The regular hum of the Tosaerba and the scent of the newly cut grass, which is the background of the full light of the morning or late afternoon, are images inevitably linked to the summer, the period between spring and summer in which you dedicate yourself with greater diligence to the care of the garden. That of the mow of the lawn is a simple gesturealmost ritual, which serves to keep green areas in order, but cIn some times of the year it can be transformed into an error.
In fact, during the waves of intense heat the lawn suffers, and does it in a way that does not immediately jump to the eye, even if the consequences will soon be visible: yellowing, dryness And bold areas They are the most common. It must be said that the fault is not only of the sun, but also ours. Let’s see why.
A double stress for grass
Playing the grass in full sun, with temperatures that exceed 30 degrees, is a low blow for the lawn. The grass leaves, already tried by heat and drought, are further weakened by the cut. The result? A grassy carpet in difficulty, who struggles to regenerateto which its natural shadow is lost and which exposes itself without protection to sunlight.
The low the cut, the more the ground remains naked. The roots warm up, the water evaporates quickly, the soil microorganisms are affected And the earthworms, which contribute to maintaining fertile soil, retire. It is a chain of reactions that begins with a wrong gesture.
The myth of the regenerating cut
There are those who think that shortening grass, even when it appears dry or sick, is a way to stimulate its regrowth. A wrong idea, given that During periods of drought, the plants voluntarily slow down growth, retain energy, in practice they defend themselves. Forcing them to react, by imposing a cut, it is equivalent to asking for too much to those who are already fighting to survive.
Even after the fertilization or application of treatments, the cutting of the lawn can frustrate all the work just performed. The nutrients do not have time to penetrate the ground, the effect is lost and the grass remains fragile. AND mow immediately after a thunderstorm? Even worse! Because the wet grass is glued, the cut becomes irregular and the lawn risks being torn more than scissor.
The right moments to cut
Triggering the lawn is not an activity to improvise, because they need attention and spirit of observation. The ideal time comes when the climate is mild, the grass is dry and toned, and the ground is neither too dry nor too humid. The best hours? There early morning or late eveningwhen the sun does not fight and the plants can recover more easily.
In the spring, when the temperatures are moderate, the mowing really helps to reinvigorate the lawn and the same goes in autumn, but In summer, especially during the hot peaks, the watchword is “patience”.
Protect the lawn without wasting water
Those who have a garden know: a cured lawn is a joy for the eyes, but often also a source of concern. Especially when the water is scarce and the heat makes itself felt. How to do, then, to maintain a healthy lawn without waste?
A lawn that adapts
There is also another way: Choose a more resistant lawn. Some varieties of grass better tolerate the heat and drought. There festca and the Poa Pratensisfor example, are robust species, capable of keeping green even in difficult conditions.
And why not let the clover live? It is not a herb, as many believe, indeed on the contrary it makes the soil more acknowledged, holds the nitrogen and remains green even without frequent watering.
Happy summer!
