How to Take Care of Your Lawn in the Summer Heat
Hot weather can be tough on your lawn, but with a few simple steps, you can keep it looking decent even when the temperatures climb.
Water deeply, not often
Instead of watering every day, give your lawn a good soak a couple of times a week. Early morning is best so the water can sink in before the heat kicks up. Aiming for about an inch of water per week (including rain) is a good rule of thumb. You can use something like a tuna can to measure—once it fills up, you’ve watered enough.
Mow high
Raise your mower blade so you’re not cutting the grass too short. Taller grass helps shade the soil and hold onto moisture longer. Try not to cut off more than a third of the grass height at a time. Also, keep your mower blade sharp so the cuts are clean.
Hold off on fertilizer
Summer heat and fertilizer don’t mix well. Too much can burn your grass. If you feel like you need to feed the lawn, use a slow-release fertilizer and go easy with it. Otherwise, it’s usually better to wait until fall.
Handle weeds carefully
If you see weeds, pull them by hand if possible or spot-treat with weed killer. Spraying the whole lawn during high heat can stress the grass more than the weeds.
Limit traffic
Try not to walk or drag things over the lawn too much when it’s hot and dry. Grass under stress is more likely to get damaged or worn down.
Let grass clippings stay
When you mow, leave the clippings on the lawn. They break down quickly and help return nutrients and moisture to the soil.
Don’t freak out if it goes brown
Grass sometimes goes dormant in the summer to protect itself from the heat. It’s not dead—it’s just resting. You can give it a little water to keep the roots alive, and it’ll come back when things cool down.
