Keep a Green Lawn in the Hot Colorado Summer
People who aren’t from Colorado often fail to realize how hot and dry it can be here. The arid climate can make keeping a green lawn tough, especially into the hotter months. With the proper attention to detail, though, you can keep a healthy, green lawn.
Today we’re going to go over a few tips that will help you in your quest for your neighborhood’s best lawn!
Water
This one is a no-brainer, right? Perhaps the biggest challenge in keeping a green lawn in Colorado is the dryness. Along the Front Range, we often face weeks with little rain. Your lawn doesn’t need a ton of water, especially if you’re using the right grass for the climate (more on that later). However, it does need regular waterings. In all, your lawn needs about an inch of water per week.
The best time to water is in the morning. In fact in Denver, it’s required, watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. is prohibited during the summer. Watering in the morning gives the lawn more time to suck up all the water.
You need to be sure to check your local rules, which can usually be found online. Denver’s for example, are right here.
Make sure that when watering you are always following rules and laws in your area. The fine isn’t worth it.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer releases essential nutrients into your lawn’s grass to keep it green, healthy, and vibrant. Finding the right mix or brand to use can be challenging, but the best course of action is to consult with an expert. The Westside Grounds of Lakewood is happy to help, we offer a variety of lawn care services in Lakewood and Denver.
Keep Off the Grass
In the hot summer months, grass will be drier than in the spring or fall. During these times, it’s best to avoid stressing it out if possible. You may notice that when you walk on well-watered grass, it springs back. Dry grass, on the other hand, stays matted down and is easily damaged. When you’re trying to keep your lawn as green as possible, avoid walking on it when you can.
Seed in the Fall
Lawn care is a year-round job. Make sure your grass is free of disease and pests (you’ll see brown spots throughout the summer if your lawn is infected). If it needs treatment, consult with a professional. If not, you’re ready to seed in the coming fall. Pay special attention to bare spots or other trouble areas in the lawn. Also, notice the type of seed you’re buying. You want to get something that is right for your lawn.
Keep it Longer
There is a crown on each blade of grass that is where new growth emerges. By keeping your grass longer, the crown is lower down and is kept protected from burning due to heat or light. Think of this way – you won’t have to mow as much!
Get Rid of Weeds
There are more than a few methods for getting rid of weeds in your lawn, but you have to be careful. The safest way, of course, is to pull weeds by hand. However, you still need to make sure you get the root, and you need to be careful not to spread seeds when you’re doing so. Additionally, there are various chemicals you can use to weed your lawn, just be sure to review each carefully before doing that.
Grow the Right Grass
The Front Range where Denver and Lakewood are located have hot and dry summers. Temperatures are regularly in the 80s, and it’s common to see several days in a row over 90. A few choices you should look into are Bermuda, St. Augustine, and zoysia grasses. They grow well between 80 and 95 degrees and will help your lawn look its best.
Talk to an Expert
The Westside Grounds of Lakewood are your go-to for keeping a green and healthy lawn. We offer a wide variety of lawn care services, including residential landscaping, commercial landscaping, basic lawn care, sprinkler maintenance, and more.
For a free quote, reach out today!