Whether you’ve been firing up the grill, enjoying time on your patio furniture or playing games with the kids, homeowners know that there is more to summer than backyard fun. With grass growing rapidly and plants and flowers in full bloom, there are more than a few yard maintenance projects to keep up with during this time of year. But don’t stress – Tractor Supply has you covered with the lawn and garden essentials you’ll need, so you can complete anything on your to-do list.
Cutting and Maintaining Your Lawn
When it comes to outdoor home improvement, on the minds of many is lawn care and maintenance. Now that spring has passed, you have likely already completed early-season tasks, such as spreading grass seed to bare spots and using your lawn mower for the first cut of the season. This means it’s time to perform maintenance specific to the warmer months, and it’s recommended to:
Keep Up with Your Mowing Routine
No two homeowners will have the same mowing schedule, as the ideal cutting frequency depends on your yard size, grass type, climate, rainfall and other factors. Not mowing enough can attract unwanted vermin to your yard, while mowing too often can result in weed formation and speed up water evaporation, leading to dry grass. However, cutting frequency isn’t the only consideration for getting your desired grass length. Whether you have a push, riding or zero-turn model, most mowers have a predetermined cutting height, which determines how long the grass will be after cutting. Others may have adjustable cutting height capabilities, allowing you to adjust as needed.
Generally, during the summer months, cool-season grass should be 3 to 4 inches high, providing consistent shade to the soil for lower risks of weeds and lawn diseases. Meanwhile, warm-season grass should be kept at 2 to 2.5 inches high. Mowing once per week is typically ideal in most climates, though drier areas may benefit from less frequent cutting. The time of day also matters – mowing mid-morning is ideal in the summer, as the morning dew will have burnt off, and the sun isn’t at its full strength yet. This also allows grass enough time to heal before night falls, when the dew returns.
Apply Fertilizer
Soil delivers some of the vital nutrients that grass needs to thrive, but the rest should be supplemented by fertilizer for the best results. When grass has all the nutrition it needs, you’ll notice new grass growth, a fuller appearance and even damaged areas becoming healed. What’s more, fertilizer helps your grass to become resistant to common diseases, from fairy ring to red thread.
When shopping for fertilizer, you’ll notice a NPK label on the packaging. NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, which are three of the most vital macro-nutrients that grass needs to thrive. NPK ratios are displayed as three numbers, which indicate how much of each nutrient is present in the package. As an example, if you see 10-10-10, this means the fertilizer contains 10% nitrogen, 10% phosphorous and 10% potassium. There are countless fertilizer ratios to choose from, so you should research the most ideal fertilizer type for your specific grass species.
Generally, if you have warm-season grass, you should fertilize it as soon as your grass turns green after the spring thaw – before it gets too hot in the early weeks of summer. It should then be fertilized again after high temperatures begin to fall later in the season. Meanwhile, cool-season grasses should be fertilized toward the end of the summer or early in the fall, when temperatures do not exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering Your Grass and Garden
Homeowners with lawns should prioritize watering their grass when necessary, especially if the weather has been dry. Without regular rainfall and supplemental water sources, such as garden hoses or sprinklers, your grass can fall victim to discoloration and irreversible damage. It’s recommended to give lawns at least an inch of water every week, so be sure to check the weather so you don’t overwater. If you are in a drier climate, you may have to water more often. Lawn timers can greatly assist in managing your water usage and maintaining ideal grass conditions, and rain gauges help you monitor precipitation levels on your land, so you can decide the best times to water.
Likewise, those with garden areas must ensure proper hydration for their flowers, edible plants and other greenery. While watering cans and hoses may do the trick in smaller areas, larger gardens may benefit from drip irrigation systems, which consistently deliver water plant roots. While specific watering requirements may vary depending on your plant’s species, you should generally water your plants when the soil is dry to the touch, being careful not to overwater.
Dealing with Pesky Weeds
Weed control comes along with the territory when living Life Out Here. Whether you want to control them in your grass, garden or other landscaping features, you may require products such as:
- Weed killers: These come in several product forms, including liquid and granules, and are applied similarly to fertilizers. You can also target both unwanted grass and weeds at the same time with the right grass weed killers. When comparing your options, you’ll find weed killer subtypes such as:
- Pre-emergent: This type targets weed cells before they emerge into invasive plants, inhibiting the ability of the seed cells to reproduce.
- Post-emergent: This type is intended for use on weeds that have already emerged, delivering weed-killing agents to their leaves and roots.
- Pre- and post-emergent: This type combines both pre-emergent and post-emergent capabilities, inhibiting weeds from growing before they can sprout while addressing weeds already growing.
- Weed and feed: Usually sold in spreadable and sprayable forms, this two-in-one solution contains weed-killing plant hormones that become absorbed by weeds and eventually kill them. The feed portion is comprised of fertilizer, providing vital nutrients and encouraging grass growth.
- Weed barriers: Made of polypropylene, wire and other materials, these serve as a protective layer for your soil. They are designed to sit underneath soil and mulch, and they work by blocking the germination and growth of weed seeds.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations carefully, as you may need to modify your watering routine for your grass or soil. If you don’t want to use these kinds of products, you could always pull weeds by hand. After putting your gardening gloves on, grab the weed by its roots and pull firmly, taking care to not break the weed’s roots. If any portion of the root is left behind, the weed can grow back. For harder-to-pull weeds, you can use a range of gardening hand tools or even a cultivator, which has spikes and a long handle to help you break up tough soil.
Inspecting and Repairing Your Fencing
When it comes to summer yard maintenance, we don’t want to forget about our home’s fencing. Fencing is essential for keeping unwanted pests out of your yard, while safely keeping dogs and little ones in. They also play a role in adding curb appeal to your home, making it even more important to repair and maintain your fence throughout the summer and year-round.
Start by visually inspecting your fence, walking its length and taking note of damages, such as cracking or warping on panels and fence posts, leaning or loose panels, as well as rust and corrosion. For wood fences, check for signs of rotting, and vinyl fences can discolor after frequent UV exposure. You should also test gates and latches to ensure they’re not sagging and can open with ease. Additionally, be sure to check for wobbling, as this can cause fences to break down and potentially be dangerous for pets and children.
Next, clean your fence, clearing out any caked-on dirt, mildew or mold that may have accumulated over winter. You can do this using a pressure washer on a low setting, or a scrub brush with a mild soap and water mix, rinsing debris with a garden hose once finished. With metal fences, be mindful of any moisture that remains after cleaning, as this can contribute to rusting and corrosion. You should repaint or add primers and coatings to any areas that may be susceptible to decay.
Lastly, repair the damaged portions of your fence, including panels and posts. Secure loose boards on wooden fences using nails or screws, and replace damaged vinyl fence portions with new materials. You should also sand off any rust spots on metal fencing and check for bent posts. For chain link fences, be sure to tighten sagging areas with a tensioning tool.
Keep Your Yard in Great Shape this Summer with Tractor Supply
When you keep up with your routine yardwork and maintenance, you can truly sit back, relax and enjoy all of the fun that summer can bring. Get the summer maintenance products you need for your outdoor spaces by visiting your local Tractor Supply store or shopping with us online.