SUMMER VACATION LAWN CARE: THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT

By Sharon Asakawa

Whether by boat, plane, train or automobile, many of us plan on packing up and leaving for a week or more. The following are a few useful tips to help your lawn survive while you are away on vacation.

                  

                    FOR 1 WEEK OR LESS

·       Don’t worry be happy! Because if you are gone for 7 days or less, lawns grow slower in the summer months

·       Mow at the regular height and water deeply the day before you leave

                   FOR 2 WEEKS OR MORE

·       Set the mower down one notch and mow and water deeply the day before you leave

·       When you return, raise the mower two notches before cutting the grass (try not to take off more than 1/3 of the grass height at a time)

·       If your lawn goes dormant in hot, dry weather (this is a normal coping mechanism for lawns), water deeply when you return

·       If gone for more than 2 weeks, hire someone to cut your grass and water while away

                        *    Visit www.scotts.com for more great lawn care  ideas