- 1. Know Your Grass<\/a><\/li>
- 2. When and How to Water<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Mowing<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Look Out for Pests<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Overseeding in the Summer<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Fertilizing the Lawn in the Summer<\/a><\/li>
- 7. When to Aerate<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Basic Lawn Care Service Costs<\/a><\/li>
- FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
1. Know Your Grass<\/strong><\/h2>
When it comes to taking care of your lawn in the summer drought conditions of Sacramento, you want to be sure to know your grass type.<\/p>
Some lawns in Sacramento use warm-season grasses, but others use cool-season grasses. When it comes to summer, they are on different growing cycles. Below we\u2019ll detail the differences between the two grass types and which are the 6 Best Grass Types for Sacramento, CA<\/a>.<\/p>
Warm-Season Grasses<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Warm](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-warm-season-growth.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Warm-season grasses are a common choice in Sacramento because:<\/p>
- Heat <\/strong>is something in which they thrive.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Drought: <\/strong>Warm-season grasses<\/a> handle drought better than cool-season grasses.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>They need less fertilizer, making them easier to maintain<\/li> <\/ul>
Warm-season grasses common to Sacramento: <\/strong>St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, Buffalograss<\/p>
Cool-Season Grasses<\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Cool](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_1ls-cool-season-growth-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Cool-season grasses are the choice because:<\/p>
- Two growing seasons<\/strong>, in the spring and fall.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Dormant in summer<\/strong>. If it gets too hot or the drought conditions rise too high, cool-season grasses<\/a> can go dormant, which enables them to survive until fall.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Green in winter. <\/strong>Unlike warm-season grasses, that will go dormant after the first frost.<\/li> <\/ul>
Cool-season grasses common to Sacramento: <\/strong>Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass<\/p>
For more information: <\/strong>If you\u2019d love more information on how to care for your Sacramento lawn in fall or spring, check out our other guides below:<\/p>
- 10 Fall Lawn Care Tips for Sacramento, CA
<\/a><\/li>- 11 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Sacramento, CA<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
2. When and How to Water<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"water](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Watering-the-Lawn.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Even during times of drought, you will need to water your lawn in the summer. The city of Sacramento has an ordinance on water use that establishes a watering schedule and watering guidelines for residents. <\/p>
Here are specific ways Sacramento homeowners can conserve water in their lawns:<\/p>
- Drip irrigation <\/strong>is currently allowed at any time. Drip irrigation is especially effective at conserving water, both for ornamental plants and for lawns (subsurface drip irrigation<\/a>).<\/li> <\/ul>
- A hose with a spray nozzle<\/strong> can be used at any time (as of this writing).<\/li> <\/ul>
- Smart controllers <\/strong>can be used at any time, but they must be approved by the city. <\/li> <\/ul>
- Potted plants<\/strong> allow you to water a small, targeted area.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Edible gardens<\/strong> help you grow your own food.<\/li> <\/ul>
Something to consider: Painting the lawn green<\/a>. Golf courses have long done it. It might be time for you to do it to your lawn.<\/p>
Measure the Amount of Water Your Lawn Is Getting<\/h3>
Know how much water your sprinklers put out to use only the amount your lawn needs and no more. <\/p>
- You can buy a rain gauge<\/strong>. They can cost less than $10, though you might want to place several around your yard, increasing the expense.<\/li> <\/ul>
- You can improvise your own. <\/strong>Place some straight-sided cans (tuna cans are just right) around the yard to audit your water usage<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
A pro\u2019s tip<\/strong>: Be sure to audit a drip irrigation system, too. They can become clogged, or have parts that need to be replaced.<\/p>
3. Mowing<\/strong><\/h2>
You should know the one-third rule as you operate your mower, and follow it.<\/p>
![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_ls-one-third-rule-illustration-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Mowing Heights in Summer <\/strong><\/h3>
- You can improvise your own. <\/strong>Place some straight-sided cans (tuna cans are just right) around the yard to audit your water usage<\/a>.<\/li> <\/ul>
- You can buy a rain gauge<\/strong>. They can cost less than $10, though you might want to place several around your yard, increasing the expense.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Edible gardens<\/strong> help you grow your own food.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Potted plants<\/strong> allow you to water a small, targeted area.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Smart controllers <\/strong>can be used at any time, but they must be approved by the city. <\/li> <\/ul>
- A hose with a spray nozzle<\/strong> can be used at any time (as of this writing).<\/li> <\/ul>
- 11 Spring Lawn Care Tips for Sacramento, CA<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- 10 Fall Lawn Care Tips for Sacramento, CA
- Green in winter. <\/strong>Unlike warm-season grasses, that will go dormant after the first frost.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Dormant in summer<\/strong>. If it gets too hot or the drought conditions rise too high, cool-season grasses<\/a> can go dormant, which enables them to survive until fall.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Two growing seasons<\/strong>, in the spring and fall.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Maintenance: <\/strong>They need less fertilizer, making them easier to maintain<\/li> <\/ul>
- Drought: <\/strong>Warm-season grasses<\/a> handle drought better than cool-season grasses.<\/li> <\/ul>
- 2. When and How to Water<\/a><\/li>
![\"japanese](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/rsz_lawnlove-japanese-beetle-lifecycle-update.jpg\")
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/rsz_shutterstock_136965278.jpg\")
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/aeration.jpg\")