Keep Your Lawn Cooler by Raising Mower Height in Summer

Proper mowing practices play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy, drought-resistant lawn during the hottest months. Adjusting mower settings and following expert recommendations can help protect grass and conserve moisture when temperatures rise.

Key guidelines for summer lawn care include:

• Raise Mower Height:
  Setting the mower blade to 3.5 to 4 inches creates a natural canopy that shades the soil, reduces surface temperatures, and slows moisture evaporation.
  
  
• Sharpen Blades Regularly:
  Dull blades tear grass tips, weakening the turf. Turf specialists recommend sharpening mower blades every 8 to 10 hours of use for cleaner cuts.
  
  
• Grasscycling Benefits:
  Leaving grass clippings on the lawn returns valuable nitrogen and organic matter to the soil, promoting growth without increasing thatch buildup.
  
  
• Professional Mowing Services:
  Scheduling routine mowing with a trusted landscape maintenance Clifton VA provider ensures consistent lawn height and healthier turf with no guesswork.
  
  
• Comprehensive Lawn Upgrades
  For larger improvements, landscaping firms specializing in landscaping Clifton VA projects can enhance soil quality, install efficient irrigation systems, and design planting beds that support resilient turf.

By raising mower height and adopting best mowing practices, homeowners can reduce heat stress on their lawns, preserve soil moisture, and improve overall turf health throughout the summer season. Want to learn more? Take a look at our latest blog post: Drought-Resistant Turf: Best Tall Fescue Practices for Hot, Dry Summers

Sun-Savvy Tree Care: Summer Pruning, Hydration, and Mulch Essentials

As daylight peaks and temperatures climb, trees must balance vigorous photosynthesis against moisture loss and heat stress. Without timely attention, leaves can wilt, pests may invade, and heavy limbs risk snapping during summer storms. Adopting a mid‑season care routine safeguards tree health and keeps your yard cool and inviting from June through Labor Day.

Early Summer Pruning

Late spring through early summer is the golden window—sap flow has slowed since April, yet trees still have time to seal wounds before fall. Focus on removing crossing, rubbing, or dead branches, but never exceed one‑quarter of the living crown. Always make clean cuts just outside the branch collar to promote rapid callus formation. Any major canopy alterations, especially near utility lines, should be handled by a certified arborist.

Hydration Strategies

Skip short sprinkler cycles in favor of a slow 30–40 minute drip at the tree’s drip line to penetrate compacted soil. Probe six inches down with a screwdriver: if it feels dry or warm, it’s time to water. For newly planted specimens, build a shallow 3‑foot berm around the root zone and irrigate twice weekly in the cooler morning hours to minimize evaporation.

Mulch Management

Apply a three‑inch layer of organic mulch—shredded bark, leaf mold, or compost‑enriched chips—from three inches away from the trunk stretching to the drip line. This natural blanket conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and feeds soil microbes. In mid‑July, rake and fluff the mulch to break up water‑repellent mats and improve aeration.

Stay Vigilant

Conduct weekly inspections for storm‑split limbs, fungal fruiting bodies, or sudden leaf drop. While minor issues can often be managed with targeted pruning, complex removals and large‑limb repairs are safest in the hands of insured professionals.

For a complete, step‑by‑step summer tree care plan, dive into our full guide: Summer Tree Health: Pruning, Hydration, and Mulch Strategies for Lasting Shade.