9 summer lawn care tips to keep your grass healthy

Key points

• Adapt your lawn care routine to seasonal changes in summer when high heat and potential drought can deplete grass health.

• Use preemergent to help prevent weeds, and remove attractants such as standing water or brush piles to deter pests.

• Water your lawn deeply but not frequently for optimal irrigation, aiming for approximately 1 inch of water per week.

Summer is a great time to relax, but don’t forget about your lawn. With soaring temps, seasonal droughts and pesky pests, your lawn needs a little extra love during the summer months.

Warm weather means lots of plants popping up — including weeds. Weeds steal nutrients, water and sunlight from your grass, so start your summer lawn care maintenance early with weed prevention and continue treatments as needed.

Even if your lawn isn’t weed-free, keep up with routine maintenance, including regular mowing and deep watering. You’ll want to keep your grass between 3 and 3 1/2 inches tall and ensure it receives at least an inch of water per week.

There’s plenty more that goes into a healthy summer lawn. After researching and chatting with Kody J. Ketterling, lawn and garden expert and founder of K-IT Products, we’re sharing nine must-know summer lawn care tips for keeping your grass healthy all season long.

What are the best ways to keep your lawn healthy in summer?

A healthy lawn doesn’t happen by accident. If you’re struggling with weed control or wondering how much to mow your lawn during a drought, don’t worry — our summer lawn maintenance tips are here to lend a friendly green thumb to homeowners like you.

1. Mow high

When you mow your grass, do you give it the equivalent of a summer buzzcut? When you mow too short, it can stress the grass and weaken its root system. A short mowing height can also make grass more susceptible to heat damage and disease.

You may think you’re saving yourself some time by cutting your grass short, but you’re actually extending your list of lawn chores. Shorter grass requires more frequent watering and is more prone to weed invasion than taller grass.

Instead, adjust your mower height to leave your grass standing tall. According to the Chicago Botanic Garden, most cool-season grasses should be cut at a height of 3 to 3 1/2 inches. Leaving grass a little shaggy helps it to grow thicker and denser.

2. Feed and fertilize

A fed lawn is a happy lawn. When it doesn’t receive essential nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur), a yard can experience poor growth, discoloration and an increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Proper feeding and fertilizing becomes even more important in summer when your lawn is under added stress from heat and drought.

Learning how to fertilize can take some practice. According to the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the following tips can help you avoid fertilizer setbacks:

• Use the right kind of fertilizer, preferably one that contains slow-release nitrogen.
• Apply the fertilizer at the correct rate according to the instructions on the package — more isn’t necessarily better.
• Fertilize according to your location and grass type. In the northern U.S., it’s more important to fertilize in the spring and fall, while those living in areas with warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda or zoysia grass, should fertilize through midsummer.
• Protect local water sources by keeping fertilizer on your lawn. If it ends up on your driveway, sidewalk or street, sweep it up and put it back in the bag so it doesn’t end up in your stormwater system.

3. Treat for grubs

Grubs are the larval stage of different types of beetles, such as June bugs and European chafers. They enjoy feeding on grass roots and can cause a yard to develop weak spots that pull up like loose carpets.

You may be dealing with grubs if you notice wilting or brown grass, along with a sudden uptick in birds, raccoons or skunks. Various products are available to treat them, including granular and liquid insecticides. Just be sure to choose a treatment specifically designed for grubs.

Treatment is typically most effective when applied during the early summer, but if there is an evident infestation, you can use it at any time of the year.

4. Let clippings lie

Don’t waste time picking up your grass clippings after mowing the lawn. Instead, leave the clippings right where they lie as a natural fertilizer. They’ll break down on their own and provide a source of nutrients for your grass that’s better than anything you can whip up on your own.

Clippings also help soil retain moisture and can save you a bit of watering during the hot summer months. Contrary to popular belief, leaving grass clippings on your lawn will not contribute to thatch buildup. They simply decompose too quickly to be an issue.

When you recycle grass clippings, you do your part for the environment. Leaving your grass clippings to break down on their own helps to minimize the use of synthetic fertilizers while improving soil structure. It gives a whole new meaning to “going green.”

5. Water deeply, not frequently

We all know grass needs water to grow, especially during summer weather conditions. But there’s a moisture method that you need to keep in mind.

The Chicago Botanic Garden also has advice on moisture matters, saying that the general watering rule of thumb is 1 inch of water per week. The good news is that your lawn doesn’t care where the water comes from. Watering with sprinklers or from a rain barrel makes no difference.

What does matter is how deeply you water. Grass roots grow about 6 inches below the ground, with deeper roots growing as much as 1 foot. A quick sprinkle from a hose or a cloud isn’t enough to reach those roots, so don’t be stingy.

Here are a few tips for making sure you’re watering deep enough:

• Water in the early morning to minimize evaporation and deter fungal growth.
• Use a screwdriver to check soil moisture.
• Allow the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions.
• Grass that appears wilted or with blades curling or folding inward is likely in need of hydration.

6. Sharpen your mower blade

A clean cut, whether on your hand or a blade of grass, is likely to heal faster than a jagged one. Mowing your lawn with a dull mower blade can rip and tear your grass, lengthening its recovery time and making it more susceptible to moisture loss and lawn diseases.

A sharp mower blade ensures clean, smooth cuts that are easier to heal from. It also reduces the risk of fungal infections and helps the blades retain essential hydration (especially during the summer heat). Working with sharp blades can also improve the mower’s efficiency and save you time and fuel costs.

Kansas Healthy Yards suggests sharpening lawnmower blades after approximately 10 to 15 hours of use.

7. Control those weeds

Weeds compete with more desirable plants for water, nutrients and sunlight. Grass can struggle to survive, let alone thrive, in a weed-infested yard.

When you know how to restore a lawn full of weeds, you’ll be the envy of every homeowner. But gaining control over crabgrass isn’t simple. Weed control is especially important in summer, as weeds tend to grow faster with the warm temperatures and additional sunlight.

Ketterling said preemergent herbicide is one of the best ways to prevent a weed-infested yard come summertime. But it’s more of a preventive method than a treatment.

“For weed prevention, you want to get the preemergent down before the weed seeds start to germinate. We find that mid-March is usually a good time,” he said.

If you’re past the preemergent window, no worries. You still have some options. Applying mulch around garden beds and landscaped areas can help to suppress weed growth. Hand-pulling weeds manually can be an option for isolated areas. Finally, there are postemergent herbicides to consider for larger infestations.

8. Continue with maintenance

Don’t stop your summer yard maintenance midseason. For best results, maintain consistent watering and mowing practices throughout mid- and late summer. 

You may also want to consider aerating and overseeding in the fall if you notice poor soil conditions or thinning patches of grass.

End the year by making plans for the next growing season. Knowing when to plant grass seed in spring can make your summer routine much easier next year.

9. Seek out a pro if needed

For some homeowners, taking care of their lawn is a cherished hobby. They may be more willing to dedicate their free time and energy to maintaining their lawn year-round. But for some people, lawn care is nothing more than a chore.

Despite your best efforts, a hot summer can really take a lot out of a lawn. Calling in someone with the proper experience, tools and know-how can make all the difference, especially if you’re not crazy about early-morning watering and learning how to control weeds.

Lawn care services book up quickly in the summer, but that doesn’t mean you should hire just anyone. Only consider a lawn care company with a proven track record that offers the right services for your needs. Read past client reviews and conduct some research to ensure your lawn receives the best possible care.

What’s next?

Take a walk around your yard to assess its current condition. Note any areas needing extra TLC and develop a personalized lawn care plan based on our summer lawn care tips. 

For example, if you notice patches of weeds or chewed leaves — a telltale sign of a pest infestation — decide between a nonchemical or commercial pest control approach and begin treatment. This may delay other steps in your lawn care routine, such as watering or mowing.

Also, check for areas where your soil may be compacted. You can use a garden fork or note areas that experience excessive water pooling. Aeration can help encourage healthy root growth — just avoid aerating during a drought or immediately after a strong storm.

Remember, preparation and maintenance are key. Keep this list in tow, and you’ll have the best lawn on the block in no time.

Top local lawn care providers near you

Austin, Texas Boston, Mass. Brooklyn, N.Y. Charlotte, N.C. Chicago, Ill. Columbus, Ohio Dallas, Texas Denver, Colo. Fort Worth, Texas Houston, Texas Indianapolis, Ind. Jacksonville, Fla. Las Vegas, Nev. Los Angeles, Calif. Louisville, Ky. Manhattan, N.Y. Nashville, Tenn. New York City, N.Y. Philadelphia, Pa. Phoenix, Ariz. Queens, N.Y. San Antonio, Texas San Diego, Calif. San Francisco San Jose, Calif. Seattle, Wash. The Bronx, N.Y. Washington, D.C.