The ultimate summer survival guide for maintaining a healthy and nourished lawn

With global temperatures rising, this year is predicted to have the hottest summer yet leaving many worried for the state of their precious lawns and gardens. UK lawns are used to cool and wet weather, so the drastic change in climate and temperatures during summer months can leave them stressed and at risk of drying out.

But fear not! Garden machinery and lawncare expert, Cobra has compiled a list of top tips for keeping lawns healthy and nourished.

Don’t mow too short!

In the summer months, the lawn will grow rapidly so make sure to have the mower to hand to give the grass a trim at least once a week.

During hotter periods, increase the cutting height on the mower as longer grass stems will shade the soil, help capture more moisture and be able to better resist drying out.

Help recovery by aerating the soil

A long summer of outdoor gatherings and family garden fun can take their toll on lawns leaving them looking worse for wear as autumn hits. The SA32E 12 steel blade aerator, will help alleviate any compaction caused by heavy garden furniture or excess garden use. This will allow vital nutrients to circulate in the ground and give roots space to breathe and grow back stronger before the colder months arrive.

Dead or dormant?!

Lawns are hardier than many people think and can actually survive long spells of dry weather. People often assume that if a lawn turns brown the grass had died but that isn’t always the case. Grass is a very resilient plant, and it may just have gone dormant as a means of protecting itself from extreme heat. You can tell if the grass is dead or dormant by giving it a gentle pull, if it comes out easily it is dead but if there’s some resistance it may just need some extra TLC!

Be waterwise!

During the summer, make sure to do an occasional heavy watering to ensure grass stays well hydrated making for a more robust lawn. However, amid a drought only water the grass if truly necessary to avoid wasting water, or being at risk of a costly fine if there are hose pipe bans in the local area!

In warmer temperatures, make sure to spike the ground before watering to allow moisture to permeate soil roots, as otherwise, the water will simply run off without being absorbed. During a heatwave, water early in the morning, ideally between 6 am and 8 am, to reduce the amount of water evaporating at surface level during the high midday temperatures.

Give the grass a helping hand

While regularly watering the lawn throughout the summer can help it thrive, it may also wash away essential nutrients from the soil. Give the grass a helping hand with a suitable lawn feed to help it maintain its health and vitality. During a heatwave, make sure to choose a fertiliser that is designed specifically for hot and dry conditions as these contain higher levels of potassium which improve the grass’s ability to absorb water and improves root growth.

Even though the lawn may lose some colour during the summer months…don’t panic! Regularly watering and aerating the soil will make sure the lawn fully recovers as autumn arrives. Keeping on top of lawn care throughout the year, and watering sensibly, will give the grass the strength it needs to withstand any hot temperatures leaving lawn lovers with peace of mind to enjoy all the sunny weather.

Keep the lawn healthy all year round!

The best way to have a healthy lawn is to take care of it all year round – not just in the summer! Maintaining good lawn care practices throughout the year will give a lawn the best chance of surviving even the longest and hottest of heatwaves. If a lawn is in poor condition at the start of the summer, grass roots will be much more likely to weaken and deteriorate once the high temperatures hit.

Keep on top of lawn care by regularly eliminating weeds, aerating and scarifying the lawn, and applying fertiliser throughout all the seasons – way before the summer comes! This will ensure the grass has the best chance of reviving rapidly after the summer, regardless of how hot the weather may get!

There are also many ways to prep a garden for extreme weather earlier in the year. For example, if there is an area of grass that tends to go brown or die each summer, a cleverly placed table, parasol or tree can offer some much-needed shade and protection. Use a water butt to collect rainwater over the spring to be both kinder to the planet and more prepared should a hose pipe ban come into effect!

Although an artificial lawn may seem like a tempting option for an easy, low-maintenance solution, these will overheat in the summer creating a risk for delicate skin on feet and paws, not to mention the all-round negative environmental effects on the planet’s essential pollinators and wildlife.

For further information about Cobra, please visit www.cobragarden.co.uk.

ENDS

MX3440V 13” Li-ion Cordless 40v Lawnmower – RRP £232.99

GTRM34 13” Electric Lawnmower with Rear Roller – RRP £122.99

SA32E 13” Electric Powered Scarifier – RRP £119.99

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Editors notes

The Cobra Garden range is constantly expanding and now consists of over 130 products to cover both domestic and professional requirements. Cobra incorporate a comprehensive range of petrol, electric and cordless lawnmowers, handheld machines and lawncare products.