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How To Up Your Lawn Care in a Hotter Climate
It can seem counterintuitive to live in a hot climate and have a stunning green lawn.
For many people who live somewhere with intense sun and limited rainfall, it may seem that it is inevitable that you will have a lawn that is a bit brown and parched, as well as thin with growth.
Of course, with a bit of know-how (and not spending a fortune on water), you can ensure that your lawn thrives, even in extreme heat and dryness. In this article, you will be shown how.
Choose the Right Grass Type
Having a healthy-looking lawn in a hot climate starts with the type of grass you intend to grow. If you are new to the property, try to find out what grass is currently growing and then, if needed, pull it up or add more seeding.
For warmer climates, you will want warm-season grasses like Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Bermuda, as all of these thrive with minimal water. You will also have to make sure you look into zero turn mowers for sale, as these can help cut the grass to the required length to keep it healthy and to ensure it retains its moisture.
Water Wisely
You don’t need to douse your lawn with water to keep it healthy in a hot climate.
Try infrequent, deep watering to encourage the grassroots to grow deeper. When choosing a time of day to do so, try early morning, as this minimizes evaporation and allows the grass to absorb the moisture before it gets too hot.
Mow at the Right Height
Most people will recommend cutting the grass to be between 2.5 and 3 inches in height, even if it is a drought-resistant grass.
This ensures that it can withstand heat and provides shade for the soil, stopping it from becoming scorched. Even if you have a riding mower, make sure that the mower blades are sharpened, as this will prevent the mower from tearing up the grass and will keep it smoothly cut.
Feed Your Lawn
Constant exposure to hot weather can cause nutrients in the soil to drop, so to keep your lawn looking lush, you need to fertilize it properly.
There are slow-release fertilizers that are ideal for warm-season grass and you should aim to apply these during the growing season. Take care to not overfertilize though, as this can cause nitrogen stress and cause sporadic or shallow root growth, which will lead to bald spots in the lawn.
Provide Shade and Reduce Foot TrafficIn hotter conditions, you will want to make sure that your lawn is protected from unnecessary stress. Try to create shaded areas around your lawn by planting trees or even investing in shade cloths for parts of your lawn that are constantly exposed to the sun during the hottest parts of the day. If there are high-traffic areas in your lawn, try to install stepping stones or even artificial turf, as this will reduce damage to the natural grass.
