Ban the buzz cut.
Giving grass a close shave is the worst thing you can do. Short grass is stressed grass, more prone to weeds and browning. Allow grass to grow longer in summer and enjoy the lushness. If grass is really long, raise the blades of your mower to the highest setting and gradually reduce the height with each successive cut. And always keep mower blades sharp—torn grass edges brown quickly in summer heat.
Side trims.
Don't forget to cut the edges of the lawn before you leave for vacation as the grass can quickly grow into flower beds. Long-handled edged shears make this job much easier than crouching down with garden shears.
Grub City.
Don't let grubs and caterpillars feast on roots or grass stems from summer to fall; the activity can cause dead patches to appear. Use a biological insecticide or try watering heavily and then covering grass overnight with a sheet of black plastic. By morning, grubs may have risen to the surface where you can sweep them up and dispose of them.
Wormy messes.
Earthworms aerate the soil (good!) but leave behind small mounds of sticky soil (bad!) that can kill grass if flattened by feet or mowers. Brush up the mounds before mowing.
Sprinkle wisely.
Save water with a watering system that applies water where needed – at the roots of your plants. Set your sprinkler to water the lawn and garden only and check that water doesn't run down paths and driveways into the gutter. Does a heat wave mean 24/7 watering? NO! In hot dry weather, you need to water your lawn for only half an hour, twice a week. More often or longer just wastes money and water.
Long live your hose.
Most quality garden hoses have ultraviolet stabilizers or protectors added to the plastic, which means they may last only one or two years in the hot summer sun. Extend their life by storing the hose in the shade, and away from the driveway where a car might damage it. Store by rolling it up to remove kinks and bends. Check nozzles for blockages.
Keep bugs away.
Nothing disturbs outdoor maintenance more than getting eaten alive. Make sure you keep you and your family protected with
OFF!® Insect Repellents when gardening or watering in the summer.
OFF!® FamilyCare Insect Repellent Smooth & Dry has a unique cornstarch formula that dries on contact, leaving your skin feeling smooth & dry, unlike ordinary repellents. Containing 15% DEET, it repels mosquitoes, gnats, ticks, biting flies, chiggers and fleas.
Dance around fairy rings.
Noticed little "crop circles" – circular patches of dead grass, often with mushrooms – that just get bigger every year? Most likely, they are caused by white threadlike fungi under the soil that feeds on your grass's water and nutrients, causing it to die. Main treatment is to ensure adequate water penetration where the fungus is actively growing; to assist penetration, core the soil first with a hollow tine fork as deeply as possible.
Tired of watering?
Want a drought-tolerant grass? In warm climates choose St. Augustine or buffalo grass. Cold climates have no reliable choice, but perennial rye grass is one of the toughest, though it does require regular watering in dry periods.
Sick of grass?
Consider alternatives. For shady areas under trees, plant dead nettles, known for their striking foliage. For sunny patches try lamb's ears (thick silvery leaves and purple flowers on tall spikes). African daisies make great ground cover. Adored by cats, catmint does well in well-drained soil with full sun to part shade–ideal for rockeries or against walls. Thrift forms a low, cushion-like carpet with flowers that vary from white to crimson, making it an excellent choice for the edge of an herbaceous border.