While it’s easy for people to escape the extreme heat of Florida summer by jumping in a pool or sitting in an air-conditioned home, your lawn doesn’t have those options. That’s why it’s important to learn about the impact of heat on grass and soil so you can keep it healthy and vibrant.
While the sun helps grass grow, the hot days of summer can actually stunt growth. Common Florida grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass stop growing once the temperature is above 90 degrees. While the high heat can turn grass brown from the evaporation of moisture, soil that is rich in nutrients can keep your grass green even in high temperatures.
Watering your grass becomes particularly important in the summer. If you give it too little, it will dry out, but too much water can allow disease and pests to flourish. The best course of action is to water the grass once a day in the early morning. This gives the grass enough time to soak up the water before the sun can evaporate it. If the day is extremely hot, try watering the lawn in the middle of the day for a short time.
It’s important not to cut grass too short. This will cause it to dry out and let the water evaporate from the ground faster. Fertilizer should be applied throughout the summer, but make sure to use the kind that is made for hot weather.
Keeping a lawn green and healthy in the Florida sun does take time and effort. It’s better to maintain it consistently than deal with having to repair large patches or reseed it because it’s been neglected. If you have questions about how irrigation can help you keep your lawn in good shape, call our Challenger Irrigation office in Spring Hill today.
