Arizona Backyard Design Ideas

March 28th, 2025

The natural beauty of Arizona is undeniable but the unrelenting summer sun and the lack of moisture can make designing your backyard a bit of a challenge. For this reason, it is often best to work with Mother Nature rather than against her. Here are just a few Arizona backyard design ideas that can help transform a boring dirt lot into a relaxing backyard space:

Arizona backyard design ideas

Use Native Plants

What better place to start than with the plants that have already proven themselves in this rugged environment? For ground cover there are the daleas – the black, bush and weeping varieties are all native to the state. A little height can be found with the bee brush, the flame honeysuckle and the desert hackberry. For some color, add the yellow, red and Mexican varietals of the bird of paradise species. Finally, larger plants that are still highly drought tolerant such as the flattop buckwheat and the guayacan make excellent focal points for any Arizona landscape. For more, check out our article Best Native Arizona Plants to Use in Your Lawn Landscaping.

Consider a Xeriscape

Essentially, this environmentally-friendly landscaping technique aims to significantly reduce or even completely eliminate the need for water in the home backyard. The idea is to use boulders, crushed stone and other non-living material to establish the décor of the area and then just highlight areas with sculpture or other art as well as low-maintenance fauna such as moss on the pathways, potted plants in key areas and a variety of cacti. In addition, the best xeriscapes will include rain catches that can be used to collect rainfall and water the area without having any environmental impact at all. Xeriscapes are one of the mot popular Arizona backyard design ideas because this technique saves a ton of water and looks stunning.

Add Shade Screens

It is truly amazing how a little shade can improve the temperament of you, your family and your guests in the hot Arizona sun. In addition to dividing up your backyard space and creating a little privacy, backyard screens can also bring a significant amount of aesthetic value to your outdoor space. Whether you choose neutrally colored ones or those with a distinctive theme, screens afford plenty of versatility while still shading you from the rays of the sun. Eminently flexible, they can be moved around when the sun shifts or create separate spaces when entertaining.

Create a Garden Oasis

Your backyard should be a refuge from the outside world. By using the above three ideas, you can create a mini-oasis in your backyard. Simply, designate a space with shade screens, landscape appropriately and install a few fragrant and visually stimulating plants. A backyard oasis need not be complicated – in fact, its best when you keep it simple.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

Image Credit: Jason Hollinger

Guide: 15-15-15 Fertilizer on Arizona Grass

March 28th, 2025

15-15-15 fertilizer is an excellent choice for sod lawns in Arizona. You’ll want to follow best practices to achieve optimal results. First, let’s get into the basics of this fertilizer. Then we will go over tips on how to apply it to your lawn for the best results.

npk fertilizer

What is 15-15-15 Fertilizer?

All fertilizers are defined by a set of three numbers with hyphens. This describes the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, also known as the NPK ratio. 15-15-15 fertilizer is a fertilizer that contains equal parts of each element. The easiest way to think of fertilizer is this; fertilizer is plant food.

What is the Best Use for 15-15-15 Fertilizer?

15-15-15 is the best option when you’re installing new sod in Arizona because the soil in Arizona naturally has little to no phosphorous content.

Which Sod Responds Best to 15-15-15 Fertilizer?

Any sod variety that you choose for your lawn will work well with 15-15-15 fertilizer. It is the best option for new sod that isn’t yet established and hasn’t yet taken root. The equal amounts of NPK helps your lawn to take root, grow strong and stay healthy.

Established lawns, on the other hand, require different ratios of NPK. Why? Because as the sod matures, the nitrogen levels in the soil change. As a result, you will need to apply a different ratio of NPK to the soil. This will help to produce lush and healthy lawns.

Midiron, Tifway, and Tifgreen sod varieties, which are often used on home lawns in Arizona, tend to be higher in nitrogen. They also have a medium phosphorous content, and have a medium-to-high amount of potassium. For these types of grasses, a 3-1-1 fertilizer, fed every four to six weeks, is generally optimal for established lawns.

Certain types of sod don’t require as much nitrogen. St. Augustine sod, for example, shouldn’t be given too much nitrogen during the fertilization process. This is because too much nitrogen will make St. Augustine grow very thick. When that happens, thatch builds up. Thatch is “a layer of organic matter that accumulates on a lawn around the base of the grass plants. Thatch is a combination of living and dead plant matter including crowns, stolons, rhizomes, and roots.” (Source: Wikipedia). St. Augustine sod can be prone to disease if it accumulates too much thatch. Once this grass is established, a 1-1-1 or 1-2-2 ratio is recommended. These fertilizers will give your grass plenty of color without a lot of growth.

What Else Should You Know About 15-15-15 Fertilizer?

More is not always better. Keep in mind that the Arizona climate can sometimes result in your grass being burnt if you’re not careful. Too much fertilizer, or fertilizer with a high nitrogen content, can result in scorching or blemishing your lawn. This can be expensive to repair. Salt is often in fertilizers too. Salt can contribute to burning your lawn once the sun and heat go to work, if you’re not applying the proper amount of fertilizer.

It’s also very important to be mindful of the way in which you’re spreading your fertilizer. It is incredibly essential that you spread your fertilizer evenly throughout your lawn. Uneven distribution can cause patches of green and yellow on your lawn. As a final tip, be sure to water your lawn regularly for best results.

To summarize, here are some of the top benefits of 15-15-15 fertilizer:

  • Gives your grass beautiful green blades
  • Formulated for use on lawns
  • Specialized for Western soils (Arizona, California, etc.)
  • Highly efficient source of N, P and K
  • Provides accurate and balanced uptake of these major nutrients into the lawn
  • Ensures good root development, thanks to the nitrogen
  • Can be easily found at any home improvement / lawn supply store
  • Great value

Now hopefully you have a better understanding of fertilizer and how it can help your lawn. For more, check out the article about the numbers on fertilizer labels on Growing a Greener World: The Numbers on Fertilizer Labels, What They Mean.

Need help understanding how to best care for your sod in Arizona? Our team at Evergreen Turf would be happy to help! Contact us today, so we can get started! Ready to order some sod? Check out all of our sod varieties here.

Lay Sod For an Instant Lush, Green Lawn in Arizona

March 28th, 2025

Brutal Arizona summer sun and a desert climate make it tough for homeowners to cultivate and maintain a healthy-looking lawn, but don’t be tempted to give up. With some essential information, time and patience, your environmentally-friendly, lush lawn will rival any golf course in the area.

Choose the right grass

arizona sod

You’ll first need to consider the type of grass you want to use. Most warm-weather climates favor bermuda or hybrid bermuda varieties that are especially drought-tolerant. Zoysiagrass is another type of grass that thrives in the hot, dry Arizona climate. Some grasses popular on golf greens, such as Tifway and Tifgreen, are chosen due to their heat tolerance, drought resistance and attractive, dark green color.

Use Arizona Sod for environmental benefits

Arizona landscaping

Many people prefer to lay Sod in Arizona rather than sowing grass seed for several reasons. An instant attractive lawn is the most commonly cited reason, but there are several environmental benefits as well. Sod’s most obvious attribute is the need for less water than a just-seeded lawn requires. Sod must be watered, of course, but it requires just a fraction of the constant watering that recently-scattered grass seeds need to germinate and grow.

Work with a local company to choose and lay the sod for your lawn for environmental as well as practical reasons. A Phoenix Sod company knows what types of grasses grow best in the salty clay soil prevalent in the area, and will be able to help you choose a grass variety that can stand up to the region’s climate as well as the wear it will get.

Water your lawn the environmental way

watering arizona landscaping

Wasting water during the summer months is one of the worst sins you can commit in Arizona. By laying sod, you eliminate the need to soak seed for days or weeks to encourage growth. You might want to consider installing an underground watering system since you’re going to be removing your lawn anyway. An irrigation system is an excellent means of preventing needless water waste and evaporation that occurs when an above-ground sprinkler system hits the wrong area.

You can also use this opportunity to break the habit of watering your lawn as soon as you come home from work. Lawns thrive and look lush and full on much less moisture if you water early in the morning. Experts say that starting to water before sunrise helps prevent loss of moisture due to sun and heat. Deep watering in the morning rather than late at night also helps prevent rot and mildew in the grass roots.

Use environmentally friendly compounds

compost bin in a garden

You may need to fertilize your soil before laying sod and you’ll definitely want to feed the grass once the sod is down. You may also need to fight pests and diseases that attack your grass. One of the most valuable fertilizers you can use is completely free and provides essential nutrients. Leave the grass clippings you’ve cut after you mow the lawn, making sure to spread them out across the lawn if they clump.

If you must fight pests or diseases, choose an organic solution rather than an herbicide or a pesticide. Surprisingly, one of the most common household products, vinegar, is an excellent herbicide. Neem oil has a reputation for killing many pests without damaging the environment. You can also shop for organic products designed for specific problems. Choosing to care for your lawn in an environmentally friendly way will help you feel good about the Sod in Phoenix that you’ve chosen for your lawn.

For more Arizona sod landscaping tips and lawn care information, visit Evergreen Turf’s website .

Select the perfect turf using our lawn selector. Once you’ve found the perfect type of grass, you can order online or by phone. Learn how to measure your lawn and how to install your new lawn with our helpful online guides.

How To Make St. Augustine Grass Thicker

March 28th, 2025

St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for many homeowners who desire a lush, green lawn. It’s not hard to understand why. When it’s healthy, it has a dense growth and the ability to thrive in hot climates. The flat, thick blades add a certain beauty and vibrancy to any yard. However, you may be wondering how to make St Augustine grass thicker. Here are the top five tips to ensure your grass is growing to its full potential.

1. Preparation

It is best to purchase St. Augustine grass in sod rolls and then have it installed around your home. Before it is installed, it’s important that the proper steps are taken to prepare the soil. A soil test is crucial in understanding the most appropriate fertilizer to buy based on its acidic content or pH level. Additionally, proper grading is important so as to avoid pooling. Add topsoil to bare spots if needed to minimize water collection.

2. Irrigation

This is especially important after installing sod for the first time. Initially, you’ll follow a strict schedule of lawn watering several times per day during the first week. The following week, soak your lawn in up to half of an inch of water daily. Finally, scale it back to several times per week for another month so that at the six week mark, you can simply water as needed. Water only when blades don’t spring back healthily when touched or when the grass starts to change color.

3. Mowing

These tips are quite simple: leave no less than two thirds of its length intact, mow with sharp blades, and don’t bag the trimmings. Once the grass is firmly rooted and you begin a mowing routine, be sure the mower’s cutting height is set between 2.5 – 3.5 inches.

4. Fertilizing

When researching how to make St Augustine grass thicker, pay close attention to proper fertilization. Nutrients vary by the bag, so use the label’s nutrient analysis to guide you. Just remember the nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium ratio is listed in percentages, not pounds, so you must calculate the total amount needed. The rules of thumb advises one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn space. Fertilize during periods of active growth as opposed to dormancy, usually in the spring and fall.

5. Weeding

While taking care of weeds may seem like an obvious action in the pursuit of healthy grass growth, there is still a right and wrong way to do it. When possible, hand-pull sporadic weeds to ensure they are uprooted. If treated chemically, be careful not to purchase a non-selective herbicide which, by design, kills all plant matter entirely. Essentially, a healthy, well-kept lawn of St. Augustine is the best defense against weeds and will eliminate the hassle altogether.

St. Augustine is certainly not a low maintenance species, however, the final result of your hard work is a beautiful lawn, rich in color and development. Exercise patience and don’t stress over how to make St Augustine grass thicker; just be diligent in following its care instructions and your yard will take care of itself. Over time, you will get to know your lawn and find a “sweet spot” in maintenance through trial and error.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

Best Grass for Arizona Lawns

March 28th, 2025

With all the different types of sod varieties available, it can be difficult to figure out which one will work best for your home lawn. A simple online search will return results including:

  • Midiron
  • Tifgreen
  • Tifway
  • Palmetto St. Augustine
  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Creeping red fescue
  • Perennial ryegrass
  • Tall fescue
  • Zoysia
sod grass

To make matters even more confusing, there are over 100 varieties of certain types of grasses, and even more types of sod that are hybrid. This means they are a mix between two or more grass species.

So, we’re here to clear up any confusion you may have and help you select the perfect sod for your Arizona lawn.

In general, try to think of your sod varieties belonging to one of two groups; warm season grasses and cool season grasses.

Warm season sod includes heat tolerant varieties such as:

  • Bermuda grass such as Tifway, Midiron and others
  • St. Augustine grass (Also called Palmetto St. Augustine)
  • Zoysia grasses

Cool Season Sod includes:

  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Perennial rye grass
  • Tall fescue

You’ll want to choose your grass variety based on the time of year that you want to install your lawn. Ordering sod is the best and the least time-consuming of your options. Why? Because it provides an instant lawn with less maintenance. When you order sod, it comes delivered to your house in rolls. Then, it’s simply unrolled and installed on top of soil. Other options include sprigging or plugging your lawn. However, these methods require much more of your time to establish and maintain the lawn. This is why most homeowners choose sod rolls for their lawns.

Based on our experience of installing thousands of home lawns across Phoenix and Tucson, we recommend these three types of sod as the best grass for Arizona lawns.

1. Midiron

This grass is the most widely used turfgrass in Arizona because it is an attractive, low maintenance turf. Midiron has medium coarse leaf texture with a blue-green color. Midiron transitions extremely well from winter over-seeding and recovers quickly from high traffic. Midiron can be mowed with a reel mower or a sharp rotary mower.

2. Palmetto St Augustine

Palmetto is a semi-dwarf St. Augustine grass and is our best performer in shady conditions. Palmetto also thrives in full sunlight and is the most heat-tolerant of all St. Augustine cultivars. Palmetto has a coarse texture with a soft leaf. Palmetto makes a stunning bright green turf. Palmetto should not be over-seeded in the winter. Palmetto should be mowed with a sharp rotary mower.

3. Tifway 419

Tifway is has extraordinary durability combined with a dark green, medium fine texture. Tifway 419 is a great choice for home lawns, sports fields, and golf fairways. Tifway can be mowed with a sharp rotary motor, or a reel mower can be used for a more manicured look.

If you’re STILL not sure which sod to choose, check out our Lawn Selector Tool or contact us today.

New Lawn Irrigation Systems Save Water

March 28th, 2025

Are you undergoing an effort to cut down water usage in your household while still trying to maintain the beautiful home and lawn you’ve always dreamed of? It may sound counter-intuitive to some, but a water irrigation system is one of the best ways to save water while giving your grass what it needs to become a healthy bed of bright green blades.

Get a New Lawn Irrigation System to Save Water

An Investment

When it comes to your home and property, every improvement is an investment into the future. A lawn irrigation system isn’t a cost you’ll spend for a day’s worth of fun; it’s an investment in your home that will yield many years of beautiful landscaping when cared for properly. As your lawn begins to respond positively to the flowing fluids, your property value will likely reap some rewards, as well.

When Spring Arrives

When winter begins to say goodbye, and spring starts to settle in, you’ll already be ready to give your lawn all of the loving care it needs to begin preparing for Arizona’s hot summer days. Once your irrigation system is in place, it’s there for the long haul, making the transitions from season to season much simpler.

When Duty Calls

Whether you’re traveling for work or pleasure, the time is going to come when you have to be away from your home for an extended stay. Under the sweltering summer sun, a lawn that’s not attended to won’t stand a chance in Arizona. With a lawn irrigation system, however, you can squelch those fears of burnt up blades. Thanks to the help of modern-day technology, you can set timers to take care of the watering for you while you’re away, ensuring that your lawn stays hydrated and no extra hands are needed at your home throughout the day.

Increased Efficiency

Timers and other technological advances have done amazing things for every industry over the past few years. In terms of lawn irrigation systems, new sprinkler systems are much more efficient than old ones, giving you ample opportunity to save money and conserve water at the same time. Today’s sprinkler systems allow you to optimize the time of day and frequency that you water your lawn. When you’re able to hit optimal times and avoid excessive loss of hydration due to evaporation, your lawn will require less water and should eventually begin to look even happier and healthier than it did with your manual maintenance.

To learn more about how the ways a lawn irrigation system can cut down on your family’s water usage, head to our “Watering Arizona Sod” section, and contact our Evergreen Turf team with any questions!

Advantages of Using Sod in Tucson

March 19th, 2025

When it comes to creating a beautiful lawn, some regions of the world are better equipped for success than others. In Tucson, you can achieve lush, green grass fairly easily if you utilize the most advantageous options for our area.

Here are some key reasons why using sod is typically best for Tucson lawns:

Less Water.

In a dry place like Arizona, water conservation is almost always at the top of the list of concerns. Sod lawns actually require less water than seed. Every drop of water saved is another dollar in the bucket, so to speak, and the savings can add up greatly when you are looking at a large lawn.

Allergen-Free.

Allergies are awful, and allergy sufferers who have problems with elements in the outdoors such as pollen will appreciate sod for its allergen-free feature. Sod does not contain pollen, which means it helps contain allergies which would otherwise result from this exterior enemy.

Instant Gratification.

Waiting for seeds to germinate can feel like forever. In fact, it can feel like you are watching grass grow. When you install sod, you do not have to wait for the seeds to germinate. You have an instant lawn from the moment of installation, which means instant gratification and a beautiful earthy floor mat that is ready for play.

Easy Installation.

One of the best features of sod is its easy installation process. If you choose to go it alone and pursue a DIY option, sod can easily be integrated into your landscape with a little preparation. To install sod yourself, make sure you have properly prepared the ground, monitor your water levels, and maintenance your lawn to achieve optimal results. Alternatively, you can choose to hire a team of professionals (like us) who will take care of everything, ensuring that the lawn is laid properly and ready to establish roots.

Heat Reduction

Hot sunny days are not uncommon in Tucson, and lawns absorb heat and are much cooler than alternatives you may see your neighbors using. Materials such as rock and concrete retain heat, but grass lawns cool the air, release oxygen, and reduce carbon dioxide.

At Evergreen Turf, we grow, sell and install several kinds of sod, and can help you select the best option for your lawn needs. Browse our sod selection today!

When to Plant Perennial Ryegrass Sod or Seed

March 18th, 2025

When you are trying to procure the perfect lawn, much of the science revolves around timing. Great things do not happen overnight, but when you plant appropriately, the right nights can lead to beautiful days and plentiful blades of grass.

Perennial ryegrass is an excellent addition to any Arizona lawn. With the right care, it can add value to your home by enhancing your curb appeal and creating a lush welcome mat that greets you every time you pull into your driveway.

To help you, we have created this perennial ryegrass sod and seed guide.

The Grass.

Healthy perennial ryegrass matures into a rich, dark green shade with a fine leaf texture. It tends to grow quickly and with little effort. It also tends to be very resistant to wear and generally tolerates disease and drought fairly well, making it suitable for Arizona’s arid climate.

Adaptation.

You can find perennial ryegrass throughout the United States and Canada. It prefers cool to moderate temperatures, so it’s great for adding a green colorscape to Arizona lawns during the winter months. It responds well to soils with a pH between 5 and 8, but you will achieve the best results if your soil’s pH is between 6, which is slightly acidic, and 7, which is neutral.

Establishment.

You will produce the best ryegrass lawn if you begin with a firm, weed-free bed. A seeding depth of 1/4 inch is optimal with seeding for the fall ideally happening between mid-August to early September and spring seeding from March to early May. You do not want to exceed 1/2 inch seeding depth. Perennial ryegrass is adaptable, but it does prefer fertile, well-drained soil.

Fertilizer is an important ingredient, but you will want to refer to the soil test before proceeding fully. This grass does tend to respond well to nitrogen, so keep that in mind when selecting your fertilizer. If you are seeding alone, you can generally use about 5 to 7 pounds of perennial ryegrass seed per acre. You will want to use about twice this amount if you’re broadcast planting. In many cases, positive results can be achieved by following broadcast seeding with a roller packer.

Because you don’t have to fear the problems that harsh winters can inflict upon this grass in other areas of the country, Arizona’s climate can often maintain productive stands for well-established lawns for three or four years.

Management.

To maintain the healthiest possible lawn, maintain a mowing height between 1 and 3 inches. Split your application of fertilizer evenly between spring and fall using 2 to 6 pounds per 1,000 square feet per year. Because our Arizona climate is dry, it may be necessary for you to irrigate your lawn to ensure survival, particularly when the weather begins to heat up. Pre- and post-emergent herbicides will help to control weeds, but be sure to adhere to the distribution rates described on the labels of the products you use. Utilize pesticides and fungicides at labeled rates as well, which will help to control insect and disease problems.

Looking for a few lawn care tips to help your grass grow tall and strong? Check out our lawn care FAQs, and contact our team at Evergreen Turf if we can answer anything else!

Lawn Renovation Tips

March 15th, 2025

If your lawn is looking a little lackluster after the winter, it may need some TLC. Check out these lawn renovation tips to help bring your Arizona sod lawn back to life.

  1. The first step to getting your lawn back to full health is to work out what is causing your grass to look unhealthy. Treat the problem before working on a new lawn. Find a lawn care professional you trust to help you with diagnosis and treatment. Here are some problems you may want to look for in your lawns.
    – Not Enough Water
    – Too Much Shade
    – Worms or Bugs
    – Lack of Air Circulation
  2. Take a good look at your lawn, how much damage has actually occurred? If the answer is more than half, it may be a good idea to start from scratch. The best way to do this is to use an herbicide with glyphosate, this will allow the grass to be killed off whilst still allowing sod to re-root and grow back quickly.
  3. Once you have applied the herbicide, give your lawn a couple of weeks. Once the herbicide has been down for two weeks, you can then give your lawn a low mow. This should leave your lawn short and will help prevent erosion.
  4. Now is the time to hire a power rake. Power rake your lawn, leaving the smallest layer of thatch. Rake your lawn again, this time you will be raking away debris. You may then need to rake again, you will know you have raked enough when you see equal amounts of dead grass stem and bare soil.
  5. Your lawn should now be ready to take on new seed or sod. If you decide to re-seed your lawn be sure to follow directions on the package, this will result in a healthier looking lawn.
  6. It is a good idea to add a weed deterrent before your new lawn really starts growing back. Use a pre-emergence herbicide with Siduron. This will allow your grass to grow whilst preventing weeds from growing alongside your grass.
  7. Everything should be planted now and it is important to keep your new lawn moist. The first couple of weeks you will want to make sure the soil doesn’t get dry. Once the lawn has started growing you can slow down to one to two times a week. Remember dry is not good, but neither is soggy.
  8. Once your new lawn is looking healthy and it has grown to around 3 inches tall, you can give the lawn a mow. Remember, be sure that your mower blade is sharp. Now that your lawn is healthy again, you won’t want to cut it too short.

These lawn renovation tips can help you bring your Arizona sod lawn back to health before the summer heat kicks in.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.

How to Reduce Lawn Stress in Summer

March 14th, 2025

You probably don’t think about it much, but your lawn can suffer from stress just the way you do, but homeowners can reduce lawn stress this summer by taking a few simple precautions. Heat and dry weather are major stressors for grass, and additional stressors like bugs and weeds could wreak additional damage on already stressed grass.

How to Reduce Lawn Stress in Summer

Stay off the Grass

Hydrated grass will spring back quickly when someone walks on it or it has pressure applied to it, but dry grass will not. Damage is highly-probably when you continuously walk on dried out grass. However, if soil is too wet, constant foot traffic will compact the ground and air cannot get to the grass’s roots. You can reduce lawn stress by keeping foot traffic to a minimum during the hottest parts of the year.

Keep Mower Blades Sharp and High

If your mower blades dull, they will shred the grass when you mow. Shredded grass loses more water than if it was a clean cut, and the shredded tips will turn brown and look dull too. Grass that is cut too short will also dry out faster and its roots won’t be as deep. The longer you keep your grass, the more potential it has to grow deep roots. You can reduce the amount of strain on your grass if you keep it a little longer in the heat of summer.

Avoid Feeding it When it’s Stressed

Grass does not grow when it is stressed, so feeding it isn’t going to help it grow. It is better to feed grass earlier in the year before temperatures start to soar. You can help your lawn recover better once the temperatures start to fall again by feeding it again.

Related: Top 4 Tips for Garden Weed Control

Water it in the Morning

The best time to water your lawn is between six and ten AM. You’ll lose less water to evaporation and the grass has time to dry before night. When you water your grass in the afternoon sun, you’ll lose a great deal of the water to evaporation. However, when you water at night, you risk causing disease. For the best results, water a half-inch twice a week or an inch once a week in the morning.

Use Extra Seed in the Fall

If you live in an area where your grass is prone to heat stress during the summer, it might be a good idea to over-seed your lawn in the fall with a breed of grass that is heat and drought resistant. There are breeds of grass, such as Tifway 419 that will stay green even during times of drought and recovers very well when damaged.

You want your lawn to look good for as long as possible during the warmer months of the year. Taking these few simple steps to reduce lawn stress can help keep your grass looking better even in the most intense heat of summer.

Evergreen Turf is your source for the highest quality sod in Arizona. Our friendly, knowledgeable people are committed to answering all of your questions to ensure a stress-free experience with your new Arizona sod lawn. Whether you wish to sod a small play area for the family or an entire golf course, Evergreen Turf can help you make it happen.

Our team serves customers throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe and Tucson. Browse our website for information and tips on how to create and maintain a beautiful lawn, or give us a call and talk to one of our sod specialists at 480-456-1199 if you don’t find what you are looking for. Better yet, stop by and meet the team at our convenient Chandler location.