Heather it’s a barbecue and drinks with friends out on the patio or a spirited game of football in your backyard, summer conjures up plans for friendly get-togethers and fun backyard parties. Not only is this a great opportunity to be with friends, but it’s also a perfect time to show off the lawn that you’re so proud of. Maybe your lawn is not quite there yet? Here are some lawn care tips to keep you excited about summer entertaining in your backyard!

Lawn care tips for an entertainment worthy yard

As you start planning your summer social calendar, here are some lawn cares tips that can help you achieve a lawn you’ll love to show off to your guests:

• Mow and water your lawn regularly. Basic maintenance in the summer can be tedious, but it is absolutely necessary in order to give your lawn the chance to thrive. One of the most common mistakes is not mowing frequently enough. Knowing when and how to mow—and doing so regularly—minimize the chances of damaging your lawn. 

• Irrigation. Watering your lawn is perhaps the easiest step to take care of on your own. Proper watering is an important factor; it’s not just about how much water to use, but when to water as well. Be sure to water your lawn weekly, as well as at the first sign of drought.
• Keep your lawn free from debris. Another part of lawn care that is often overlooked is removing dead leaves and other debris to give room for the lawn to breathe and grow properly. Grass clippings and other debris can lead to heavy thatch accumulation, which can keep your lawn from receiving the right amount of water and nutrients, and can prevent your lawn from growing.
• Watch out for lawn damaging insects. Most species are at their peak around summertime, when the weather is warm and they come out to wreak havoc. Unfortunately, while some lawn damaging insects are only interested in your lawn, other pests—like fire ants—may be more interested in your summer get-together guests. So before guests arrive, be sure that your backyard is properly treated for lawn damaging insects that could put a damper on your festivities and cause harm to your guests.
• Fertilize regularly. Fertilization is one of the most important parts of lawn care, providing much needed nutrients to your soil and allowing your grass to grow green and lush. Therefore, it’s important to find a company that includes fertilization among its regularly scheduled lawn care services.

why is lawn care important?

Do you know why lawn care is so important, though? It isn’t just about the green grass. It’s about our health, our surroundings and the environment. For example:

• Grass cools surrounding areas, eliminating up to 50% of heat through transpiration and acts as a sort of miniature air conditioner for your turf.
• Turfgrass also acts as a water filter, helping to clean up our urban environment.
• A 2,500-square-foot lawn produces enough oxygen for a family of four for one year.
• A healthy root system prevents invasive pests, weeds and stress due to heat, cold or drought.
• A healthy lawn also prevents water run-off and encourages the growth of beneficial organisms.
• Lawns are natural air filters, collecting dust and dirt, and trapping 12 million tons annually in the U.S.
• Healthy lawns pull in greenhouse gases as they grow and reduce carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels.

• Consistent fertilization. Following a consistent plan with nutrient-rich fertilizers is directly related to important lawn care factors such as grass color, turfgrass density, rapid growth, quick recovery from stresses and disease, and the lawn’s ability to withstand stressful conditions.
• Preventive insect control. It’s important that lawn care includes not just treatment for infested lawns, but preventive measures for lawns located in regions that are susceptible to lawn damaging insects such as white grubs, armyworms and fire ants. It’s also crucial to know not just what kind of treatment to use, but also when to treat the lawn.
• Effective weed control. Understanding the most difficult weeds to control and how to properly and systematically get rid of them for good is an important aspect of science-based lawn care solutions that work not just immediately, but over time as well.
• Turf disease treatment. Lawns affected by various types of fungi or disease will regain health and lushness only with the right kind of treatment. But without understanding the science behind the disease, will you be able to treat your lawn effectively? For instance, brown patch is caused by a soil-borne microorganism, which makes treatment difficult. Without knowing that, you would not know what level of treatment to use.
• Aeration and over seeding. These services are designed to not only improve the appearance of your lawn over time, but they also help the ground absorb nutrients and moisture while encouraging deeper root growth. This will help improve your lawn’s density and increase its ability to fight off pests and disease.