Lawn Care Tips For The Summer

Summer Lawn Goals, Made Easy: How to Keep Your Lawn Looking Great All Season Long

Summer is prime time for backyard barbecues, games of fetch, and soaking in the sun—but it’s also a challenging season for your lawn. Heat, dryness, pests, and heavy foot traffic can all take a toll on your turf. The key to a healthy, green lawn is adjusting your care routine as the season progresses. When it concerns lawn maintenance, it is best to think of the season in phases: early, mid, and late summer. How you care for the lawn will depend on the phase you’re currently in. Keep your lawn looking its greenest throughout the whole summer with these tips!

Early Summer

Mow at the Right Height

Start by adjusting your mower height. Taller grass provides shade for the soil, which can reduce evaporation, prevent weeds, and lead to deeper roots over time. Aim to time your mowing so you don’t remove more than 1/3 of the surface at one time.

Feed Your Lawn

Feeding your lawn in the early summer helps strengthen the grass so it withstands the heat and drought that summer usually brings. A slow-release fertilizer in early summer can help strengthen your lawn before the peak heat sets in..

Treat for Pests

Many insects like to lay their eggs in the grass in early summer. These eggs can then hatch into lawn-damaging grubs later in the season. These pests munch their way through the roots of grass, resulting in dead patches. Keep an eye out for increased bird activity as this is a potential sign of grub presence. Use grub control treatments as needed. 

Let Grass Clippings Lie

If you’re mowing your lawn regularly, you can just let clippings lie as they fall. They will break down and help feed your lawn and return nutrients to the soil. This is called “grasscycling” and can save you time, money, and fertilizer.

Mid Summer

Feed as Needed

Your lawn may require some mid-summer feeding to continue promoting healthy growth throughout the season. However, be careful not to damage your already heat-stressed grass. It’s a good idea to check with your local garden center for recommendations on whether you should fertilize.

Water Smart

Water your lawn deeply but at infrequent intervals—about 1 inch per week including rainfall. Early morning (between 6–10 a.m.) is the best time to water. Use a screwdriver or small shovel to test moisture depth; you’re aiming for water penetration 4–6 inches deep.

Late Summer

Water in the Morning

Later in the summer, your lawn will lose less water to evaporation if you water it between 6 and 10 am. Continue watering early in the day to reduce evaporation and avoid fungal diseases. Be mindful of overly saturated spots and adjust based on recent rainfall.

Sharpen Blades

A dull mower blade will tear your grass and create a ragged edge that will make your lawn lose moisture quicker than grass that is cleanly cut. Regularly sharpening your blades helps maintain a clean, healthy, cut.

Bonus: After-Summer Tips

Rake Leaves Promptly

When autumn rolls around, the leaves begin to fall. Act quickly and don’t wait for these leaves to pile up. Remove them often so they don’t become damp, as piles of wet leaves can create fungal problems for your grass.

Weed and Feed

Set yourself up for success for the next spring and summer by getting some weeds under control now. Apply fertilizer as needed to give your lawn the nutrients it needs to get through the winter season. Late summer into early fall is a smart time to spot-treat weeds.

Final Thoughts

As we can see, lawn care doesn’t stop when the temperature drops. A little seasonal strategy goes a long way toward keeping your lawn lush, healthy, and enjoyable year-round. With just a few adjustments and regular attention, your yard will thrive this summer—and bounce back even better next year. Prepare your lawn in advance for the heat that summer brings, and you can have a yard that thrives into fall and beyond!

Sources:

https://www.bioadvanced.com/articles/lawn-care-keeping-lawns-healthy-summer-lawn-watering-guide

https://www.scotts.com/en-us/library/lawn-care-basics/summer-lawn-care-tips

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/lawns/21244213/summer-lawn-care-tips