Summer is in full swing and it's getting HOT! We're spending more time in the yard, but your lawn may need some TLC. So, let's review a few things to remember this month when maintaining your lawn.
Watering
We're now in the thick of summer and it's H-O-T HOT! From the past month, we have noticed that Gergoria has been experiencing low amounts of rainfall. With low amounts of water and high heat, many grass types are subject to burn in these conditions. This is why it is very important to water the lawn.
How Should My Lawn Be Watered This Month?
During the summer months, increasing watering to 3-4 times a week for 30-minute sessions is recommended. This will help the grass grow during drier months and help the lawn from burring in hot and sunny conditions.
Treating The Lawn
The grass is in its peak growing season but so are the weeds, fungus, and insects! Let's go over a few things to do to keep your lawn healthy this summer.
Fertilization & Weed Control
Treating the lawn is one of the best and easiest ways to help keep your lawn looking nice and staying healthy. By controlling the weeds, you eliminate the risk of weeds spreading and taking over the lawn. Fertilizing will help grow full and stronger grass that can handle the summer weather and prevent funguses from growing.
How Should My Weeds Be Treated This Month?
Throughout July: If you have Bermuda, Zoysia, Centiped, or Fescue grass you will need a slow-release fertilizer to feed the lawn. You'll also need a Post-emergent herbicide to spot spray for any new weeds.
What To Do After Applying Granular Fertilizers:
When using granular fertilizers, be sure to water it in, especially during hot and dry periods. Water will dissolve the pellets and break down the nutrients. When dissolved the fertilizer can reach fether in the ground and feed the grass the nutrients it needs to become full and healthier.
Fungicide Treatment
During the summer months, many lawns in Georgia may experience fungus in the lawn. Due to the hot and humid climate, it creates perfect weather conditions for fungus to grow throughout the lawn. The optimal temperature for fungus to grow is when nightly temperatures reach above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Fugus will damage your grass as well as shrubs and other plants. Having a healthy lawn is the best way to prevent fungi from inhabiting your lawn. If your lawn already has fungus, it's recommended to apply a fungicide treatment for the most effective results. Fungicide treatments get rid of the fungus by killing the micros from the grass blade down to the root systems and allowing for the grass to begin to recover.
How Does Fungus Affect Your Lawn?
The most common effect fungus can have on the lawn is discoloration, typically it can turn the grass brown. Fungus will also thin the grass and in some cases kill or cause permanent damage to your lawn.
How Can You Identify Fungus?
The obvious result of fungus damage is the discoloration in the lawn. Many times the grass will appear brown. However, discoloration can be the result of other issues your lawn may be facing. Other issues you may be experiencing could be any of the following:
Scalping the lawn from mowing
Burring caused by high heat and lack of water
Chemical burn
Insect damage
To know if your lawn has a fungus you will have to look at the grass blades. By doing this you can also identify what kind of fungus you're dealing with. In some cases, you may need an expert to look at the area to assess how it needs to be treated and how to help it recover.
Common Reasons For Fungus Growth:
Poor drainage
Large water intake
Humid climates
Shaded areas
Compacted soil
Thatch build-up
Unestablished grass
How to prevent fungus From Growing In Your Lawn
Aside from treating fungus, the number one way to prevent fungus from growing into your lawn is by maintaining a healthy lawn.
Common ways to maintain a Healthy Lawn:
Mowing the lawn regularly to help drainage and decrease the thatch build-up. Typically you want to have the lawn mowed once a week or every other week depending on the season.
Getting at least one aeration a year to help with compacted soil.
Watering in the mornings helps water drainage and moisture levels during warmer nights.
Fertilizing and controlling weeds to help keep the grass strong and healthy.
Treating weeds and fungus is no easy task. The more you maintain these issues, the easier it will be to treat them. At Total Lawn Care we have formulated a 9-step service with high-quality kid and pet-friendly formulas for a more efficient and safe way to take care of fertilization and weed control. Each step is created to maintain weed-free lawns year-round and fertilize to promote healthy grass. If you're around the Winder Georgia area and have weeds or think you may have a fungus in the lawn, give us a call!
Insect Control
July and August are prime time for bugs. Insects are cold-blooded creatures and can regulate their body temperature in the heat. Insects reach their full strength once temperatures are around 70 degrees, however, once temperatures reach above or well above 70 degrees, they can begin to reproduce at a much higher rate causing infestations.
Damaging Outdoor Insects To Look Out For This Month:
Grubs - These are a form of larva and when left untreated they will begin transforming into beetles. Once they have transformed they will come out from underground and continue eating the grass in your lawn at a much faster rate. Grub and beetles can cause some of the fastest damage to your lawn. It is best to treat these insects before they can lay more eggs for seasons to come. The species of beetles will be determined by the type of larvae they once were. The most common type of larvae is the White Larvae which can transform into June Beetles, Japanese Beetles, Chafers, and Dung Beetles.
Fire Ants - These ants are an invasive species that come in large numbers. Fire ants can eat different plants in your lawn and later invade the home in search of more food. Ants are not as harmful to the lawn as other insects, however, these insects are aggressive and have a painful bite.
Army Worms - These insects are similar to grub however they are more harmful during the larve stage of their life. Eventually, these larvae become months instead of bettles. These worm-like larvae stay true to their name as they travel side by side while eating and destroying the lawn. These insects are ones you will want to get rid of as soon as you notice them.
If you're dealing with pesky insects in the lawn and live around the Winder Georgia area, give us a call and have local professionals take care of the insects for you.
Weekly Mowing
From June through August, it is recommended to mow all grass types once a week while the lawn is in its optimal growth period.
How Should My Lawn Be Mowed This Month?
During peak growing season for all grasses, the lawn should be mowed weekly in order to maintain a nice looking and healthy lawn. Warm-season grasses should be cut at 2- 2 1/2 inches. Cooler season grasses like fescue may need to be cut to a taller height of 2 1/2- 3 inches to help protect the grass from the higher temperatures.
What Are The Benefits Of Cutting My Grass Once A Week In The Summer?
Some people may not know, but warm-season grasses like Bermuda, are only green on the top third of the grass blade. Meaning when you mow it less frequently you may end up with brown sections throughout the lawn. By mowing every week you will be cutting less green grass off your lawn and are able to maintain the grass height easier. Cutting the lawn more frequently will also cause less thatch build-up on the lawn. Cooler season grasses will begin to stress when temperatures reach above 90 degrees. However, with regular mowing the clippings will add nitrogen to the soil and can act like a moderate fertilizer. Mowing weekly helps stimulate better growth in fescue grass.
Trimming Shrubs
Shrubs are not only in your beddings to fill up space. Shrubs add structure and beauty to the landscape. However, it can be easy to forget about them until they become an issue due to their increased size or lack of appearance. Shrubs require more trimming than one cutback a year. By shaping the shrubs throughout the year and especially during optimal growing seasons, they will keep a structured appearance and maintain healthy growth.
How Should My Shrubs Be Cared For This Month?
Shrubs and bushes are perennial woody plants. They are commonly used to decorate landscapes due to their long life span of 10-15 years and require minimal maintenance. Depending on your shrubs it may be more beneficial to have them shaped once every other week or once a month.
Common Shrubs Found In The Home Landscape & How To Care For Them:
Holly Bushes:
Grows 6-12 inches a year.
Can be fertilized once in the spring to help promote growth.
Needs 2 inches of water a week during a drought.
When planting, make sure it is 4 ft away from the house.
They do not like to be transplanted.
Needs one pruning during the fall to early spring
Needs shaped as needed depending on the variety however many types need shaping every 4-6 weeks.
Azaleas:
Grows at least 12 inches a year depending on the variety.
Needs to be planted in full sun or part shade.
Needs pruning in the fall.
Needs shaped as needed.
Needs watered throughout the growing season and a couple of inches of mulch at the base of the plant to keep moisture.
With so many different types of shrubs, it can be difficult to know how each one needs taken care of. If you live around the Winder Georgia area, give us a call and have local professionals take care of your shrubs so you don't have to worry about it.
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