As the UK comes out of a major heatwave, gardeners are being warned to take extra care of their lawns to avoid one major blunder that could result in “a brown lawn”. Cheryl Harper, managing director of Greensleeves Lawn Care, said: “One of the most common things that impact lawns during the high summer months is increased footfall.
“With families enjoying their garden space, BBQs with friends and leisurely afternoons of sunbathing, the lawn gets much more use than the rest of the year and the soil can start to get compacted. Combine that with the blazing sun and very little moisture and your lawn can start to look more than just a little worse for wear very quickly.”
However, there are simple steps to help reduce the risk of a brown and patchy lawn, rather than enforcing a “do not step on the grass” policy over the summer months.
While many may think their lawn has died if it turns brown, this is common during hot weather.
It can look unsightly but this is simply down to the fact that it is dehydrated.
The lawn expert explained: “Without sufficient water, your lawn can turn yellow and straw-like, taking months to recover.
“To maintain a green lawn during these hot spells, deep watering a couple of times a week is often more effective than daily light sprinkling.
“Be strategic about when and how you water your lawn, especially when it is hot.”
Cheryl insists that first thing in the morning is prime time for watering your lawn, ensuring it soaks up moisture before the sun’s heat leads to swift evaporation.
She says to “avoid” midday watering when the sun’s rays are at their fiercest, as this will result in rapid evaporation and fail to nourish the grass roots effectively.
She adds: “Similarly, watering in the evening can increase the risk of diseases like red thread by leaving the grass damp overnight.”
Applying fertiliser amid a heatwave is another blunder, potentially subjecting your lawn to “fertiliser burn”.
Cheryl advises holding off on fertilisation until after the scorching weather breaks, or ideally, applying it post-rainfall once the lawn has dried out.
During bouts of hot weather, it’s crucial to let your lawn breathe and stay vigilant against weeds that could make it lose vital nutrients.
