The forecast for next week is calling for temps at or above 90 for all week. There are some slight chances for showers, but more than likely we won’t see any measurable rainfall. We are already starting to see heat stress on concrete and asphalt edges, as well as some lawns which are not receiving enough water.
Here are some special instructions for this coming week:
- Water every morning. Do not skip any days. Your lawn is a living organism and cannot last more than 24 hours without receiving some moisture in this kind of heat. Most lawns should also receive a light dose of water (roughly half the amount of the morning watering) in the heat of the day to avoid heat stress. I would recommend around 2pm or so. Your main watering should be a minimum of 20-35 min per zone for a typical rotor sprinkling zone.
- If you are not sure if an area is dry or not, check the soil moisture using a shovel. Dig down a few inches and check the damaged areas. The soil should be damp and be able to pack together. If it turns to dust when you roll it between your fingers, it is much too dry.
- Do not mow your lawn at all next week. This will put extra stress on the lawn during a very stressful time. Just let it grow out and wait until the heat wave is done to mow, and then water immediately afterward.
- Once you do mow, keep it at 3″ or above. Please measure the grass with a ruler. I have yet to meet a lawnmower with an accurate height adjustment. You might be surprised how short you are actually mowing.
Please follow these recommendations to keep your lawn looking as good as possible through the next few weeks. Let us know if you have any questions.
“I treat your turf like it’s My Turf”