Summer Grass Preservation: 5 Strategies to Help Your Lawn Endure the Heatwave
In the heart of summer, the health of your lawn depends on the frequency and timing of watering, mowing, mulching, and fertilizing. These practices are crucial for promoting deep root growth, reducing stress, and preventing diseases, leading to a vibrant lawn throughout the hot season.
Watering
Water your lawn early in the morning, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m., to minimise evaporation and allow absorption before heat increases. Aim for deep but infrequent watering—about 1 inch per week split into one or two sessions—to encourage roots to grow deeper, improving drought resistance. Overwatering leads to shallow roots and disease risk. Adjust watering frequency based on soil type, such as clay soils needing longer, less frequent watering.
Mowing
Raise your mower blades to around 3 to 4 inches during summer to shade soil and retain moisture, which supports stronger root systems and reduces weeds. Mow when the grass is dry to avoid tearing blades, which causes stress and fungal infections. Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts, which help grass recover better. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn acts as natural mulch, returning nutrients and retaining moisture.
Mulching
Grass clippings left on the lawn serve as natural mulch, helping soil moisture retention and supplying nutrients. Mulching reduces weed growth and water evaporation.
Fertilizing
Fertilize appropriately during summer to supply essential nutrients that support growth under heat stress. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn grass or promote excessive leaf growth with weaker roots. Properly time fertilizing by watering the lawn well a few days before and applying the fertilizer when the grass is dry, to avoid fertilizer burns. Fertilize in early summer in advance of hot weather, to allow the lawn to build strength and resilience before the heat strikes. Wait to fertilize in the fall, and again in spring.
With these tips in mind, you can reduce stress on your lawn, encourage deep roots, minimise disease, conserve water, and support a vibrant lawn throughout the hot season.
Sources:
- Melanie Griffiths, an experienced gardener who has worked in homes and gardens media for over 20 years.
- Mary Ellen Ellis, a writer.
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Incorporate gardening techniques, such as watering, mowing, mulching, and fertilizing, into your home-and-garden lifestyle to ensure a thriving lawn, even during the summer. The proper lifestyle choices for gardening, like deep but infrequent watering and raising mower blades, enable a more robust root system that can withstand heat stress and drought.
