Letting It Grow: Why Taller Grass is Your Lawn's Best Friend (Especially Now!)
Hey everyone, Abe here! As many of you know, I'm a big proponent of a healthy, thriving lawn, and that often means doing things a little differently than what you might see in traditional lawn care. Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite strategies: letting your grass grow a little taller. And with the heat we've been experiencing in Northern Illinois and the lack of rain, there's never been a better time to embrace this approach.
You see, for years, the ideal lawn was often depicted as a perfectly manicured, golf-course-short carpet of green. But what many people don't realize is that constantly scalping your grass actually stresses it out and makes it more vulnerable, especially during periods of drought and high temperatures. Think of it like constantly cutting your hair super short – it takes a lot of energy for your body to grow it back, right? It's similar for your lawn.
So, why do I advocate for mowing tall? The main reason is simple: it creates drought-tolerant turf. When you leave your grass blades longer, you're doing a few key things that benefit your lawn immensely:
Deeper Roots: Taller grass encourages deeper root growth. The longer the blade, the more surface area for photosynthesis, which means more energy for the plant to send down roots. Deeper roots can access water and nutrients further down in the soil, making your lawn much more resilient when the topsoil starts to dry out.
Shade for the Soil: Those longer blades act like a natural canopy for your soil. This shade helps to keep the soil cooler and reduces evaporation, meaning the moisture that is there sticks around longer. This is absolutely critical when we're not getting much rain.
Weed Suppression: A dense, taller lawn naturally chokes out weeds. They simply don't have the space or light to compete as effectively. This means less need for herbicides and a more naturally robust ecosystem in your yard.
Now, for our valued customers, you might notice we've started implementing this practice ourselves! We're always raising our mower blades to that optimal height, typically 3.5 to 4 inches, to promote these benefits in your lawn. And rest assured, even with a slightly taller cut, our weekly maintenance ensures your lawn always looks clean, neat, and well-groomed. We're committed to providing you with a beautiful yard that’s also incredibly healthy and resilient.
Right now, in Northern Illinois, we're feeling the heat, and the rain has been sparse. So, beyond letting the grass grow, what else can you do now to help your other plants cope with these conditions?
First, focus your watering efforts. If you have an irrigation system, make sure it's set to water deeply and infrequently, rather than shallowly and often. Deep watering encourages those strong, deep roots. If you're watering by hand, give your plants a good, long soak, rather than just a quick sprinkle. You want the water to penetrate the soil, not just sit on the surface.
Secondly, and this is a big one for your garden beds and around trees and shrubs: consider mulching! A good layer of organic mulch – think wood chips, shredded bark, or even straw – about 2-4 inches deep, can be a game-changer. Mulch acts like a protective blanket for your soil. It dramatically helps to retain soil moisture by reducing evaporation, keeping your plant roots cooler during those scorching days, and even preventing weed growth, which competes for precious water. Just remember to keep the mulch a few inches away from the base of tree trunks and plant stems to prevent rot.
By embracing a slightly taller lawn and implementing these simple strategies, you're not just saving yourself some work; you're building a healthier, more resilient landscape that can better withstand the challenges of our unpredictable weather. So, let your grass grow a little, and watch your entire yard thrive, even when the sun is blazing!
