Taking care of a lawn isn’t as simple as it seems. There are endless factors to consider: Is a sprinkler system worth it? How often should you mow? When’s the best time of day to mow? Are you accidentally wasting water?
With so many rules regarding proper lawn care, it’s no wonder homeowners tend to make one particular mistake when watering their lawns in the summer—especially in August, as temperatures peak.
To find out the biggest mistake people make when watering their lawns in August, we consulted with two lawn experts: John Ballard, Owner and Founder of That Yucca Stuff, an eco-friendly soil product and Jacob Romkee, Owner of Vintage Lawn Service and Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member.
??SIGN UP for the Dengarden / Parade Home & Garden newsletter for a weekly dose of our favorite house hacks, decor trends and shopping deals??
Both Ballard and Romkee agree that the same mistake is the most common one they see homeowners making when it comes to watering their lawns—and they have some advice on how to avoid making this mistake.
We also spoke with Siobhan Shaw, Founder and Editor of The Gardening Network and Founder of Growing To Give, who shared another major mistake home gardeners make when mowing their lawns in late summer.
Keep reading to learn more!
Related: 8 Flowers You Should Plant Right Now for Gorgeous Fall Color
The Biggest August Lawn-Watering Mistake: Watering Too Often
When taking care of their lawns in August, the biggest mistake people make is overwatering their lawns.
“One of the most common errors is actually over-watering your lawn in the summer just because it looks dry!” Ballard tells Parade.
Why Is Overwatering Your Lawn Bad?
“Pouring more water on a dry or dead looking lawn can actually exacerbate the situation and waste both water and money,” Ballard explains.
“The biggest mistake people make when watering their lawn is watering too shallow, too often,” adds Romkee. “Many people water for 5–10 minutes every single day, but that keeps moisture near the surface instead of reaching deeper into the soil.”
Ippei Naoi / Getty Images
How Often Should You Water Your Lawn in August?
Rather than watering your lawn for a few minutes every day, Romkee says “it’s better to water two to three times per week for about 20–30 minutes.”
If you water your lawn on this schedule, the water “sinks deeper into the soil and encourages longer, thicker, stronger roots, for a healthier lawn.”Ballard agrees—he recommends that homeowners water their lawns every other day, for about 10 to 15 minutes in each zone.
“Water just enough to keep the grass alive and make the roots ‘stretch’ for the water below in the soil,” he explains. “This promotes better root structure and helps in drought situations while conserving water and costs.”
Related: Why Your Pumpkin Plant Has Flowers but No Pumpkins
3 Other August Lawn-Care Mistakes Experts Say to Avoid
1. Unnecessary mowing
“In August, the hottest month across the U.S., it’s best to let the grass grow,” Shaw tells Parade. This is especially pertinent in regions experiencing droughts and extreme heat.
“If you mow the lawn it will scald, wither and look like it will never grow again,” she explains. “Leaving [your grass] long allows it to protect itself from the burning sun during the day.”
If you still want to mow your lawn, Ballard recommends “raising the mower blade up an inch or two. This will “give the grass a chance to extend its root system down and grow up and out.”
That said, if you did over-mow your lawn amidst high temperatures, not to worry—Shaw says lawns typically bounce back once the weather cools down in early fall.
2. Watering your lawn late at night
According to Romkee, watering your lawn between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. “can create the kind of damp conditions that encourage fungal growth and other lawn issues.” Curious for the best time to water your lawn? You’ll find that below!
3. Watering every area for an equal amount of time
“Not all areas of a lawn need the same amount of water,” says Romkee. “Shady spots typically need much less water than areas in direct sun, so treating them equally can lead to overwatering in some places and underwatering in others.”
Elena Medoks / Getty Images
3 Expert Tips for Watering Your Lawn in Hot Weather
1. Water your lawn early in the morning
Ballard says the best time to water your lawn is “in the early morning hours.”
Specifically, Romkee, says you should water your lawn between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m.
“This is early enough to avoid prolonged overnight moisture that can cause lawn issues, while still being close enough to daytime to keep the grass hydrated,” Romkee explains.
2. Check your irrigation system
If you ever notice brown spots on your lawn, Romkee recommends checking to make sure your irrigation system is working properly. This is as simple as “turning on the sprinklers and watching them run.”
He adds that you should “inspect the system at least once a month, because even one broken sprinkler head can affect an entire zone.”
Ballard also recommends regularly checking and cleaning your sprinkler system’s water heads and nozzles for efficiency. If you see “overly damp spots around the water heads” or water leaking from the heads, you should repair them or replace them with water-efficient nozzles.
3. Attend to your lawn
“Make sure your lawn is getting the other care it needs for water to properly penetrate the soil,” Romkee advises. That means you should be regularly fertilizing your lawn (four to six times a year) and staying on top of dethatching, pH correction and aeration.
“Without these steps, water may run off the lawn and into the gutter instead of soaking into the soil where it can actually help,” Romkee adds. “Water alone will only do so much if the lawn is not also fertilized regularly. Fertilizing about four to six times a year helps support the lawn’s overall health, allowing the water you apply to have a more meaningful impact.”
Up Next:
Related: The 5 Perennials You Should Stop Deadheading in Late Summer, According to a Gardener
Sources:
John Ballard, Owner and Founder of That Yucca Stuff Jacob Romkee, Owner of Vintage Lawn Service and Thumbtack Pro Advisory Board member Siobhan Shaw, Founder and Editor of The Gardening Network and Co-Founder of the nonprofit Growing To GiveHence then, the article about the biggest mistake people make watering their lawns in august according to lawn experts was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Biggest Mistake People Make Watering Their Lawns in August, According to Lawn Experts )
Also on site :
- 1988 Rock Song by Iconic Supergroup, Written Mainly by George Harrison, Is Still an Iconic Hit 38 Years Later
- Nocpix Nature lanza Rovex, una solución térmica de gran pantalla para una detección de aves más rápida
- Walmart’s ‘Perfect’ $45 Wrangler Purse Is ‘Fantastic Quality,’ and Available in 8 Fall-Friendly Colors