Summer Lawn Care Checklist

Summertime is the time to think about backyard cookouts, lazy days at the beach, school vacations and outdoor living. To make outdoor living more enjoyable for the entire family, it is important to properly care for your lawn. A well cared for lawn looks attractive, is easier to maintain and provides a better environment for your friends and loved ones. While summer lawn care does not have to be difficult or time intensive, there are a few steps that should be taken to make sure a lawn remains healthy.


Check and Service Equipment


Before starting to work on the lawn, make sure your outdoor power equipment is in working order. Take your lawn mower in for a professional tune up to replace worn spark plugs, change the oil and install a new filter. A lawn mower’s blade wears over time, and it is a good idea to have it sharpened before the heavy mowing of summer begins. In addition to your mower, check your other lawn maintenance equipment for damage or replacement needs. Replace the oil, add gas and change out any lines that show excessive wear.


Fertilize & Check for Lawn Insects


After you have cared for and conditioned your equipment, it is time to start thinking about the yard. Apply lawn fertilizer to your entire yard and over seed any areas that show damage. The late spring and early summer months are also a great time to start considering insect control, and yards should be treated for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes to prevent health risks to your pets and family. There are several products on the market that effectively eliminate insect problems, or a professional company can be brought in to treat your yard and provide follow up maintenance.


Water Efficiently


Water is essential to your yard year round, and it is especially important during the sweltering months that summer brings. If you do not have an irrigation system, consider installing one. While the initial investment may be high, an irrigation system offers the perfect option for keeping your lawn properly moistened, and it can save you money by allowing you to water in the earliest hours of the morning before the heat evaporates your efforts. If you are not able to invest in an irrigation system, make sure to water your lawn on a regular basis with hoses, use barrels to capture and store rainwater and a high quality set of sprinklers. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid evaporation. If your area is windy, consider increasing your watering efforts.


Mulch


Early summer is a great time to replace mulch in your flowerbeds and around trees. Mulch helps to retain moisture, and a hardy bed of it will reduce the amount that you have to water. Mulch also helps to reduce heat stress to the roots of new plants in your garden, and it is an attractive finishing touch for your yard. Mulch comes in a variety of colors, and it can be purchased and delivered by the pallet to save money. You can also create your own mulch with a wood chipper.


Mow High


When it comes to mowing in the summer, allow your grass to grow high. Set your mower blade to one or one and a half inches higher to help your grass survive through the heat. Taller grass will shade your soil, reduce water evaporation and inhibit the growth of weeds and crabgrass. Cutting your grass too low can harm your yard. It is not necessary to mow more than once a week.


Check Equipment Often


As you continue to work on your yard through the summer, make sure to eyeball your lawn equipment from time to time. Check the blade of your mower for excessive wear, chipping or other damage. Also make sure to check oil levels and add more whenever necessary. Since your equipment gets a lot of use through the summer months, it is beneficial to do this at least once a month.


Taking these small steps will keep your equipment in good working condition and make caring for your yard an easier task to accomplish. Your family will enjoy spending time in your outdoor living space, and you will help your lawn and garden thrive throughout the hot summer months.


Whether your job is large or small, Imperial Services can make finding Outdoor Power Equipment fast and easy. We have the newest lineup of zero-turn, self-propelled, and walk behind mowers, along with a huge inventory of lawn tractors. Imperial Services  represents the greatest names in Outdoor Power, so if you’re looking for a chain saw, trimmer, edger, or blower, we have the proper tools to fit your needs. We stock many OEM Replacement Parts which are ready to ship. Feel free to contact us at 
978-670-6016
or via email, imperialkam@msn.com

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