Sod for the Summer

We recently renovated our backyard with turfgrass, and our lawn has never looked better. What maintenance advice can you share when it comes to keeping our grass healthy so we can spend more time outdoors this summer? — Homeowner, Makakilo

You’ve already invested in transforming your yard with turfgrass, so now it’s all about maintenance — and that starts with mowing. In general, lawns should be mowed weekly, about every 7 to 10 days. When it comes to selecting proper mowers, the difference between using a reel mower versus a rotary mower is like the difference between cutting with a sharp knife rather than tearing your grass. The mower you choose also depends on the type of grass you have.

With a rotary mower, the lowest that grass can be cut is 1 inch, which will work for a shade-tolerant grass like our Captiva St. Augustine. That specific grass is a slower-growing, vertical grass that requires less-frequent mowing and maintenance. Captiva St. Augustine thrives in yards that receive less than four hours of direct sunlight a day, which we consider shade.

For “full sun” yards that receive five hours of direct sunlight or more per day, we recommend reel mowers, which can cut lower. Reel mowers will allow you to get a nicer, more manicured, carpet-like look. This is ideal for grass varieties such as Bermudas, which should be cut at half-an-inch, and three-quarters-of-an-inch for Zoysias. Proper mowing is key especially in the summer, when grass tends to grow faster due to increased heat and sunlight.

Water is also very important. Initially when people plant grass, they are really excited to water their lawn with a hose in the first few weeks. But five, 10, or 15 years down the line, that may not be the case — this is when having an irrigation system pays off. Irrigation is insurance to make sure that your grass is properly watered. In the first week of installation, we suggest that lawns be watered three times a day, then tapered down to two times a day in the second week, once a day in the third week, and then every other day. Initially, you want to encourage the roots to take hold in the soil; once the grass starts acclimating, you can cut down on watering.

As licensed landscape contractors who specialize in grass and sprinkler installations, the Hawaiian Turfgrass team knows how essential head-to-head coverage is when it comes to lawn irrigation. Dry spots can appear on your lawn if sprinklers are not spaced properly — you want water to reach from sprinkler head to sprinkler head for uniform coverage. The consistency of your grass is dependent on the amount of water, sunlight and mowing it receives, so keeping maintenance consistent will ensure that your grass stays even and healthy.

Fertilizer can be a great addition to your lawn’s maintenance regimen. We recommend Miracle Gro Plant Food or Scotts Southern Lawn Food Turf Builder. Fertilizer can be used as needed, roughly every one to three months.

Online ordering is available 24/7 on the Hawaiian Turfgrass website, hawaiianturfgrass.com. Hawaiian Turfgrass delivers statewide. Call Fong at (808) 371-0527 to schedule an appointment, and ask about Hawaiian Turfgrass’ $600 discount on installation with purchase. (License #C-32884)

“Summer is the perfect time to invest in your backyard when the days are longer and the heat is rising. Hotter temperatures and additional daylight hours mean your grass is growing faster than it would in the wintertime, so maintenance is critical for the success of your grass.”— Sean Aukanai‘i Fong

Editor’s Note: This article has been slightly modified from the original print version for optimal online reading. To view the full print story, pick up your copy of Hawaii Home + Remodeling at one of our partner locations.