There are different types of jobs we should be keeping up with throughout the year, but some of the jobs we should make sure we are always doing our best to keep up with are regular feeding, moss-killing and weeding. Cold weather and life can get in the way, making it difficult for us to keep on top of everything - so lawn experts at The Grass People share the key jobs to focus on this summer. 

Watering 

Summer (hopefully) means less rain and more sun, this means we need to take the time to make sure our lawns are plenty hydrated. It’s a good idea to water grass once a week if it’s not raining, but be careful not to flood the grass. In extreme summer heat a good guide is 20 litres of water a week for every 1 metre square of lawn. 

If drought conditions persist, soil can become very dry and hard which can make it difficult for the water to permeate, so it’s important to aerate with either a plug aerator or a spike aerator, which create holes in the ground allowing water and oxygen to filter through. You can tell your lawn needs a little extra water if the grass begins to turn yellow or brown. 

Seeding 

Winter can be unkind to lawns making it look thin or patchy, so summer is a great time to repair these damaged areas by overseeding. If you want to try your hand at overseeding, there are a few steps to follow. Firstly, make sure you take the time to prep the lawn, this includes weeding the lawn and removing any debris such as boulders or stones. 

Next it’s time to scarify and fertilise the lawn with a quick release fertiliser. Lastly, moisten the soil and sprinkle the seed, water and then roll the lawn. The final step is to sit back and enjoy your luscious green lawn. 

Mowing

We advise you to begin mowing your lawn during spring (March is the best month for this), meaning that your lawn should be at a good height. Aim for a height of 10-15mm for fine, ornamental lawns or a slightly longer 25-40mm for more hardwearing, family friendly lawns. 

With rising temperatures, and especially if there is still rain, grass is likely to grow at a much faster rate. This is thanks to the perfect growth conditions that summer brings: heat, light and moisture. After a winter and spring where our lawns required less mowing, mid summer is a time where lawns may need to be mowed more often, potentially once or twice a week. At the end of summer, as growth slows less mowing will be required. 

The important thing to remember about mowing all year round is to not cut your lawn too short as this will damage the grass and cause it to appear hacked and turn yellow, which is not the backdrop to our summer BBQs that we want! 

Feeding 

With increased mowing over summer, grass may become nitrogen deficient. The best way to combat this is with a slow release fertiliser so your lawn gets all the nutrients it needs to thrive. This can also help prevent moss and weeds from establishing themselves within the lawn. 

To ensure you get the most out of your fertiliser, the best conditions are waiting for days when rain is expected. Fertiliser doesn’t like the sun and it does like moist soil, making rainy and overcast days the perfect days for this job. It’s important to get this job ticked off fairly early in the summer, as after August high levels of nitrogen are not suitable for use due to the upcoming Autumn weather. 

Read our guide on shaded areas and how to fertilise your lawn.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if there's anything else I can help with.