'Two-second' garden job will help rescue your lawn in July heat
As July is here, there's no better time to get your green fingers working and tend to your garden. If you've got a bit of outdoor space, you'll be well aware that the height of summer brings with it some critical gardening tasks, particularly when it comes to lawn care.
Of course, summer is also perfect for hosting barbecues, sipping on cool drinks, or even watching the Euros with loved ones – but amidst all these activities, don't forget to give your grassy patch some TLC.
Foot traffic from social gatherings can put extra strain on your grass, so maintenance is key. Timothy Greene, a grass expert from iCANLAWN, has shared four golden rules to keep your lawn in top shape throughout July, reports the Express.
How to take care of your lawn in July
The watering window
It turns out there is a better time to water your lawn.
Timothy advises: "Water your lawn in the early morning, preferably between 4am and 10am to reduce evaporation and allow the grass to dry before evening. This will help to minimise the risk of fungal diseases."
Feeding time for your grass
The forecast for July has been pretty much up and down so far.
However, our grass guru recommends: "Fertilisers often contain chemicals and need to be watered in to start them working on your lawn. In dry warm weather, this may mean they require lots of watering to get them to break down and may increase the risk of fertiliser burn.
"I would suggest getting your feeds in way before a heatwave is on the horizon and waiting for the temperature to cool down before going in again."
Get the air flowing
It's important to allow water, air and nutrients to flow through lawns throughout warmer weather. To do this, create pockets of air through aerating.
Aerating isn't just a fad – it's a real lifesaver for parched patches and helps avoid drowning during those inevitable downpours.
Timothy advised: "Aerating the lawn often is key during summer months. Aeration is a process of penetrating the soil to airflow. It can be done with a pitchfork or with more elaborate tools.
"It takes two seconds to do but you will need to do it across the lawn to ensure water to drain effectively."
Do the bounce-back test
Use the Bounce Back test throughout July to make sure your grass is getting the water that it needs ahead of rising temperatures.
He added: "The Bounce Back Test is a good indicator of when your lawn needs a good drink. All you do is stand on the grass, and if it stays flat, it needs watering. If it bounces back then it's probably okay.
"You should aim to water the lawn deeply between 10-14 days apart ensuring all areas receive an inch of water. This intermittent watering helps the lawn to build resilience and create a thirst for the water."
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