First Aid For a Damaged Summer Lawn
As Kermit the Frog knows, It's not easy being green, especially so for a lawn trying to survive the heat and dryness of summer. And for you, the Huntsville AL home owner, it's not easy to look at your distressed and
dying lawn after all the time and effort you have put into it in previous months. Not to despair, however; it may not be too late to revive—or at least repair---the grassy areas of your landscape. Try following the following steps:
Watering:
- Consistently water your lawn. Most often, a lawn goes bad due to a lack of water. Make sure to water evenly and thoroughly so that the water will reach six inches into the ground. If not, the roots may grow toward the surface and make the grass vulnerable for sun damage.
- Water very early in the morning to avoid losing moisture to evaporation and allow the lawn plenty of time to dry. Lawns that stay wet overnight are breeding grounds for pests and disease.
- Keeping your lawn hydrated can be a difficult task with many local areas introducing water bans, but keep in mind that it is better to water deeply only a few times a week than lightly sprinkle the lawn every day.
Feeding:
- Add sugar, yes, sugar. Odd as it may sound, this practice works because the sugar protects the microbes necessary for a lawn to stay healthy. Spread approximately 1 pound of sugar to every 300 square feet of lawn area of your home.
- Leave the clippings behind when you mow your lawn. They contain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all necessary for healthy lawn growth.
- Use fertilizer sparingly. Follow directions to ensure proper use and timing.
Reseed or replace with sod:
- When coaxing and coddling do not work magic on the damaged grassy spots of your Huntsville AL home, it is most likely time to start over by reseeding. Visit eHow.com for expert advice on seed mixtures, application, and care.
- Another option for re-greening your landscape is using sod, either to replace brown patches or to redo the entire lawn. Step-by-step instructions for both can be found on many Internet sites. Click here for specific advice for laying sod in patches, or visit HGTV.com for a total replacement guide.
Information compliments of Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Broker, Mike Manosky.