An expert has revealed the lawn mistake gardeners have made as the UK recovers from a recent heatwave, when temperatures reached as high as 35C in parts of the country. Gardeners have likely had to put in extra effort to keep their outdoor space safe and thriving during days of high temperatures. One of the most difficult things to maintain in hot weather is your grassy lawn, which can really suffer under blistering sunshine.
One expert has revealed the design mistake that many gardeners have made in summertime and advised what they should do instead in the future. Ben Ashton from Rocky Mountain Turf explained to Livingetc how lawns can be troublesome for gardeners over the summer months, especially when temperatures get exceptionally high. Livingetc shared a number of mistakes that gardeners make when it comes to summertime, with one of them being the type of lawn they choose to have.
One of the major mistakes that gardeners make, which makes things more difficult in the summertime, is introducing a high-maintenance lawn. In hot weather, sprawling lawns are harder to keep green and healthy.
They need a lot of moisture, and when the weather is hot, you may find it hard to keep your lawns a rich green, and you will likely use way more water than you normally would. Ben says that the main mistake people make when it comes to caring for their lawns is designing one that is too high-maintenance.
He revealed: “Especially in hot, dry climates, a traditional lawn can often be more trouble than it’s worth.”
He continued: “You’ll have a hard time keeping it well watered during watering restrictions, and you’ll be faced with a choice between sky-high water bills and a brown lawn. Hardscaping, native planting, and artificial turf are all better choices.”
Livingetc recommend taking a “messy” approach to your lawn, where you let native plants grow instead of having a perfectly-maintained grassy lawn. This has many benefits, such as allowing pollinators to thrive in your garden, which in turn helps your flowers grow better.
Other mistakes listed by the gardening experts include accidental heat traps. Gardeners might create these without knowing, and it can have negative effects on their plants. Ben revealed: “Big, open patios are great spaces for entertaining, but they can also become way too sunny to be comfortable during the summer months.”