With the Fourth of July approaching, summer BBQs are about to be in full swing. Is your backyard ready for its busy season? With a little proactive yard maintenance, you'll be able to enjoy a pristine lawn all summer long. Here's what you need to know about summer lawn care in Arizona.
Warm weather grasses like Bermuda grass and paspalum thrive in humidity, yet still require preparation before the desert storms roll in. The best way to maximize the benefits of seasonal weather is to first open up the blades with a power rack. Dethatching machine rentals are easy to operate and cost approximately $40 - $60 depending upon the duration needed. The idea is to decrease the lawn's volume without digging into the soil. While methods vary, take the foolproof approach by dethatching the lawn from opposite directions and mowing up the remains. Your end goal is to give your grass maximum exposure to sunlight while allowing stolons to take root. While it's not necessarily catastrophic to skip this step, lawn professionals deem it wasteful as overgrowth will simply sit with nowhere to go until it's mowed up.
As monsoon storms increase the amount of moisture in the air, you want to be cautious not to over water your lawn. Adjust automatic sprinklers to come on twice per week (and up to four during dry spells). Many Arizonans choose to water less frequently—even during long periods of heat—and that's okay. It comes down to a matter of aesthetics as the grass won't completely die off. Rather it will go dormant and appear less healthy and green until it's revived by a consistent watering schedule. Additionally, you might consider giving your lawn a boost by applying fertilizer one to two weeks prior to those storm clouds rolling in. New homeowners should take time to research an appropriate fertilizer and application schedule for their specific grass type.
Don't wait until the last minute to prepare the rest of your outdoor space for BBQ guests. If you have a large yard, write down a few to-do items and tackle them one weekend at a time. You'll have enough to worry about in the final days leading up to your party from entertainment to catering; don't add unnecessary stress. Be mindful of the tasks you tend to put off like cleaning the grill and pulling those pesky weeds that love to take up residence in your front yard. Turn the kids' chores into a friendly competitive game to motivate them for the summer fun to come.
Waiting until the week of your Fourth of July party to tackle the lawn might seem enticing, but as seasoned procrastinators know, it will turn out to be a bigger headache than it's worth. Plan ahead for your upcoming BBQ (and other summer events) by marking the calendar and breaking large tasks into smaller, more manageable jobs. All the time spent laboring and sweating under the Arizona sun will be worth it once you crack into your first chilled beer surrounded by friends and family…and one beautifully manicured lawn.
Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.
Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don't find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.
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