Summer Lawn Care Guide for MN
As the 4th of July comes and goes, the warmer months of Minnesota settle in. Our lawns, just like us, have already been hammered by high heat and some drought. Here are a few top pointers to keep your lawn and landscape looking its best.
- Raise mower to 3-4″ and sharpen mower blade
- Take care of mosquitoes
- Use best watering practices
- Watch out for moles and grubs
Summer time mowing. Proper mowing techniques will help keep your lawn green and prevent disease. Start by raising your mowing height to about 3.5-4″. Cutting low allows more sunlight to hit the soil which promotes weed germination. in addition, your soil will dry out much faster, causing you to water more.
- Mow often. If you allow your lawn to grow tall and then cut it down to 3″ you will essentially burn your lawn out.
- Mow when it needs it. This goes with the above statement- if your grass only grew 1/2″ last week, you probably don’t need to mow. Another note is not to mow when it is over 85 degrees.
- Sharpen your mower blade. Make sure you are mowing with a sharp mower blade by sharpening 2-3 times a year. Mowing with a dull blade will rip the grass blades and can create disease.
Take care of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are not only annoying, but they can also be carriers of diseases such as Encephalitis and Zika. We despise mosquitoes so much, that we created a special blog that explains professional and DIY control options. Check that blog by clicking HERE.
- If you are searching for a longer-lasting, broad control of mosquitos we suggest calling a professional. Before calling we suggest determining what your needs are. Do you want protection for a special event you’re having or would you like to have mosquito relief all summer long?
Best watering practices. Our grass types in MN are not meant to withstand high heat and drought for long periods. Lawns will generally slow growth and begin to show signs of stress. Lawns will go dormant (not dead) during stressful times. This is where watering is crucial- it keeps the plant cool and able to fight off stresses.
- When to water. The best time to water is always in the early morning- this allows the most water to get to the soil without losing much through evaporation.
- How much to water. Water when your lawn needs it. If you see your grass losing its oomph, start watering!
Watch out for moles and grubs. it is important to keep in mind that not all bugs are bad. In fact, many insects are actually beneficial for your lawn! Killing off these beneficial insects can actually make your lawn problems worse.
- Treatment. There are many different ways to do this, depending on the type of insect and the severity of the infestation. For example, lawn grubs can be controlled with a variety of insecticides, while chinch bugs can be controlled with both insecticides and beneficial predators such as ladybugs.
Northern Roots Lawn Care offers insect and disease control to the Twin Cities metro Minnesota area.
For professional lawn maintenance (all year long), Northern Roots Lawn Care provides personalized services and applications to help your lawn be the best in the neighborhood. Get a free quote for your lawn care services today. Our experts will inspect your lawn and determine the correct course of action if you have a lawn disease, fungus, or any insect control issues. We are here to help!
