As the UK is in the midst of another late summer heatwave, looking after the garden should be a priority. With high temperatures wreaking havoc by drying out plants and grass, experts have shared some helpful advice to make sure lawns will avoid turning brown in August.
If you spot brown patches across your garden, there are a few steps you can take to stop the spread, including one centred around mowing. Susan McIntosh, the president of Lawn Pride, told The Spruce: “Brown grass doesn’t always mean dead grass. With a little patience and the right care, your lawn can stay resilient through summer and green up beautifully when conditions improve.”
Hydration is key for a healthy and luscious lawn, but sometimes watering isn’t enough to maintain that green hue. Experts advised that lawns should be watered “deeply” between one to two times a week.
This should equate to about an inch of water showered over the grass. If this is done in the early morning, it will allow the water to permeate the soil nicely without drying out.
Gardeners are reminded to be mindful when watering, as shallow watering can lead to the lawn drying out, while overwatering can inadvertently help disease grow and spread.
Expert Ron Henry, a turfgrass specialist at the Golf Course Lawn Store, told The Spruce that diseases, such as summer patch, can “stress out” gardens and lead to brown spots. Summer patch is caused by fungus, which primarily affects cool-season grasses during hot and humid summer months.
The disease appears as yellow or straw-colored patches, ranging from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The disease damages the roots and crown of the grass, leading to wilting and eventual death of the affected areas.
To combat the spread of disease, Ron advised to increase the number of times you mow the lawn throughout the summer. However, you have to be mindful that you don’t cut off too much grass, as this too can promote browning.
Be on the lookout for signs of fungus and pests in the grass, but also remove any thatch layers. Aerating soil will help too.
There are also a number of other tasks you can carry out throughout the year to make sure your lawn stays in tip top shape. When it comes to mowing the grass, ensure that your mower blades are sharp, as this will avoid any unsightly and ragged grass tips.
Once you’ve mowed the lawn, you don’t have to clean up the cuttings straight away. The Spruce explained that leaving clippings on the lawn can help secrete nutrients back into the grass and retain moisture, and in turn, not go brown.
Gardeners should also avoid fertilising the grass during heatwaves. The UK is currently in the throes of incredibly hot weather, so avoid laying down any fertiliser in the peak of the temperature.