Summer Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Lawn

Summer is finally here, and with it comes the perfect time to focus on your lawn care. Watering is crucial, as the article notes that lawns need about 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rain or irrigation.

Make sure to mow your lawn at the right height, which is typically around 2.5-3 inches, as stated in the article. This will help your grass stay healthy and prevent weed growth.

It's also essential to fertilize your lawn during the summer months, as the article recommends doing so every 6-8 weeks. This will provide your grass with the necessary nutrients to thrive.

By following these simple tips, you'll be well on your way to having a lush and healthy lawn that will be the envy of your neighbors.

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In early summer, mow your lawn high to help grass develop deeper roots that are better at seeking out water underground.

Taller blades of grass also help shade soil and cool it, reducing the need for watering. This is especially helpful in hot summer months.

Feed your lawn in the early summer to strengthen it against heat and drought conditions. Use a summer fertilizer that's right for your lawn type and location.

In the North, use Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control to kill and protect against listed insect pests like ants or ticks. This dual-action formula also deep feeds your turf.

In the South, use Scotts Turf Builder Summer Lawn Food, a lawn food plus water maximizer that helps drive water into dry soils.

Treat for grubs in early summer if you had a problem last year or suspect your neighbor might be fighting grubs. Apply Scotts GrubEx Season Long Grub Killer to prevent dead patches in late summer.

In mid-summer, water your lawn deeply but less often to help it withstand rising temperatures and dry spells. Feed your grass as needed to maintain its color and resilience.

In late summer, water your lawn in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent moisture loss. This will help your lawn stay healthy and green.

Sharpen your mower blade in late summer to prevent tearing grass and promote healthy growth. A dull blade can lead to ragged edges that lose moisture more readily.

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Your lawn may need a mid-summer feeding to promote healthy growth, especially if you have warm-season grasses like those found in the South.

Check with your local garden store to see if they recommend fertilizing and which type to use, as over-fertilizing can burn your already heat-stressed grass.

Hiring a professional lawn care company can be a great option if you're worried about keeping track of what to do for your lawn during the summer months.

TruGreen offers five different annual plans that cover fertilization, weed control, pest control, aeration, and overseeding, depending on where you live.

In the summer, watering and fertilizing alone won't suffice to preserve the health of your lawn; you'll need to implement additional steps to prevent damage from the excessive heat and drought.

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Aerate your lawn to give it a breath of fresh air. Aeration allows your lawn to better absorb water and nutrients, promoting stronger root growth.

Overseeding, or planting new grass seeds, can also help restore damaged areas. This is especially true for warm-season lawns, which include popular types like Bahiagrass, Bermudagrass, Buffalograss, Centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysiagrass.

To overseed a warm-season lawn, do it in the spring through early summer. This allows the new grass to take root and grow before the heat of the summer sets in.

Dethatching before overseeding will help your grass take root better. This involves removing dead grass and debris from the soil to make way for new growth.

If you're looking for a more comprehensive solution, consider hiring a professional lawn care company like TruGreen. They offer annual plans that cover fertilization, weed control, pest control, aeration, and overseeding, depending on where you live.

Here are some common types of warm-season grasses that can benefit from overseeding:

Your lawn may need a mid-summer feeding to promote healthy growth, especially if you have warm-season grasses like those found in the South. Check with your local garden store to see if they recommend fertilizing and which type to use.

Watering and fertilizing alone won't suffice to preserve the health of your lawn in the summer. Without proper care, the excessive heat and drought can cause it to turn dry and brown.

In the summer, it's essential to implement additional steps to preserve the health of your lawn, such as aerating and overseeding if necessary. This can help restore damaged areas and promote stronger root growth.

Compacted soil and thinning grass can be addressed by aerating your soil, which allows your lawn to better absorb water and nutrients. At J&J Nursery and Garden Center, you can find tools and expert advice to help aerate and overseed effectively for long-term results.

Summer is the perfect time to tackle weeds and thatch, as they can quickly take over your lawn if left unmanaged. To control weeds, use a targeted post-emergent herbicide designed to eliminate broadleaf weeds without harming your grass.

If you act quickly, you can kill established weeds before they bloom and spread seeds. For example, if you have a lawn in the northern parts of the U.S. with cool-season grass, you can dethatch in late summer to early fall, during the grass's active growing season.

Dethatching offers several benefits, including better airflow, water absorption, and nutrient uptake, which can lead to a stronger and more radiant lawn. For warm-season grass, dethatch in early summer, when the grass is in its vigorous growth stage.

Here are some tools you can use to dethatch your lawn:

Remember to mow your grass a bit lower than normal before dethatching, and water your lawn lightly a day before to make it easier for the tools to penetrate and lift the thatch.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors, but it's also the season when insects like Japanese beetles and June bugs come out in full force.

These pests will munch on your grass, causing wilting and bare patches if left untreated. Japanese beetles will even lay eggs, which will hatch into grubs and start feasting on your grass.

Applying a preventative grub control product can head off this problem at the pass. This will save you from dealing with the aftermath of grub damage later on.

Control weeds before they take over your lawn. Summer is the perfect time to act fast and kill established weeds before they can bloom and spread seeds.

To do this, use a targeted post-emergent herbicide designed to eliminate broadleaf weeds but leave your grass unharmed. Be mindful that even these herbicides may hurt your grass, so use them sparingly.

If you're able to hand-pull the weeds, consider going that route instead. It's a great way to get rid of weeds without using chemicals.

Regularly pulling weeds before they have a chance to flower and spread seeds is key. This will help prevent them from taking over your lawn.

Here are some common weeds to keep an eye out for and how to control them:

Remember, weeds thrive in stressed lawns, so keep them in check with a consistent routine.

Removing excessive thatch is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy and visually appealing lawn. Excessive thatch can prevent air, nutrients, sunlight, and water from reaching the soil and roots, leading to a weak and vulnerable lawn.

The recommended thickness for thatch varies depending on the type of grass: ½ inch for warm-season grasses and ⅓ inch for cool-season grasses. If your lawn exceeds these thicknesses, it's time to take action.

Dethatching offers several benefits, including better airflow, water absorption, and nutrient uptake. This process helps promote healthier grass growth, reduces standing water and runoff, and increases curb appeal.

To dethatch effectively, mow your grass a bit lower than normal before the process, to about half its regular height. This makes it easier to access the thatch layer and reduces stress on the grass.

You can choose from various tools to dethatch your lawn, including manual dethatchers, electric dethatchers, power rakes, vertical mowers, and tow-behind dethatchers. Your local garden center or home improvement store can provide guidance on the best tool for your lawn.

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The best time to dethatch cool-season grass is in late summer to early fall, during its active growing season. For warm-season grass, dethatch in early summer, when it's in its vigorous growth stage.

Here are the tools you can use to dethatch your lawn:

Don't forget to wear protective gear, including gloves, safety glasses, and long-sleeved clothing, to prevent injuries during the dethatching process. After dethatching, rake up the debris and consider composting it to maintain an eco-friendly approach.

Watering your lawn at the right time is crucial for its health. Water it between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. to avoid evaporation and wind.

To promote deep roots, water less often but for longer. Aim for three 20- to 30-minute watering sessions weekly, providing 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week.

You should adjust your watering schedule based on your soil type. Sandy soil needs more frequent watering but for shorter periods, while clay soil requires slower but longer watering. Loamy and silty soils need different approaches as well.

Here's a quick guide to help you remember:

Don't overwater your grass, especially during rainy periods. Overwatering can lead to weeds, fungal diseases, and damaged roots.

Get your soil tested to create healthy soil for your lawn. A soil test will provide a wealth of important information that will help you create healthy soil.

You don't have to do it yourself, contact your local university extension service about soil testing services they offer. They'll walk you through the process of collecting samples.

A soil analysis will indicate the composition of the soil, whether your lawn needs more or less nitrogen and if other amendments are needed, among other useful information.

Remember, not enough fertilizer causes poor root development, while excess amounts can kill your lawn by overloading it with nutrients.

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Water your lawn early in the morning, usually between 6-9 a.m., to decrease evaporation and prevent fungal diseases.

Watering at the right time of day is crucial, especially during hot summer months. Water your lawn between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. to avoid evaporation and wind.

To promote deep roots, water less often but for longer. Most grass cultivars need 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per week.

Watering too frequently can create shallow, weak roots. Aim for three 20- to 30-minute watering sessions weekly.

Don't overwater your grass if you're getting a lot of rain; water according to the weather conditions and your grass' needs.

Water different soil types in unique ways. For example, water sandy soil more frequently but for shorter periods, while water clay soil more slowly but for longer periods to avoid runoff.

Here's a quick guide to watering different soil types:

Mowing your lawn too short can harm your grass, so it's essential to mow high, especially during summer drought conditions. Taller grass provides more shade, keeping weeds from germinating and competing with your grass.

To determine the correct mowing height, identify the variety of grass in your lawn, as each variety has a different optimum height. Warm-season grasses should be cut to 2–3 inches tall, while cool-season grasses should be mowed at 3–4 inches.

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Never remove more than 1/3 of a blade of grass at a time when you mow, and alternate the direction each time you mow to help prevent ruts from forming. Leave grass clippings on the lawn, as they will decompose and help feed your grass.

Frequent yard use can compact the soil and damage grass, so balance functionality with care to avoid stressing your lawn. Move high-traffic activities like sprinkler play or lawn games around different areas of your yard, and create designated paths to guide foot traffic away from vulnerable spots.

Here are some tips to manage traffic on your lawn:

Hiring a professional lawn care company can be a great option for busy people who want a hassle-free lawn care experience. TruGreen, for instance, offers five different annual plans that cover fertilization, weed control, pest control, aeration, and overseeding, depending on where you live.

You can choose from three core plans that cater to different lawn care needs. These plans are designed to be easy to follow, with regular visits from the professionals every four to six weeks.

The summer months can be tough on lawns, so it's essential to implement additional steps to preserve their health. This includes watering and fertilizing, but also choosing between organic and synthetic fertilizers.

If you're worried about keeping track of lawn care, hiring a professional lawn care company like TruGreen might be the answer. They offer five different annual plans with a regular schedule.

TruGreen's plans focus on fertilization, weed control, pest control, aeration, and overseeding, depending on your location. You can choose from multiple plans tailored to your needs.

Their lawn care company doesn't offer mowing or irrigation services, so you'll need to arrange those separately.

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If you're looking for a hassle-free way to maintain your lawn, consider hiring a professional lawn care company like TruGreen. They offer five different annual plans, with visits every four to six weeks, covering fertilization, weed control, pest control, aeration, and overseeding.

TruGreen's plans are designed to address specific lawn care needs, depending on your location. You can choose from three core plans: TruHealth, TruComplete, and TruSignature, each with varying levels of coverage.

Here's a breakdown of the three core plans:

*TruComplete and TruSignature plans only offer overseeding for fescue lawns.

Summer is a challenging time for lawns, with excessive heat and drought causing dryness and browning. To combat this, you'll need to implement additional steps beyond watering and fertilizing. Consider choosing between organic and synthetic fertilizers to find the right approach for your lawn.

In areas with high humidity, like the Southeast, it's essential to mow your lawn at the right time to prevent fungal diseases from taking hold.

For example, in Florida, it's recommended to mow your lawn in the early morning to avoid spreading fungal spores.

In dry regions, like the Southwest, it's crucial to water your lawn deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

In California, it's common to see lawns with drought-tolerant plants, which require less watering and maintenance.

If you live in an area with clay soil, like the Midwest, you may need to adjust your mowing schedule to prevent compacting the soil.