Too many hot and humid summer days for turfing?

With the summer heat in full swing, many of us are looking for ways to keep cool, enjoy our gardens and have them looking fantastic when friends and family pop around. One popular way to get your garden in good shape is installing a turf grass lawn. While a turf grass lawn can provide a beautiful green space to enjoy the outdoors, it is important to be aware that too much heat and humidity can be tough on your lawn. If you live in an area with long, hot summers, which could be the case for the UK this summer, you can still lay turf and get excellent results.

Soil preparation is everything

When it comes to turfing, making sure your turf has the best chance to thrive in summer conditions is no exception. The soil should be broken up to a depth of around 15cm, removing any large stones, debris or weeds which could impede root growth. Adding some organic matter will also help improve drainage while retaining moisture – perfect for those hot days. Once you’ve got your lawn area prepared, it’s time to lay the turf. It’s important that you do this on a cool day if possible, as the heat can cause the turf to wilt and dry out quickly. If you need to lay the turf on a hot day, make sure you keep it moist by covering it with damp burlap or a sprinkler until nightfall.

Watering is key

After you’ve laid your turf, the most important thing you can do is keep it watered – and this is especially true in hot weather. For the first two weeks after turning, aim to water your lawn every day, if possible. This will help the roots establish themselves and stop the turf from drying out and dying. Once the roots have taken hold, you can reduce watering to every other day and then eventually to just once a week. If you let your lawn dry out completely, it will die, so make sure you keep an eye on it during hot weather and water as needed.

Mowing

You should wait until your turf Northampton has been fully rooted before you mow it for the first time, which will take around two weeks. After that, you can start to cut it a little bit at a time, gradually increasing the length of each cut until you reach your desired height. In general, you should only ever remove one-third of the grass blade when mowing, as removing any more could damage the lawn. Hot weather is also not the time to be fertilising your lawn – wait until autumn for that.

Pests and diseases

Unfortunately, hot weather can also bring with it some Lawn pests and diseases. One of the most common problems is brown patch fungus, which thrives in warm, humid conditions. This disease causes brown patches to appear on the grass, which can quickly spread if left untreated. If you notice any brown patches on your lawn, make sure to treat them as soon as possible.

Summer might be tough on your turf, but with a little bit of extra care, you can keep your lawn looking green and healthy all season long. Just remember to water regularly, mow carefully and watch out for pests and diseases, and you’ll be enjoying your beautiful lawn in no time.