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July usually means brown lawns, not this year!


Antioch lawn growing well with current conditions

Every year in the midwest lawns begin an annual ritual of browning up and thinning out by the 4th of July.  This is generally caused by high soil temperautres from long sunny days and warm air temperautres and a reduction in weekly rainfall amounts.  However, 2014 has brought a very different 4th of July to the many lawns in our Lake County area.  Surface soil temperatures normally reach into the 90 degree range resulting in early signs of dormancy.  However, we have received adequate rainfall weekly so far this year along with average temperatures and cloudy days resulting in ideal soil temperatures for turf growth and vigor.  We are averaging surface soil temperatures around 80 degrees which is ideal for bluegrass to thrive.

 Lake Forest lawn thriving in ideal 2014 conditions.

July is normally the beginning of the "dead zone" as we refer to it, where unless you are adequately irrigating the lawn, it will not look green and lush.  During this time it is wise to stay off of the lawn and even reduce mowing to prevent any further unwanted or unneeded stress to the lawn.  However, this year is quite the opposite.  Fertilized lawns are growing with each rainfall and will continue to stay lush and green into the month of July.


Antioch sports field staying green this summer with minimial irrigation

  We still recommend watering during any weeks that we dont get rainfall and try to mow in the morning or evening so that you are not on the lawn during the potentially hottest part of the day.  Also, remember to keep your mowing height at 3" or higher to even further maintain the green color if the rain decides to stop.  Please call the office, find us online or follow our blog for future lawn care insights for the Northern Illinois area including Lake Forest, Waukegan, Gurnee, Lake Villa, Fox Lake and Antioch.

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Contact us today at:  847-395-0940 or at: group593@lawndoctor.com

www.lawndoctorantioch-waukegan.com  



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