KATHY'S HOME & GARDEN BLOG - HOT AUGUST LAWN CARE!
HOT-SUMMER LAWN PRESERVATION TIPS, FROM KATHY! 
Well, Chicago is experiencing the hottest weather of the summer!
This very hot weather can certainly take a toll on your lawn and garden. It is even more important than ever to stick to long, deep soakings of the lawn and garden. Earlier in the summer once a week was sufficient. However, with this extreme heat, it may be necessary to water every three or days. This is especially important if rainfall is light, or lacking.
Around our area lately, rainfall is varied. Some areas are getting periodic strong rainfalls totaling several inches. Others are receiving barely a sprinkling.
It is also a good idea to mulch around plants and trees to conserve water. Compost, hardwood chips, leaves, or peat moss (no relation to our Team Leader, Dean Moss) are all good choices.
Paired with the intense summer heat, daily traffic can take its toll on your lawn. A good pick-me up for your lawn is a dose of fertilizer and topsoil.
Mix 1 part humus, 1 part manure with 2 parts topsoil. Spread all over your lawn and lightly rake it in. Give the lawn a good watering! If the lawn needs a bigger boost, mix in a pound of grass seed with the mix. You can also use this mix to fill in bare spots. Add more grass seed and keep it moist!!! Most grass seed will germinate in 7-21 days. The grass must be kept continually moist until the grass is at least 2 inches high.
HAVE YOU GOT A TIP OR TWO FOR KEEPING YOUR LAWN GREEN AND YOUR GARDEN BEAUTIFUL DURING THE DOG DAYS OF AUGUST? Please write and let me know!
DEAN'S TEAM LAWN & GARDEN EDITOR,
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH
