Maintaining Your Yard In The Hot DeLand Summer

Everyone enjoys the look of a nice healthy lawn. Not only do lawns increase the value of a property, they also cool the air, combat glare and noise, and reduce soil erosion. Perhaps most importantly, a healthy lawn actively filters and traps sediments and pollutants that could otherwise contaminate ground and/or surface water. Other than mowing it on a weekly basis during the summer, how do you get the best possible lawn for your grass species?

Fertilizing in Florida

​A soil test on your property can help determine what, if any, additional nutrients your lawn needs. Contact your county extension office for information on how to submit soil samples.

In the DeLand area, it’s better to fertilize only during the growing season — during the spring, summer, and fall. Lawns in most of the state go dormant during the winter months and should not be fertilized.

It’s important to use your fertilizer responsibly. When fertilizing near water, leave a 10′ strip around the water as a buffer zone. This unfertilized strip will protect the water body from nutrient leaching or runoff from the fertilized grass.

​Mowing in Florida

Though it may seem like the bane of your existence during the summer months, mowing is actually one of the most important home lawn management practices. It’s important to keep up a regular mowing schedule during the summer to maintain your lawn’s maximum health. Here’s a few tips. 

• Never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade. Scalping (mowing too low) can badly stress your yard, leaving it vulnerable to disease, drought, and insect or weed invasion.
• Leave grass clippings on the ground. These actually act as compost, returning valuable nutrients to the lawn. They can reduce your fertility requirements and add organic matter to the soil.
• Keep mower blades sharp. Dull mowers tear leaf blades, stressing the grass and making it more vulnerable to pests and disease.
• Do not mow when your lawn is wet. Wet grass clippings keep your mower blades from making the cleanest possible cut.

How Much To Water Your Lawn in Florida

More lawns are damaged by overwatering than by any other cultural practice. Overwatering actually keeps your grass’s roots in the top few inches of soil, which reduces your lawn’s ability to tolerate stress. A healthy lawn has deep roots. To train your roots to grow more deeply, follow these tips:

• Water less frequently for longer periods of time. Watering less often will encourage your grass’s roots to grow deep into the soil. During times of active growth (spring, summer, and fall), lawns generally need watering once or twice a week. During the winter, you may only need to irrigate every 2-3 weeks in Florida. Remember that some of this irrigation will come from rainfall.
• Water the proper amount. In most of Florida, this means applying ½ — ¾” of water during a single irrigation session. Do not water to the point of runoff (excess water that your grass cannot absorb). Because of the differences in irrigation systems, the time required to soak the ground to the proper depth will vary.
• Irrigate around sunrise. Irrigating in the early morning will allow the leaf blades to fully dry out during the day. Irrigating in the late afternoon or evening leaves the leaf blades wet, which may increase the grass’s susceptibility to disease.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful yard that will keep your neighbors talking!