The summertime is one of the most pleasant parts of the year in Colorado, but it’s also known for having some pretty high temperatures. In a climate that’s already naturally arid, this seasonal heat can wreak havoc on soil, grass, and other plants. We may be able to protect ourselves from UV exposure, but there’s no sunscreen designed to shield your yard from harm. There are, however, some tried-and-true best practices for summer lawn care! 

Read on to learn how you can keep your yard green and healthy this summer, from the mild days of June to the dog days of August. If you live in the Western Slope region, please contact Green-Way Pro for more information on our professional landscaping services in Montrose, Grand Junction, and surrounding areas!

June Lawn Care

The weather in Colorado is still fairly mild in the early part of June, which makes it the perfect time to give some TLC to your lawn’s root system. Without a robust and deep root system, grass struggles to retain water and essential nutrients, so you’ll want to complete these lawn maintenance tasks when the soil still has enough moisture to benefit from them.

In the first or second week of June, give your yard a deep watering session, then refrain from watering it for a brief “stress” period. The temporary lack of moisture encourages the roots to grow deeper and fare better in the event of another dry spell. Ideally, you’ll want about an inch of water coverage on all areas of your lawn. This is easier and more energy-efficient to accomplish with a sprinkler system, so if all you have is a hose, it may be time to look into options for lawn irrigation. 

In the third week of June, you’ll want to mow your lawn just enough to trim the top-most blades. You don’t want to cut it too short, since a lower mowing height actually reduces the root system’s ability to absorb, retain, and distribute nutrients. By contrast, a higher mowing height — or taller blades of grass — increases the surface area of grass and boosts sunlight absorption and moisture retention, giving your lawn the energy and water it needs to grow a hearty root system.

Lastly, the final week of June is the prime time to fertilize your yard. Choose a low-nitrogen fertilizer with the appropriate pH profile and nutrients (such as potassium and phosphorus), as this will provide your lawn with the natural ingredients it needs to develop a strong root system that survives the summer.

July Lawn Care

July will be here before you know it, but you can prepare with these tips for the upcoming heat. Although you may be tempted to water your lawn every day, this shouldn’t be necessary. Instead of watering your grass based on a set routine, water it based on the condition of your yard and the moisture level of the soil. Since the temperatures are hotter in July, it’s best to apply 2” of water coverage rather than the 1” standard used in June. A healthy lawn will need to be watered less frequently because its roots can withstand more moisture stress periods. 

If you walk on your lawn and notice that the grass is holding onto the impression of your footprints, or if the turf appears to have a bluish gray tint, this is an indication that your root system isn’t doing so great and could benefit from an improved irrigation system. Green-Way Pro has 20+ years of experience in sprinkler installation, so we’re happy to help answer any questions you may have on watering your lawn, and we can also design a custom irrigation solution for your yard!

August Lawn Care

August isn’t always as hot as July, but it’s a more common time for droughts and water shortages to occur. Your first instinct may be to water your lawn several times per day, but this isn’t necessary and may actually harm your lawn in the long run. Most yards in the Western Slope are turfed with Kentucky Bluegrass, a robust and drought-resistant kind of grass that comes in more than 25 varieties in Colorado alone! 

In August, it’s not uncommon for a Kentucky Bluegrass lawn to go “dormant,” or to turn slightly yellow. If you see this, don’t be concerned right away. Continue a moderate watering routine for several weeks and your lawn should begin to green again when the temperatures begin to cool off. Fertilization isn’t needed at this time. 

If your turf doesn’t make a comeback before the start of September, it may indicate a pest problem or a disease in your lawn’s root system. To give your grass the greatest chance of surviving and thriving, you should contact a local lawn care company with professional landscapers on its team. 

Work With A Pro to Protect Your Lawn This Summer

The summer is a lovely time in Colorado, but if you’re worried about how your lawn will fare when the temperatures start to rise, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Green-Way Pro in the Western Slope today! Green-Way Pro staffs only the most qualified and knowledgeable property management experts, and because we have two decades of experience serving Front Range communities, we assure you that we can take care of your pest problems and root system struggles. Whether you’re in Fruita, Olathe, Montrose, or Durango, we’re the team to call for summer lawn care solutions in the Mile High State.