Summer Lawn Care: Essential Tips for Fertilization and Grub Control
As summer approaches, your lawn demands special attention to stay healthy, vibrant, and free from pests. This season brings unique challenges, including the need for proper fertilization and effective grub control. Below, we outline the best practices for keeping your lawn lush and green through summer fertilization—along with how to tackle the pesky grubs that can cause serious turf damage. Understanding Summer Fertilization Fertilizing your lawn during the summer months is essential for maintaining its strength and vitality. Here’s what to consider: 1. Choose the Right Fertilizer Slow-Release Fertilizers: Opt for a slow-release formula to provide a steady supply of nutrients over time. This minimizes the risk of burning your grass during high heat. Balanced N-P-K Ratio: Look for a product with an appropriate blend of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) that supports your lawn’s needs. A higher nitrogen level encourages greener, thicker growth. 2. Timing is Everything Mid to Late Summer Applications: Fertilize in mid to late summer—generally between June and August—to help your lawn recover from heat stress and gear up for fall. Watering Matters: Always water your lawn both before and after fertilizing to help the nutrients reach the root system. Avoid fertilizing during the hottest part of the day. 3. Application Method Spread Evenly: Use a broadcast spreader to ensure consistent coverage across your yard. Post-Application Watering: After applying granular fertilizer (and grub control, if included), apply at least ½ inch of water for best results and effectiveness. Grub Control: Protecting Your Lawn Grubs—larvae of various beetles—can do major damage below the surface. Take these steps to detect and control them early: 1. Identify Grub Problems Early Signs of Infestation: Look for brown or thinning patches, wilting grass, or increased bird activity. If your lawn feels soft or spongy underfoot, you may be dealing with grubs. 2. Preventative Measures Apply Grub Control Early: Use preventative products in late spring to early summer, ideally before grub eggs hatch. Choose treatments that contain beneficial nematodes or specialized insecticides. Maintain Healthy Lawn Habits: Strong, well-cared-for lawns are naturally more resilient to pests. Keep up with proper mowing, watering, and fertilization to discourage infestations. Conclusion With the right approach to fertilization and grub control, you can enjoy a healthy, green lawn all summer long. Be proactive, follow best practices, and invest in consistent lawn care now—so your outdoor space thrives throughout the season. For personalized advice or professional lawn care support, don’t hesitate to contact Royal Lawn Service. We’re here to help you get the most out of your lawn this summer!
THE AFTERMATH OF GRUB DAMAGE – HOW DO YOU NURSE YOUR LAWN BACK TO HEALTH?
Grub infestations are unfortunately common here in Missouri. Different beetles can lay their eggs on your lawn. Then, when the larvae hatch, they’ll feed on the roots of your turf, detaching the lawn from the soil below. If your lawn was infested with grubs, you’ll need to schedule a curative grub control treatment to eliminate them from your property. However, once you’ve dealt with your grub problem, you’ll be left to deal with the damage that they caused. However, there are lawn care services you can schedule to help nurse your lawn back to health. These services include fertilization, weed control, aeration, and overseeding. Keep reading to learn more about each of these lawn care services. A fertilization service can provide your lawn with the nutrients it needs to recover from grub damage. Unfortunately, when grubs have infested your lawn, your grass will likely be damaged and you’ll need to schedule some services to help your lawn recover. Fertilization is a great lawn care service to schedule because it will nourish your lawn with nitrogen, potassium, phosphorous, and other nutrients that aid your turf in creating the strong root system necessary to grow green and healthy again. What’s more, fertilizer can also increase how resistant your lawn is to lawn diseases and insect infestations in the future, helping fend off future hiccups. Weed control can prevent weeds from stealing nutrients from your turf. The roots of your grass were harmed during the grub infestation, making it difficult for your lawn to absorb the nutrients it needs. If your lawn is already struggling to recover, weeds can then swoop in and take advantage of the decreased competition, absorbing the nutrients and resources the roots of your grass need. To prevent weeds from conquering your lawn, it’s best to invest in a weed control treatment to fend off weeds. Companies will utilize both pre-emergent treatments and post-emergent treatments to prevent weeds from sprouting and to treat outbreaks. An aeration service can help resources flow to the roots of your grass. One of the most helpful things you can do to help your lawn recover from grub damage is to schedule an aeration service. That’s because this service is designed to loosen compacted soil in your lawn, and in doing so, will leave your lawn riddled with tiny holes. Nutrients and other resources can then use the holes to more easily reach the roots of your grass. With increased access to nutrients and other resources, your lawn will have everything it needs to get back on the path to recovery. An overseeding service can fill in bare or patchy areas that were caused by grub damage. A grub infestation can leave your lawn with bare or patchy spots. Luckily, your lawn can recover! Schedule an overseeding service to help thicken your turf after a grub infestation. By spreading grass seeds across your lawn, your lawn will be filled with new, green grass that will fill in any bare or patchy areas that were caused by grub damage. You should always schedule an overseeding service directly after your lawn has been aerated so the seeds can fall into the holes created during the aeration process. Call us today to schedule our fertilization, weed control, aeration, and overseeding services! A grub infestation can destroy anyone’s beautiful lawn. If you were unlucky enough to experience an infestation, there are fortunately ways to help your lawn recover. Call us today at (816) 886-1121 to schedule our lawn care services! Sam’s Turf Care, a trusted lawn care services company, performs fertilization, weed control, aeration, and overseeding services in Independence, Gladstone, North Kansas City, and nearby areas in Missouri. We’re eager to help you recover your lawn’s health and beauty.