Summer heat can place grass under a huge amount of stress, very quickly leaving it brown and damaged. Luckily, gardeners can bring their lawns back to life with the help of Chris Mcllroy, from leading lawn experts The Grass People.
The expert said: “It’s not easy to keep your lawn in top shape during summer as higher temperatures and less rainfall take their toll. “It’s normal for grass to become wilted, patchy and brown during heatwaves as it goes into its dormant state, but all is not lost.
“The first step I would recommend would be to rake the surface and remove any visibly dead grass.
“Next, it’s important to aerate the soil to allow it to breathe, and you can do this by using an aerator tool or pitchfork to create holes in the ground so water and nutrients can reach deeper.”
Next, gardeners should overseed their lawns, applying a good amount of seed which is fit for purpose. Finally, when the temperatures drop and no further hot weather is on the horizon, the expert recommends fertilising the lawn.
He added: “Summer months often see spells of high temperatures and reduced rainfall, which can have a negative impact on lawns.”
Often, browning and wilting of grass is due to it going into a dormant state to protect itself from high temperatures and a lack of moisture. Homeowners may consider this unsightly and want to keep it looking green and pristine during the months they spend more time in their gardens than usual. Luckily, it is a normal process for lawns to go through when receiving no water throughout the hot months.
To combat this, make sure the lawn is getting enough water if there are no hosepipe bans in place. Aim to water the lawn early in the morning before the sun gets too warm or late at night after it has gone down. Alternatively, purchase an oscillating timed sprinkler to help keep the lawn hydrated throughout the day.
