Between backyard BBQs and hanging in the hammock, summer is one of the seasons when you can fully enjoy your yard. You can enjoy it even more if your lawn is lush and healthy and you don’t have to worry about pests or weeds. Use this summer lawn maintenance checklist to help ensure your yard gets the attention it needs so you can get the relaxation you deserve.

Summer Lawn Maintenance Checklist

There are several yard tasks to focus on throughout the summer months. These maintenance chores depend on the type of environment you live in and the kind of grass you have. It also varies if you’ve already done prep work in the spring and previous fall.

1. Watering. It’s no surprise that summer is hot and dry. Some grass and plants are more drought-tolerant than others; therefore, these varieties don’t need a lot of watering. Same goes for well-established plants. If you’ve planted something new in the spring, especially a tree, it’s going to need more water throughout the season to stay hydrated. Make the most of the water by aiming the stream directly at the soil and giving it a long drink. Wetting the leaves for a short period of time won’t do much for root growth and plant health.
2. Mowing. Cool season grass goes into a semi-dormant state and may turn brown. Warm season grass recovers quickly in the heat. No matter what type of grass you have, only trim it if it grows too tall. This could be every other week depending on the type, so forget the schedule and limit the stress.
3. Weed control. Certain plants thrive in the heat and are more than happy to fill the bare spots in your lawn. The best way to battle weeds is to try to keep your lawn healthy and your garden beds mulched. You can crowd weeds out with lush grass and healthy plants. You may need to pull a few stragglers here and there or spot-spray paths and walkways. Any formula you use will work better when applied during the hottest part of the day—the sun helps to quick-dry any liquid and the heat accelerates the burn. But you may have to reapply certain products after any rain.
4. Pest control. It’s hard to enjoy the outdoors with pests constantly bugging you. Make your yard less desirable by limiting the places they can hide. Keep grass and plants trim and clear out weeds and debris. Empty any areas where standing water can collect.

It may seem like a lot of work, but most of it can be prevented with proper maintenance—especially in the spring and fall. You also don’t have to do it all alone. There are lawn care specialists ready to help any time of year.

Professional Landscape Support

While every living thing in your yard and garden has the same basic needs—sunlight, water, nutrients—they all have individual needs. Some prefer more shade, less water, and different nutrients. The key to a healthy lawn and garden is to give each plant what it needs, which means you need to be aware of its special care requirements. Enlist the help of a lawn care specialist who’s already aware of what picky plants want. Contact Cardinal Lawns any time of year to help create a plan to plant what will thrive and how to help it all survive.