- Warm-Season vs Cool-Season Summer Lawn Care<\/a><\/li>
- Mow High and Mow Properly<\/a><\/li>
- Water Appropriately<\/a><\/li>
- Fertilize Your Warm-Season Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Keep on Top of Pest Control<\/a><\/li>
- Watch for Weeds and Diseases<\/a><\/li>
- Keep Your Lawn Clean<\/a><\/li>
- Aerate Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Overseed If Needed<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Warm-Season vs Cool-Season Summer Lawn Care<\/h2>
Your summer lawn care routine will depend on what turfgrass you have and what your area\u2019s climate is like.<\/p>
\u201cKnow[ing] what kind of grass you have is the first thing,\u201d says Ron Meyer, agronomist and crop production agent with the Colorado State Extension Service in Phillips County. While knowing exactly what turf species you have is important, you\u2019ll be fine if you only know what type of grass<\/a> you have: cool-season or warm-season.<\/p>
How do you figure out if your lawn has warm-season or cool-season grass? Typically, northern states have cool-season grass, and southern states have warm-season grass. But what if you\u2019re in the transition zone<\/a>? A good way to know is by observing your lawn\u2019s growth cycle. Does your grass grow more in the summer, spring, or fall? Let\u2019s look at the two types of turfgrasses.<\/p>
Warm-Season Grass<\/h3>
According to Texas A&M University\u2019s AgriLife Extension<\/a>, warm-season grasses grow best when air temperatures hover in the 70s. This grass type also typically handles drought better than cool-season grass.<\/p>
The growth chart for warm-season grasses throughout the seasons looks like a simple curve. They start ramping up their growth once warmer temperatures come in February and March, peaking at around June to July. When temperatures start getting cooler, their growth slows down; this usually happens around late summer and continues throughout the fall and winter months.<\/p>
![\"Warm](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-warm-season-growth.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Because of this, the brunt of warm-season lawn care<\/a> falls within the summer months when warm-season turf is actively growing. Here are some of the most popular warm-season grasses:<\/p>
- Zoysiagrass<\/li>
- Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li>
- St. Augustinegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Buffalograss<\/li>
- Bahiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- Carpetgrass<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Cool-Season Grass<\/h3>
On the other side of the fence, we have cool-season grass. According to Texas A&M, cool-season lawns thrive when air temperatures are in the 60s.<\/p>
Cool-season turf growth inverts that of warm-season grass. Cool-season grass types grow vigorously in spring and fall and slow down in the summer. Their growth typically peaks in April and then again in October. These grass types typically handle the cold better than warm-season grasses.<\/p>
![\"Cool](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1ls-cool-season-growth.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Most cool-season lawn care<\/a> happens in the spring and fall. In the summer, homeowners typically only need to water, mow, and clean their cool-season turf. Here are some of the most popular cool-season grasses:<\/p>
- Kentucky bluegrass<\/li>
- Tall fescue<\/a><\/li>
- Fine fescue<\/li>
- Perennial ryegrass<\/li>
- Bentgrasses<\/li> <\/ul>
Mow High and Mow Properly<\/h2>
This summer, you should let your grass grow a little taller and mow high. Mowing your turf high encourages strong root growth, which helps your lawn become more heat-tolerant and drought-resistant. Taller grass also provides more shade that discourages weeds from growing and cools your soil down a little. <\/p>
For warm-season grasses<\/strong>, you should set your mowing height between 2 to 3 inches high. <\/p>
Cool-season grasses<\/strong> should be mowed even higher \u2013 no shorter than 3 inches tall.<\/p>
When you mow, try not to take off more than \u2153 of your grass blades\u2019 height. Any more than \u2153 can cause unnecessary stress on your lawn. Stress can make it easier for pests, weeds, and diseases to latch onto your lawn.<\/p>
The following tips also go into mowing the lawn correctly<\/a>. <\/p>
Sharpen Your Mower Blades<\/h3>
![\"lawn](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Untitled-design-5.jpg\")
Sharpening of Lawn Mower Blade
Photo Credit: isuaneye<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>Make sure to sharpen your mower blades<\/a> before you rev up your lawn mower this summer. Sharp blades make for a clean and healthy cut; dull blades can cause your lawn to turn brown and sickly. Why does that happen? Instead of cleanly cutting away the top part of the grass blade, dull blades on your lawn mower rip and tear it away. This also stresses your grass out.<\/p>
Practice Grasscycling<\/h3>
What do you do with those grass clippings after mowing your lawn? Instead of throwing them away, you should reuse them. Called \u201cgrasscycling\u201d, reusing lawn clippings<\/a> can save you some money and leave your turf healthier. You can simply spread the clippings out on your lawn as mulch; it\u2019s even better if you can cut them smaller with a mulching blade. <\/p>
Mulched grass clippings help maintain moisture levels in your lawn. As they decompose, they even double as a free and natural fertilizer. Just make sure that your grass clippings are dry when you use them. You don\u2019t want them to trap too much moisture, which invites fungi and rot.<\/p>
If you don\u2019t want to mulch your lawn clippings \u2013 or if you\u2019re swimming in them \u2013 you can add them to your compost pile instead.<\/p>
Water Appropriately<\/h2>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Watering-the-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Watering your lawn is key to keeping it alive throughout the summer months. It\u2019s important to know what type of grass you have on your lawn partly because their water needs will be quite different. When temperatures reach 85 degrees, Meyer says, warm-season grass types need about 1 inch of water per week, and cool-season grasses double that. <\/p>
If cool-season grasses don\u2019t get enough water, they\u2019ll go dormant. While most grasses don\u2019t mind going dormant, dormancy can be more harmful for some grasses like tall fescue, as they can\u2019t recover as fast as other grass types.<\/p>
Here are some lawn watering tips<\/a> to help you out:<\/p>
Water Early<\/h3>
The best time to water your grass<\/a> is the early morning, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. This allows more water to reach the roots, reduces water waste due to evaporation, and gives the grass a chance to dry off. If you water too late in the morning, you can scald your lawn. Avoid evening watering at all costs because your grass will stay wet for too long, inviting fungal diseases.<\/p>
Avoid Overwatering<\/h3>
You want the water to penetrate 6 to 8 inches deep into the soil. You can find out if you\u2019re over- or underwatering by driving a small tool, like a screwdriver or small trowel, into the soil. If the soil is dry and you\u2019re having a tough time getting it through, then you\u2019re underwatering. If it slips right in, you\u2019re overwatering.<\/p>
You can figure out how long to run your sprinklers using the tuna can trick. Get a bunch of straight-sided cans \u2013 tuna or cat food cans work well \u2013 and place them around your sprinklers. Set a timer and let your irrigation system run until the water reaches your desired amount. The time it takes to fill the cans to your desired amount is how long you should let your sprinklers run. You could also invest in a rain gauge.<\/p>
Lastly, don\u2019t water every day. Once or twice a week is enough even during drought conditions. Watering deeply and infrequently promotes a strong root system that can handle drought better. Watering too often leads to shallow roots.<\/p>
Keep an Eye on Your Grass<\/h3>
Your grass will show signs when it\u2019s not getting enough water. These signs include:<\/p>
- Grass blades fold up<\/li>
- Wilting<\/li>
- Grass turns blue-gray<\/li>
- Footprints don\u2019t disappear after you walk on the grass<\/li> <\/ul>
Mind the Rain<\/h3>
Keep an eye on the weather forecast! Try not to water if it\u2019s expected to rain in the coming days; that way, you\u2019ll save water and avoid overwatering. In the same vein, don\u2019t water after it has rained. Meyer says a good rule of thumb is that if you get an inch of rain, take about five days off from watering. If you get less than that, lay off only for a few days.<\/p>
Leave Dormant Grass Alone<\/h3>
If your grass does go dormant, don\u2019t worry too much. It\u2019s best to leave it alone than to try and water it back to life. Reduce the amount of water you give your warm-season grass to \u00bd to \u00bc inch of water once or twice a week. For cool-season lawns, reduce to around \u00bd inch of water every two to four weeks, just enough to get them through the summer drought.<\/p>
Your turf is quite sensitive when it has gone dormant. Refrain from mowing, stepping on, or parking on it, too.<\/p>
Fertilize Your Warm-Season Lawn<\/h2>
Since summer is the prime growing season for warm-season grasses, it\u2019s the best time for warm-season lawn fertilization<\/a>. Feed your turf with a slow-release fertilizer in the early summer so that it gets the nutrients it needs to thrive. <\/p>
Just make sure not to apply too much, as your grass can burn. This is especially true mid-summer; the new growth won\u2019t be able to handle the hot weather. You can fertilize again in late summer around Labor Day.<\/p>
Don\u2019t fertilize if you have a cool-season lawn. Cool-season grasses should be fertilized in the fall and then again in the spring.<\/p>
Already know what type of grass you have? Check out our guides below so that you can develop a summer fertilization schedule for your warm-season lawn: <\/p>
- When to Fertilize Centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- When to Fertilize Buffalograss<\/a><\/li>
- When to Fertilize Zoysiagrass<\/a><\/li>
- When to Fertilize Bermudagrass<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Keep on Top of Pest Control<\/h2>
The warm temperatures can bring pests out of the woodwork. Depending on where you live, summer pests<\/a> could include June beetles, chinch bugs, cutworms, armyworms, and sod webworms.<\/p>
Some of the most destructive lawn pests around are white grubs<\/a>. These beetle grub larvae will eat through your turf\u2019s roots, leaving the grass blades behind. Turf ravaged by lawn grubs can leave brown spots, and you can easily lift affected grass from the soil, as it doesn\u2019t have a root system to keep it in the soil anymore. You might even be able to see these pests curled up and resting.<\/p>
Treat your lawn for pests early in the summer to beat the heat. Spot-treat rather than applying pesticides everywhere as much as possible, as pesticides can damage your grass during drought conditions. Always read the label before using pesticides, or consider contacting a pest control company to get rid of these unwelcome visitors.<\/p>
Watch for Weeds and Diseases<\/h2>
![\"Brown](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Brown_Patch.jpg\")
Brown patch
Photo Credit: Scot Nelson<\/a> \/ Wikimedia Commons \/ CC0 1.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>In the summer, weeds might set up shop on your lawn. Spot-treat with post-emergent herbicide<\/a> as much as possible; most herbicides target broadleaf plants, which can include shrubs, trees, crops, and flowers. <\/p>
Like with pests, control weeds early in the season and avoid using herbicides when it\u2019s 85 degrees or higher outside. Don\u2019t mow before or after applying weed control products so they can reach the offending plants. Don\u2019t apply herbicide before or after it rains, either, or else your herbicide won\u2019t stick. Lastly, avoid applying herbicide during drought conditions, as this can seriously affect turf health.<\/p>
Summer is also the prime time for some lawn diseases like brown patch<\/a>, summer patch, and rust. As always, read the label before using a fungicide to make sure you\u2019re using it correctly and safely. Spot-treat for fungal diseases as much as possible.<\/p>
Keep Your Lawn Clean<\/h2>
Dogs are man\u2019s best friend, but they can be your lawn\u2019s enemy. When your pooch defecates in your yard, pick up after them, or else you might find yourself with brown spots on your lawn. Urine can also cause brown spots<\/a> to appear on your turf; flush it out with water after your pet finishes peeing.<\/p>
Even better than cleaning up after your furry friends is teaching them to do their business off of your lawn, like in a pebbled area.<\/p>
Animal waste isn\u2019t the only thing you should remove from your yard. Pick up any litter you find; put away any tools and toys left on your lawn, too.<\/p>
Aerate Your Lawn<\/h2>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/Aerate-Tool.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Throughout the year, your lawn\u2019s soil will get compacted, restricting the flow of nutrients, water, and air to your turf\u2019s root system. Aerating your warm-season lawn<\/a> loosens up your soil so that this doesn\u2019t become an issue anymore. <\/p>
It\u2019s not required to do this in summer; in fact, it might be better for some lawns to be aerated in the fall or spring. If you decide you want to aerate this summer, do it in the last few weeks of the season. Don’t<\/em> aerate cool-season lawns in summer. <\/p>
Overseed If Needed<\/h2>
![\"overseeding](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/overseeding-lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Shutterstock<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Is your lawn looking a little patchy or thin? Early summer is the best time of year to overseed warm-season turf<\/a>. Overseeding early in the season encourages the new grass to grow. Just keep in mind that the new turf should be watered frequently for the first few weeks until it can establish itself. Hold off on fertilizing your new grass as well. It’s better not to fertilize and overseed at the same time<\/a>.<\/p>
FAQs About Summer Lawn Care<\/h2>
When should you aerate your cool-season lawn?<\/strong>You should aerate cool-season grass in the spring or fall when it\u2019s actively growing. Lawn aeration can damage your turf a little, so do it when your grass can regrow and recover.<\/p> <\/div>
Should you dethatch your lawn in the summer?<\/strong>If you want to dethatch your warm-season turf, early summer is the time to do it. If you have a cool-season lawn, hold off until the fall or next year\u2019s spring to dethatch your lawn<\/a>.<\/p> <\/div>
How do you reduce your lawn\u2019s water use in the summer?<\/strong>There are a few ways to make your lawn less thirsty. Pick drought-tolerant grass and plants; look into getting some native plants in your yard<\/a> as they\u2019re well-adapted to the climate of your area.\u00a0
How do you mitigate the summer heat?<\/strong>If you\u2019re feeling the heat, why not add some trees<\/a> to your yard? Trees can help cool down homes. However, you should do your research before planting, as not all trees will be beneficial to your property. For example, some of them can be really thirsty and large, like weeping willows.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Keep Your Lawn Healthy in the Summertime<\/h2>
Drought, pests, weeds, and disease, oh my! Summer can bring these challenges to your lawn, but following these summer lawn care tips will keep these issues at bay. <\/p>
If you\u2019d rather enjoy your summer on the beach or at the lake, why not hire a local lawn care company to do the work for you? Now, you won\u2019t have to pick between having a lush and healthy lawn and a relaxing weekend. Connect with a local lawn care service<\/a> on LawnStarter today!<\/p>
- When to Fertilize Buffalograss<\/a><\/li>
- When to Fertilize Centipedegrass<\/a><\/li>
- St. Augustinegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Mow High and Mow Properly<\/a><\/li>