As the temperature heats up, we usually jump in the pool to cool off, or turn on the a/c to chill out! Unfortunately, we can’t do the same for our lawns! A long, hot and dry summer is your lawns worst enemy, so it is extremely important to both prepare and begin turf maintenance on your lawn consistently through the summer months.
Water
Over the last decade, Brisbane has benefitted (and been hindered) from some very wet conditions which your turf, gardens and lawns LOVE! Higher than average rainfall coupled with hot days creates perfect turf growing conditions. Will the same be the case this year? Only time will tell, but just in case, you should be prepared!
In a perfect world, your turf would have been laid on a deep coarse sand and soil base, which will have encouraged a deep root system. This means, when rain and water is at a premium, the deeper roots can source and pull water from much lower down. But if this is not the case with your turf or you simply are unsure, during the summer months, less frequent, deeper soakings will train the root system to become more self-sufficient and robust, particularly with drought tolerant varieties.
During long stretches of drought or dry weather a weekly soaking of an hour may be required. Be aware of your local water restrictions (and the cost of water!!). Check out Brisbane’s current restrictions by clicking here. To ensure your lawn and turf get the most out of any rainfall we do get, the use of granular or liquid soil wetter is recommended.
Fertilising
Hopefully, throughout Spring your turf and lawn got a drop of water, and you were quick enough to make the most of the little rain and fertilise! Be extra careful through the summer with fertiliser as many need to be watered in immediately otherwise, burn can occur. Keep a bag of Eco 88 in the shed and watch the weather. The purists will be out there at 10PM with a bucket in hand when that summer storm blows through
Mowing
Get in quick and make sure your mower is in good working order. With perfect growing conditions, and a fast growing turf and lawn you may need to mow at least once a week if not more. With regular mowing, aim to remove no more than a third of the leaf blade to encourage dense, healthy growth. Mowing too short will cause unnecessary stress and may lead to potential weed invasion.
Weeds
As always, keep on eye out for any weeds and remove them before the get out of control, particularly before setting seed. The combination of mowing too low and a lack of water and nutrients can lead to weed infestation. Aerating and topdressing can be done during the summer, but don’t leave it too late. Once the days hits 30 degrees plus, it’s getting too hot.
Are you planning a new lawn? Check out our Turf Page for some great deals, information and DIY Videos.