Strategies to Safeguard Your Lawn during a Heatwave - Maintain Lush Green Grass amidst This Week's Intense Heat
Lawn Survival Guide: Thriving Through Heatwaves
Worried about how your lawn will fare in the approaching heatwave? Fear not! We've gathered some topnotch advice from our go-to lawn pros to help keep your grass thriving and verdant. It's all about preventative measures that will turn your lawn into a moisture and nutrient oasis, keeping it cool, healthy, and strong against the summer heat.
1. Let it grow!
Setting the mower to a higher setting may seem counterintuitive, but it's the secret to keeping a heatwave-ready lawn. Blade height is crucial because longer grass acts as its own shade, reducing heat absorption and preserving moisture. Try to leave more than one-third of the grass height untrimmed each time you mow. And, don't forget to return the grass clippings to the lawn—they work wonders as natural mulch to protect the soil beneath.
2. Aerate, aerate, aerate!
If watering and mowing are the bread and butter of lawn care, aerating is the secret ingredient. Aerating your lawn before a heatwave can help you create those much-needed little pockets in the soil that allow water and nutrients to reach deeper grass roots, reducing the chances of the lawn becoming compacted and impeding the natural water flow. If you don't have an aerator, simply use a garden fork—or consider investing in a dedicated tool to make your life easier.
3. Go deep with watering
Ahh, watering. The lifeblood of a beautiful lawn. But, during a heatwave, it's all about doing it efficiently. Rather than watering frequently, spend your time watering deeply to encourage deeper root growth in the grass. Watering your lawn thoroughly once or twice a week is a healthier approach than watering sporadically. And, pay attention to the time of day you water—early morning or late evening is best to minimize evaporation and conserve resources.
Pro tip: A sprinkler like the Kärcher OS 3.220 Oscillating Sprinkler (£24,99 from B&Q) will help you cover any medium- to large-sized lawn quickly and easily.
Enjoy your summer, and may your lawn survive (and thrive!) with flying colors! Stay tuned for more expert advice on gardening and home improvement.
About Our Authors
Sophie KingMore than just a pretty face with a green thumb, Sophie King joined the our platform team as Gardens Editor in June 2024. Recently graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London with a degree in English, Sophie's love for gardening blossomed while writing for Grow Your Own. She positively flourishes when tending to her own gardens and has a penchant for flowering plants and yummy vegetables alike. As Gardens Editor, Sophie's mission is to uncover the latest gardening trends, share handy growing hacks, and guide readers through every space, from balconies to expansive lawns.
Lawn Care Experts
Cheryl Harper, Managing Director of Greensleeves Lawn CareWith over 20 years of experience, Greensleeves Lawn Care is a lawn care powerhouse with over 100 locations across the UK. Cheryl Harper, the company's managing director, lends her expertise to the blog, offering wisdom on everything from mowing tips to best practices for water conservation.
Chris McIlroy, Lawn Expert at The Grass PeopleChristopher McIlroy is the technical product lead and in-house lawn seed expert at The Grass People. Fresh from his degree studies, Chris specializes in sowing, mowing, and maintaining the perfect lawn—not to mention how to tackle any lawn issues homeowners may encounter. Passionate about helping grass thrive during difficult weather conditions, Chris's lawn care advice is second to none.
- To fortify your lifestyle and home-and-garden space during the next heatwave, consider incorporating gardening practices that will aid your lawn's moisture retention and nutrient intake, such as setting the mowing height higher to allow for natural shade and returning grass clippings to the lawn as mulch.
- In addition to watering methods and grass cutting techniques, remember the significance of regular aeration in promoting healthy root growth. By aerating your lawn before a heatwave, you'll create pockets in the soil for water and nutrients to reach deeper roots and maintain a lush, verdant landscape despite the summer heat.
