow your lawn to thrive and looks tidier on a daily basis. Be sure to spread lawn seed on any patches where you've had to remove large amounts of weeds. 

Scarifying and Aerating

If your lawn has a thick layer of built up thatch or you have compact soil, scarifying and aerating may be just what you need. While a thin layer of thatch is benefitial to your lawn, especially in the heat of summer when it acts as an insulator to lock in moisture, a thick layer may prevent water and nutrients from absorbing. Use a scarifying rake to remove thick layers of thatch before fertilising and watering. 

Aerating may be necessary if your lawn struggles with compact soil or generally absorbing moisture. While this isn't a job you need to do regularly, aerating once a year can make a big difference in allowing your lawn to absorb the water and nutrients it needs and encourage growth. This process can be done with a garden fork or with a larger aerator for bigger spaces. 

Mowing

Regular mowing during the coolest part of the day will encourage growth and thickness in your lawn. Avoid mowing in the heat of the day when the grass blades are most vulnerable to burning and damage. 

Keeping your grass a bit longer in summer is ideal, this will provide shade to your lawn and encourage more growth and green through the hot months. Using a mulch setting while you mow is another great way to insulate your lawn and give it a boost of nutrients in the summer months. Just be sure to keep an eye on that layer of thatch and remove when it becomes too thick and begins hindering growth.