Last summer my yard seemed to dry out really quickly as the temperature began to rise. This got me thinking about steps I should take while mowing grass during the hottest months of the year and how to mow my grass the most efficient way possible.
It’s extremely easy to let your yard get away from you during the hottest temperatures of the summer. Your grass starts to die and you have to water it non-stop. Some of the best tips to mow your grass as the temperature rises are to cut it as high as possible, sharpen your blade for clean cuts, use a lawnmower that is capable of the task, and do not bag your mulch. With these tips, you’ll be able to mow your grass as the temperature rises and keep grass green in hot weather.
How to Mow Your Grass as the Temperature Rises
These are the top 5 steps to mow your grass during the summer to help maintain a great looking yard.
- Cut Your Grass as High as Possible
- Sharpen Your Blade for Clean Cuts
- Use a Dependable Lawnmower
- Do Not Bag Your Mulch
- Water Grass in Early Morning
Cut Your Grass as High as Possible
The purpose of cutting your grass is to cut it as short as possible so you don’t have to mow it as often right? WRONG! As temperatures rise and you near the first grass cut of the year, your lawn should be kept at the maximum height that your lawnmower will allow you to cut it.
Keeping your grass long is the best way to provide protection from the sun, protect the root system from oppressive heat, and preserve water in the soil by shading. Cut your grass as high as possible and even during the hottest summer months, it will look greener and conserve water more efficiently.
Sharpen Your Blade for Clean Cuts
While cutting length is important, so is maintaining a healthy lawn. Sharpen your blade for clean cuts which can help reduce diseases and other issues from establishing themselves.
With the aid of a grinder or hand held file, sharpen your blade every season before use. One sharpening should be enough to last you most of summer. Check the tips of your grass often to make sure the cut is clean, and not a tear.
Use a Dependable Lawnmower
Accomplishing most of these tasks to make sure your lawn is prepared for rising temperatures, it is imperative that you have a lawn mower capable of doing the job. A capable lawn mower will provide a clean cut, have plenty of power to mow your yard efficiently, and have several cutting level adjustments.
A 5HP lawn mower is usually the best all-around choice when selecting a new mower that is versatile enough and powerful enough to handle just about any application. Our favorite is the Honda HRX Lawn Mower for power and dependability.
Do Not Bag Your Mulch
As the temperature rises, your grass dries out faster. Direct sunlight for the hours a day take its toll and before your know it your lawn is brown or full of dead grass.
To help combat your lawn drying out, DO NOT BAG YOUR MULCH! Bagging your mulch may help reduce cleanup efforts, but you are robbing your lawn of added moisture and nutrients.
Mulch left on your lawn will sink down to the base of the grass and provide a layer which will help retain moisture for longer periods. As the mulch clippings decompose, they will also provide added nutrients back into the soil.
Water Grass in Early Morning
Watering your lawn in the summer months can get expensive quickly. Maximize your budget and the amount of water your yard can absorb by watering during the early morning or late afternoon.
Watering at cooler times of the day help ensure your lawn absorbs as much moisture as possible and less is lost to evaporation. Watering at night can lead to mold or mildew, so stick with early morning or late evening.
Other Tips for Mowing Your Grass as the Temperature Rises
- Use Summer Fertilizer with Moisture Additions (Scott’s Summer Blend).
- Water longer (10-13 Minutes) a few times a week, rather than shorter watering periods more frequently.
- Check your sprinkler system multiple times a year to make sure each zone is operating correctly and efficiently.
- Mow less frequently.
- Avoid cutting your lawn during the hottest part of the day.
When Should You Mow Your Lawn?
The best time to mow your lawn is mid-morning or early evening. These times don’t interrupt the natural photosynthesis of your lawn and also aren’t unbearable for the person doing the mowing.
In the spring months, grass should be allowed to grow as tall as possible to help crowd out weeds. Avoiding the hotter parts of the day to mow is less of an issue and less stressful on your lawn during the spring.
Bottom Line
Mowing your grass as the temperature rises is something you must do, but you should also do it in a science based way that benefits your lawn and your budget.
Always mow your grass as high as possible, sharpen your blade for clean cuts, use a dependable lawnmower, do not bag your mulch, and water your grass in the early morning. With these 5 tips, mowing your grass during the summer will be a breeze. You’ll likely have the best lawn on the block.
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