Tips To Keep Your Sunny Lawn Healthy And Green

All lawns love plenty of sun, right? Wrong. It's true that there can be too much of a good thing, and if your lawn gets too much sunlight each day, its health can deteriorate quickly. It will begin to look unhealthy and may dry up and develop a "scorched" appearance. On the other hand, a lawn that gets too much shade won't get all of the nutrients it needs from sunlight. It will start to thin out and have stunted growth. Most grass used for lawns need between four and six hours of direct sunlight each day, although some shade-tolerant grasses, such as ryegrass and St. Augustine grass, can survive with less.

If you want to prevent lawn burn in the summer and ensure your lawn looks impressive, you need to take care of it correctly. If it gets too much sun, there are a few things you can do to prevent issues so that it keeps looking its best regardless. This includes watering it at the right time, cutting it to the right length, and using the right fertilizers and lawn care products on it.

To keep your lawn healthy when getting too much sun, ensure it gets plenty of water. A summer lawn usually needs about a 1/2 inch of water every two to three days. Be sure to water your lawn at the ideal time, and don't let it get too much. Water it during the cooler times of the day rather than when the sun is at its hottest. Ideally, add water in the morning so that it will evaporate as the day goes on. Watering in the evening may allow it to sit and encourage disease. 

Also, provide your lawn with more shade if it's particularly hot and the sun has been causing damage. One of the best ways to do this is to simply let your grass grow a bit longer. Keeping a warm season grass at about two to two and a half inches and a cool season grass at three to three and a half inches is ideal since this will provide the soil with a bit more shade. Ensure you use the appropriate fertilizers when fertilizing your lawn in the summer. Choose fertilizers and lawn treatments specifically formulated for lawns that get plenty of sun. When dealing with sun damage, stay off your lawn as much as possible. Protect your lawn during summer entertaining by creating temporary pathways, rotating lawn furniture to different spots, and aerating the lawn.

There are many symptoms to look for when determining whether your lawn is getting too much sun. Most of all, you'll notice dry, barren spots and patches. The grass may begin to yellow or turn brown and have a scorched appearance, lacking the green vibrance of a healthy lawn. If you notice any of these signs, it's time to take action and implement some of the tips listed above. 

On the other hand, be aware that an overabundance of sun isn't the only thing that can cause your lawn to look dry and patchy. Your lawn may also appear unhealthy due to under-watering, pest problems, or disease. It may also result from your mower's blades being too dull. Dull blades can damage and tear the grass rather than cutting it properly. This can also make it easier for disease to take hold. The overuse of fertilizer can also cause burns and lead to a scorched appearance. Finally, allowing pets to urinate on your lawn can also cause problems. This adds excess nitrogen to your lawn and can cause damage. Any of these things can lead to a dry and unhealthy appearance, so identify which issue you're dealing with before taking steps to fix it. These problems will require different solutions than a lawn getting too much sun each day.