Lawn Recovery

By the time July rolls around, we've usually spent a lot of time in our yards with our trusty lawn mowers.

However, summer cookouts, play dates for the kids, and regular use by the family dog can leave your yard beat up by this time. Plus, the stress of summer weather can cause some damage.

But with a lot of more summer left to enjoy your lawn, what are you to do?

Not to worry! We've got some simple tips to keep your lawn looking great all summer long.

Recovering from Heavy Traffic

A lot of foot traffic is one of your lawn's worst enemies. But we don't spend so much time maintaining our grass just to look at it. We want to be able to enjoy it as well.

Your grass will take some abuse from an outdoor party or BBQ. However, there are steps you can take before and after the fun begins:

1. Mow your grass two or three days prior to the party
2. The next day, water significantly
3. The morning after the party, water significantly again and wait as long as possible to mow again

Together, these steps will give your grass the time it needs to heal itself.

Recovering from Environmental Issues

All sorts of naturally occurring problems can cause your lawn to develop spots from time to time:

• Drought
• Insect damage
• Fungi 

In each case, the answer is most likely going to involve water, fertilizer, or some sort of seed.

Recovering from Drought

In hot climates with watering restrictions, the effects of drought are pretty much inevitable. In the heat of the summer, starting from the top, blades of grass will shrink and wilt.

Following proper watering techniques is helpful in regular weather and essential in dry times.

Making sure your lawn gets complete coverage from your sprinklers is key to consistently healthy grass. It's better to give your lawn one long soak at a time, rather than several smaller waterings.

Recovering from Insect Damage

Insect damage can usually be identified by an unsightly, spreading brown patch on your lawn. The most common lawn pests include grubs, mites, and earwigs.

The best way to deal with insects is to choose a specially-formulated fertilizer or pesticide. If you use a pesticide, apply it conservatively and also keep all pets away at least until it has dried.

Recovering from Lawn Fungus

Lawn fungus is tricky. It can just as easily be the result of overwatering as it could be the result of drought. One tip for avoiding lawn fungus is to water only as much as necessary.

Fungi might appear as mushrooms, or they might be as subtle as brown rings in your grass. Fungi spread easily, so try to not walk all over infected areas. The easiest remedy is to feed your lawn with an organic, slow-release fertilizer. Other options include applying fungicide to infected areas or dethatching your lawn.

Lawn Spreaders for Healthy Grass

In a lot of cases, improving the health of your lawn can be as simple as applying fertilizer or pesticide. But it's not like you're just going to grab a handful of it and throw it your yard.

The best, most consistent way to treat your lawn is with a spreader. Whether it's tow-behind or walk-behind, you can ensure you cover all your lawn by taking passes up and down your lawn the way you would with a mower.

NEXT: 6 Tips for Easy Landscaping