Hot summer temperatures are here, and some lawns are turning brown. What are you supposed to do? Grubs could be the problem, but many times watering is the issue. Keep in mind the following points so your lawn will be ready for any outdoor activity.
Watering Tips to Help Fix Your Yellow Lawn
- During the spring, grass needs only about one to 1 to 1.5 inches of water, but during the summer, Utah lawns need between 2 and 2.5 inches of water a week because of the hot, dry weather. To find the amount that you’re watering, use this trick: Place a tin can on the lawn, and turn on the sprinklers. Measure the water in the can after the cycle has finished.
- You may think your sprinkler system is working, but have you checked the filter recently? Make sure to clean the sprinkler heads and filter regularly.
- Water less often for a longer amount of time. For example, water 3 times a week for 20 minutes rather than 6 times for 10 minutes.
- Water in the early morning. Watering during the night will leave water sitting on the lawn until it dries the next day. This may lead to diseases in your lawn.
Check out our video for more helpful watering guidelines:
Mowing Tips to Help Your Burnt Lawn
- A hot lawnmower will burn the grass, leaving brown or burnt stripes in the lawn. Be sure to store your mower in a cool place and to mow with an efficient, well taken care of lawnmower.
- A dull blade will cause the grass to appear a lighter color. Dull lawnmower blades tear and pull grass blades instead of cutting them smoothly.
- Grass should be kept between 2 and 3 inches long so the root system remains cool and healthy.
Grub Damage (Cranberry Girdler)
Are Grubs Killing Your Lawn?
If you can pull up large sections of the grass and it tears away from the root system, you probably have a grub problem. The best way to get rid of grubs is with a professionally applied insecticide. Stewart’s lawn technicians are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of lawn issues, including grubs.
Is Your Lawn Suffering from a Fungus?
One common fungus that affects Utah lawns is necrotic ring spot. Necrotic ring is a fungus that lives in the soil beneath the lawn and causes circles of yellow grass to appear in your lawn. Necrotic ring is near impossible to cure. However, it dissipates over time, so the best way to deal with the fungus is to mask its effects while the disease runs its course.
To mask the effects of the fungus, try the following:
- Use a special mixture of fertilizer and nutrients to help strengthen the lawn
- Overseed affected areas with a fungus-resistant type of ryegrass
You won’t see results immediately, but within a few years, your lawn should look much healthier.
Diagnosing lawn issues can be difficult, so Stewart’s experts are here to help. Call or text 801-226-2261 for a free quote today.
Watch our video for more information about why your lawn is brown and how to fix it.