Summer Lawn Care Tips for Homeowners in Columbus, OH

In Columbus, OH residents are lucky to experience all four seasons in vibrant glory throughout the year. However, the drastic changes and unpredictable nature of this region’s climate can make it difficult to maintain a thriving, beautiful lawn. Here is a summer lawn care guide filled with simple tips to ensure that your lawn is the most gorgeous, healthy one on the block in Columbus.

1. Don’t put off everything until fall

While you may think of raking fallen leaves as a task that is innately “autumn,” you should do your best to keep up with your raking throughout the summer months as well. Once a week, quickly rake any dropped leaves. This will help prevent leaves from building up on your lawn and causing bald patches, and will also eliminate the growth of pests and fungi that can occur beneath large clumps of leaves.

2. Mow once a week

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Don’t cut your grass more than a third of its height at a time. Many people mistakenly believe that cutting their lawn short will prevent them from having to mow as often. Unfortunately, it’s not the thickness but instead the frequency with which you mow that will affect the appearance of or lawn. Mowing your grass too short can result in brown spots and stunt the growth of newly formed blades of grass. Instead, try to mow about once a week when possible.

3. Water properly

Water your lawn deeply, but infrequently. In most cases, your lawn needs about an inch to an inch and a half of water every week, either from irrigation or from direct rainfall. You can check the moisture level of your soil by probing it with a screwdriver. Keep in mind that different species of grass will require different amounts of water. For example, tall fescue, which has deep roots, requires very little water, as do warm-season grasses that are adapted to drought-like conditions.

For more information, check out our article: “Lawn Watering Tips for Columbus, OH Homeowners.”

4. Treat for grubs and other pests

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Contact your local cooperative extension office to find out what kinds of pests are common in your locale, and then put down grub control when these pests are at their peak. You will also want to make sure you are inspecting your lawn regularly for issues such as brown spots, tunnels, and damaged blades, all of which can indicate the presence of a wide variety of pests.

5. Keep it neat and tidy

Caring for your lawn isn’t just about making sure you mow it every once and awhile. Make sure you pick up any lawn ornaments, toys, and tools–don’t leave them lying around on the grass. While this reduces the overall appearance of your lawn, it can also kill the grass beneath. Similarly, be sure to clean up after your pet. Dog urine can kill grass, so, if possible, train the pup to always go in the same spot to avoid damaging your lawn.

6. Reduce traffic

While it’s unlikely that you’ll want to eliminate any foot traffic from your lawn, after all, isn’t the whole point of growing a luscious lawn to enjoy it?–make sure you never drive or park on the lawn. The heavy weight of a vehicle can lead to serious soil compaction, which can cause grass to wither and die. In times of extreme drought, you  may also want to consider limiting foot traffic whenever possible.

7. Care for your equipment

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Store your lawn mower undercover, and make sure you are regularly adding oil and performing other maintenance tasks. Sharpen the blade regularly, as a dull mower can tear grass and create jagged edges. These edges are vulnerable to disease and fungi, just as you might be when you cut yourself.

8. Have a plan for your clippings

While some people prefer to remove their grass clippings and dispose of them via a pick-up service or in a compost pile, you don’t need to stress out about leaving grass clippings lying on your lawn. Grass clippings won’t accumulate fungi and bacterial growth like piles of leaves will, and they can help fertilize your lawn in the process of decomposition–an obvious win for everybody.

Need help with your summer lawn care? Visit our Columbus lawn care page for more information!

Main Photo Credit: Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens / Dan Keck / Flickr / CC0 1.0