There are a plethora of ways to ensure that your lawn stays happy and healthy throughout the year in Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver, Washington. However, during the warm months of summer, there are fewer things more important than proper watering and fertilizing. Here, we’ll discuss a few tips about proper watering and fertilizing.
Proper Watering
Many people overlook the need for proper watering of their lawn, especially throughout the hottest time of year. On average, lawns in our area need about 1 to 1 1/2 inches of water weekly to maintain a lush and green appearance. Obviously, there are many variables that can affect that number, like soil types, an abundance or lack of sun, as well as grass types. As an example, soil that is high in clay can cause puddling throughout your lawn. Therefore, this type of soil would require more frequent waterings for shorter periods of time. However, unless your soil has an abundance of clay, it is best to water less frequently for longer periods of time. Going this route encourages your lawn to grow deep roots. Deeper root systems result in a happier, healthier looking lawn.
Many people remember that they should be watering their lawns too late in the day, once the temperatures have risen. Watering midday often results in water evaporating long before it penetrates the roots of your lawn, which, essentially, starves your lawn of this much-needed element. The best time to water is first thing in the morning when the temperatures are slightly cooler. This allows the water to be properly absorbed into the roots, long before the heat of the day can evaporate it. Others believe that nighttime watering is just as good or better than early morning watering. However, letting water sit on the grass overnight often results in the growth and spread of fungus, which should be avoided.
Most healthy lawn root systems have roots that reach 5 to 6 inches into the ground. During summer, watering for about 15 minutes two to three times a week will be sufficient in saturating the roots of your lawn.
Proper Fertilizing
Fertilizing your lawn is, essentially, providing it with the necessary nutrients it needs in order to stay healthy. These nutrients are not always readily available to your lawns micro-ecosystem, either because they are not naturally occurring, or they have been depleted by the growth of your lawn already. Your lawn should be fertilized at least annually but fertilizing during all the main lawn growing seasons is even better. Fertilizing during the winter is considered futile because the grass is dormant at this point and will not be using those nutrients until it awakens from its slumber and begins to grow again.
Fertilizer should be spread evenly throughout your lawns. There are several different tools you can use for this process which will make easy work of the task. For large lawns, we recommend a walk-behind drop spreader and, for smaller lawns, a simple handheld spreader will suffice. When laying fertilizer, traverse the lawn as you spread and ensure you are overlapping slightly with each new pass.
Urban Eden Landscaping is here to help with all of your landscape needs and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about watering and fertilizing. If you are in need of any of our services, give us a call today at (360)567-6399, contact us here, or fill out our FREE estimate request online!