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New Zealand summers pose unique challenges for maintaining a vibrant lawn. Hot weather, drying winds, and a lack of rain can stress your lawn. However, you can make a plan to ensure your lawn remains green and lush throughout the hottest months of the year. We're sharing expert practical tips to care for your lawn during summer.
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Always store products out of the reach of children and pets.
Water conservation is important, especially during summer, so avoid watering during the hottest part of the day. This will minimise the loss of water through evaporation. Water in the early mornings when temperatures are cooler, allowing more water to reach the roots.
Tip: Don't forget to check your local water restrictions, as these may dictate specific watering times and intervals.
Cool-season lawns like perennial rye or fescue need deep watering two to three times a week, while warm-season grasses like buffalo and couch might be okay with one deep watering per week depending on how hot it is.
Just like in spring, it's essential to keep spreading fertiliser. The fertiliser you use and how you apply it depends on the type of grass you have. Buffalo grass is picky and needs its own special fertiliser. However, for other lawns, you can go with a slow-release fertiliser or an all-purpose fertiliser.
Also, avoid fertilising when it's hot outside – when daytime temperatures reach over 30°C, for example. Wait for things to cool down. If it is warmer outside, make sure your lawns are moist before applying the fertiliser.
The best time to mow your lawn is early or late in the day to avoid burned grass tips. Warmer weather typically requires more lawn mowing because the soil is in its peak condition, accelerating the growth of your grass.
No matter your grass type, it’s best to keep the grass a bit longer in summer to keep the roots cool. (You'll also save water since longer grass means less evaporation.) For cool season grasses like perennial rye and fescue, aim for a height of around 5cm. If you have warm season grasses like buffalo and couch, aim for 2-4cm in height.
Tip: After mowing, apply a seaweed solution. It will strengthen leaf blades and help your lawn cope with the heat.
Top-dress is a mixture of soil, sand, and organic matter. When applied to the lawn's surface, it will enhance soil quality, level uneven areas, and promote healthy grass growth. It also rejuvenates the soil, provides nutrients, and encourages deep root growth, resulting in a healthier and more resilient lawn.
Apply top-dress no more than 5-10mm thick. Rub the sand or sandy loam evenly using a soil spreader. Make sure the tips of the lawn below are visible so the lawn doesn't get smothered.
