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There are few things more satisfying than a lush, green lawn. But what if all you see outside your window is a lackluster landscape punctuated by patches of dry, brown grass? “Embrace the brown,” insists Bob Mann, technical expert for the National Association of Landscape Professionals, and one of the nation’s leading lawn care experts.
“Your lawn has a built-in protection mechanism: dormancy. It reacts to lack of moisture and excessive heat by stopping growth. Unfortunately this also means that it turns brown for a while until things get cooler and wetter. In almost all cases, your lawn will wake up just fine.”
Of course, the lawn is going to require TLC in order to reach its full potential this summer, so we asked Mann for a breakdown of the steps you need to take right now to set it up for success. These three early-summer lawn care tips and five essential products ensure that the grass is greener (and fuller and healthier) on your side of the fence all season long. Let the cookouts commence!
1. Irrigate with intention.
“Make no sudden moves at this time of year! If you’ve been irrigating all along, keep doing it – but make sure you are watering wisely and only when needed,” says Mann. “Likewise, if you haven’t been watering regularly, starting when it gets super hot isn’t going to help all that much.”
He also encourages watering your lawn deeper and less frequently versus the other way around. When you water less frequently, roots respond by drilling deeper into the soil looking for water. When you water more deeply, it gets into the soil and is less apt to evaporate.
In the warmer weather especially, the NALP recommends watering the lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset to minimize evaporation. Put the task of watering on autopilot with the set-it-and-forget-it Rain Bird 32ETI In-Ground Automatic Sprinkler System Kit, an Amazon customer favorite that’s 55% off right now! Fans say it’s easy to install and adjust. “All the hours I have spent standing watering a berm of evergreens is now a thing of the past. LOVE THIS!” wrote one.
$130 $290 at Amazon
2. Don’t over-mow.
“As a general rule, taller is better,” says Mann. Back in the fall, the expert admonished us not to “scalp” our lawns, and the same applies now. You may like a close shave in the warmer months, but your lawn doesn’t. Cutting the grass too short eliminates the tips of the blades, which conduct photosynthesis.
“Using the highest setting on your mower will help preserve roots, keeping the soil surface cooler and less prone to weed germination,” Mann recommends.
Grab yourself a hardworking mower that gets the job done right this summer. The Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1 Electric Corded Lawn Mower is one of Amazon’s top sellers, with more than 7,000 five-star reviews. And it’s on sale for under $200, which is a rarity for a brand-name mower with this kind of power.
“Very convenient and easy for a 69-year-old semi-disabled female (5’5″ tall 168 lbs) to operate,” wrote a reviewer. “Just push the button, pull up on the handle lever and off you go.”
$165 $200 at Amazon
3. Ward off weed and insect damage.
“Scouting is key in the summer to detect damaging populations of insects, weeds and diseases” says Mann. He recommends hiring a professional to treat and prevent agents of (lawn) chaos — “they know what to look for and how to repair the damage,” he notes.
But if you’re determined to go the DIY route, “educate yourself of which weeds, insects and diseases you’re dealing with, so that you can select the proper product and technique to get effective control.”
Top pick for weed control: Eco Garden Pro Organic Vinegar Weed Killer
Mann says the best way to ward off weeds is to maintain a lawn that’s so thick, there’s no room for them to grow. If you’re dealing with an overgrown situation, though, consider Eco Garden Pro Organic Vinegar Weed Killer, which is totally safe for kids and pets. It uses a combination of natural white vinegar, organic rock salt, biodegradable plant activators and other all-natural components to tackle crabgrass, dandelions, chickweed and more. And yes, it’s on sale! Save nearly 30% with an on-page coupon.
$26 $35 at Amazon
Top pick for insect control: Wondercide EcoTreat Outdoor Pest Control Spray Concentrate
For pests, Amazon shoppers adore Wondercide EcoTreat Outdoor Pest Control Spray Concentrate. Once again all-natural and chemical-free, this formulation uses essential oils to eliminate all kinds of critters, from chinch bugs to Japanese beetles, that are notorious for nibbling on the grass you work hard to grow. Right now, you can get a 16-ounce bottle for 20% off.
$40 $50 at Amazon
Top pick for disease control: Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide
The top-rated Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide banishes lawn fungus and treats 26 types of lawn diseases, including Brown Patch, Stem and Stripe Rust, Powdery Mildew and more gross backyard plagues you truly don’t want to deal with. Grab a 10-pound bag — enough to cover 5,000 square feet — on sale right now.
$19 $23 at Amazon
Looking for more great Amazon deals? Check these out:
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Insignia 50-inch Class F30 Series 4K Smart Fire TV, $290 with on-page coupon (was $400), amazon.com
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2020 Apple MacBook Air Laptop, $929 (was $999), amazon.com
Video game deals:
Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PlayStation 5, $30 (was $50), amazon.com
Sceptre Curved 24-inch 75Hz Professional LED Monitor, $140 (was $230), amazon.com
Madden NFL 22 for PlayStation 5, $20 (was $70), amazon.com
Logitech G335 Wired Gaming Headset, $44 (was $70), amazon.com
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YoLink Mini Plug, $22 (was $30), amazon.com
Google Nest Learning Thermostat, $216 (was $249), amazon.com
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Eufy RoboVac G30 Robot Vacuum with Smart Dynamic Navigation, $230 (was $320), amazon.com
O-Cedar ProMist MAX Spray Mop, $35 (was $45), amazon.com
eufy by Anker BoostIQ RoboVac 15C, $150 (was $230), amazon.com
Dryer Vent Cleaner Kit Vacuum Hose Attachment, $11 (was $20), amazon.com
Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet, $139 (was $200), amazon.com
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Cuero DHK 18-inch Vintage Handmade Leather Travel Messenger Bag, $73 (was $95), amazon.com
Hilor Women’s One Piece Swimsuit, $36 (was $45), amazon.com
Prettygarden Women’s Summer Casual Boho Dress, $33 (was $49), amazon.com
Merokeety Women’s Summer Striped Short Sleeve T-Shirt Dress, $35 with on-page coupon (was $46), amazon.com
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Bishuige Women Summer T Shirt Dress, $28 with on-page coupon (was $41), amazon.com
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Kizen Digital Meat Thermometer, $14 with on-page coupon (was $20), amazon.com
Ninja IG601 Foodi XL 7-in-1 Indoor Grill Combo, $196 (was $350), amazon.com
Lodge L8SK3 10-1/4-inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet, $20 (was $30), amazon.com
Mialoe Portable Blender, 19 (was $26), amazon.com
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AquaSonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush, $40 (was $60), amazon.com
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Nicwell Cordless Water Dental Flosser, $40 (was $45), amazon.com
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Mellanni Queen Sheet Set, $28 (was $50), amazon.com
Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows 2-pack, $26 with on-page coupon (was $43), amazon.com
Fern and Willow Queen Pillow 2-pack, $27.50 with coupon (was $50), amazon.com
Command Picture Hanging Strips, $3 (was $6), amazon.com
Cushy Form Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers, $26 (was $30), amazon.com
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Veva Air Purifier, $100 with on-page coupon (was $200), amazon.com
Pure Gem Single Use Disposable Blue Face Masks (pack of 100), $8 (was $20), amazon.com
iHealth No-Touch Forehead Thermometer, $20 (was $55), amazon.com
Pure Enrichment PureZone Medium-Large Room Air Purifier, $80 with on-page coupon (was $100), amazon.com
Clinitest Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test, $35 (was $50), amazon.com
Lawn and Garden:
Sun Joe TJ604E 16-inch 13.5-Amp Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator, $129 (was $169), amazon.com
Cedar Raised Planter Box with Legs, $170 with on-page coupon (was $210), amazon.com
Sun Joe SPX3000 2030 14.5-Amp Electric High Pressure Washer, $127 (was $200), amazon.com
Outland Living Rectangle Plastic Planter Box 4-pack, $60 (was $110), amazon.com
Gorilla Grip Extra Thick Water Resistant Comfortable Kneeling Pad, $20 (was $33), amazon.com
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