Lawn Tips for June

The first lawns that turn yellow in summer are usually those that are mowed the shortest.  Mow your turf at a tall height (preferably three inches).  The taller your lawn in the summer, the better.  A tall lawn develops a deep, drought tolerant root system.  The tall the grass blades, the more shade will be cast to the ground, thereby reducing heat stress.

Let grass clippings fall to the ground.  The clippings will act as a mulch to keep the soil cool and moist.

Most lawns won’t need fertilizer until Labor Day. The exception is with heavily irrigated lawns, which can benefit from a light fertilization in summer.  Organic fertilizers (such as Miloganite) are less likely to burn lawns compared to chemical fertilizers in summer.

Mushrooms sometimes emerge in lawns.  Don’t worry—these mushrooms are simply decaying organic matter in the soil (usually old tree roots).  When the tree roots are fully rotted, which can take five years or longer, the mushrooms will stop.  For now, just rake the mushrooms.  No sprays can control this.