Beat the Heat: Your Guide to Summer Lawn Maintenance

Summer is upon us, and with it comes the challenge of looking after your lawn amid the soaring temperatures.

This season presents a unique set of challenges for homeowners in the UK, from managing water use to mowing and encouraging biodiversity. But don’t worry! With a few simple tips, tricks and sustainable garden practices, you can beat the heat and protect the health and longevity of your lawn.

Letting Your Lawn Rest

A healthy garden lawn can be allowed to dry out and go brown during the summer. While it may not look as vibrant, don’t worry—it will bounce back naturally in the autumn when the weather cools down and we get more rainfall.

Letting your lawn rest during the hottest months reduces the need for constant watering, which is good for our water supplies. Plus, it helps the grass grow deeper roots, making it stronger and more resilient to drought in the future. Embracing this natural cycle is an easy and eco-friendly way to care for your lawn.

Watering Wisely

If you must water, focus on new lawns that need extra care to get established. Young grass benefits from regular watering to develop strong roots and a healthy foundation, but for established lawns, minimal watering is often sufficient. These lawns are typically more resilient and can withstand drier conditions.

When watering, water your lawn early in the morning, preferably between 6:00 and 10:00 AM. This allows the grass to absorb the moisture before the day heats up and reduces evaporation. You’ll also want to water less frequently, but more deeply. Aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall.

Avoid overwatering – it can do more harm than good! Leading to shallow roots and increased susceptibility to disease.

Embrace Natural Beauty

The days of immaculate stripy lawns are becoming less fashionable. Instead, why not embrace a more natural look?

Allowing a sprinkling of buttercups or daisies in your lawn can be beneficial for local wildlife, support a healthier ecosystem and please the eye. These little pops of colour not only add charm but also provide essential habitats and food sources for pollinators like bees and butterflies.

We saw some truly beautiful garden lawns over the month of No Mow May!

Mowing Matters

If you need to mow your lawn, it’s important to do it the right way – which can make a big difference in its health during the hotter months.

Set your mower blades higher during the summer. Taller grass provides shade for the soil, reducing water loss and heat stress on the grass. You also need to ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear the grass, making it more susceptible to disease.

Top tip: 

Try not to remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. Cutting too much at once can stress the grass and weaken it.

Maintaining a beautiful lawn during the summer months may seem tricky – but it doesn’t have to be! With our guidance and some consistency, you’ll be well on your way to a happy and healthy garden lawn.

At Haywood Landscapes, our garden landscapers have been advising clients and installing beautiful, long-lasting garden lawns across Kent and the surrounding areas for over 30 years.

If you need help finding the right solution for your outdoor space, get in touch with us here or call 01227 733447 today.