Beat the heat and embrace the cool: Why a real lawn is your summer saviour

As the summer holidays approach and the weather warms up, homeowners nationwide are looking for ways to stay cool and comfortable whilst relaxing, playing and entertaining in their gardens. Artificial grass can be brutal in summer, getting significantly hotter than real grass and making your garden less enjoyable.

One simple yet powerful solution lies right beneath their feet – a healthy, green lawn. Real grass offers a natural cooling effect that can significantly improve comfort outdoors, reduce indoor temperatures, and even lead to energy bill savings. This isn't just anecdotal evidence; there's science behind it. Johnsons Lawn Seed, the experts in lawn seed take a look at why real lawns stay cool and green all summer long.

Nature's Air Conditioner

Lawns play a crucial role in cooling the surrounding area through a process known as transpiration. When plants release water vapour through small pores in their leaves, the vapour absorbs heat from the air as it evaporates, resulting in a cooling effect.

The benefits of transpiration aren't limited to just the area directly surrounding the grass. The shaded soil beneath a healthy lawn remains cooler, preventing the ground from releasing heat back into the air. Real grass absorbs less heat from the sun compared to pavement or artificial lawns due to its unique properties. All these factors work together to create a significant temperature difference.

Research has shown that a healthy lawn can be up to 30 degrees cooler than asphalt or concrete, and about 20 degrees cooler than artificial turf. This leads to a noticeably cooler yard and surrounding areas, greatly improving outdoor comfort during the summer months.

The Environmental Benefits of Real Grass

The environmental benefits of a healthy lawn go beyond just cooling. Lawns act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants and dust from the air. Unlike artificial alternatives that trap heat and contribute to runoff, real grass acts as a natural filter, absorbing rainwater and preventing soil erosion. Real grass also fosters a vibrant insect community which plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Pollinators like bees and butterflies, along with predatory insects such as ladybirds and beetles, find a home in the lawn and help with plant reproduction and act as natural pest control. Decomposers like earthworms and millipedes live in the soil beneath the lawn, enriching it with vital nutrients.

Care of Your Natural AC Unit

To ensure your lawn maximises its cooling potential over the summer, it's important to maintain its health. Here are some simple tips:

Watering: New lawns need about 1 inch of water per week. Deep and infrequent watering encourages roots to grow deep, making the grass more drought-tolerant and cooler. Established lawns do not usually require frequent watering, if you have to water your lawn do this in the evening to minimise evaporation

Mowing: Taller grass shades the soil more effectively than short grass. Aim to mow to a height of 2.5 to 3 inches.

Aeration: Aerating compacted soil improves drainage and allows water and air to reach the grass roots more easily, promoting healthy growth and cooling effects.

Feeding: A healthy lawn is better able to withstand heat and drought. Feed according to the instructions on the label.

Your Summer Lawn Starts Here

With Johnsons Lawn Seed, you can create a beautiful, healthy lawn that thrives all summer long! Tuffgrass is your go-to for summer with its dog-urine tolerance and fast growth. It repairs quickly from pet damage and handles active families. Great for new lawns, overseeding, or repairs, it establishes fast, potentially needing less summer watering. Quick Fix tackles bare patches with its fast-germinating, hardwearing seed mix. Perfect for fixing those summer play areas.

Quick Lawn (Johnsons' most popular) gets your lawn established fast, even in summer. This mix boasts fast-growing seeds and drought tolerance. Shady Place thrives in sheltered areas, even during dry summers. Its special blend of shade-tolerant grasses stays green thanks to excellent drought tolerance. Perfect for under trees or walls and establishes well with spring or autumn overseeding.

Guy Jenkins, Consumer Manager at Johnsons Lawn Seed said: “By investing in your lawn this summer, you're not just creating a beautiful space to relax and entertain. You're also contributing to a cooler, more comfortable environment for yourself and your family. Healthy lawns help regulate temperatures, reducing the 'urban heat island' effect and creating a more pleasant microclimate around your home. Give your garden the TLC it deserves and reap the benefits of a healthy, sustainable outdoor space for years to come”