Keep You Lawn Looking Great in the Summer Heat

Mid-summer in the Midwest brings intense heat, high humidity, and occasional drought conditions that can stress your lawn. It is not unusual for heat indices to reach over 105 degrees. At Barefoot Lawn Care, we want your lawn to remain green, lush, and healthy throughout the entire season. Here are essential tips to keep your lawn thriving during the hottest months.

Water Deeply and Infrequently

The frequency and duration of watering your lawn both have a significant impact on its ability to withstand the summer heat. Many homeowners believe they should water daily, but this practice encourages shallow root growth, resulting in less healthy grass. Shallow roots are not ideal for lawn health. You want to promote deeper root growth for stronger, healthier grass. Deeper roots can reach water that is deeper in the ground. This helps the grass reach water during hotter, drier periods of the summer. The grass is also able to reach more nutrients in the soil. Heavy clay or soil lacking organic matter can also contribute to the development of shallower root systems.

Watering Tips for Summer:

  • Water early in the morning (before 10 AM) to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal diseases. Watering late in the day can create moist conditions overnight, creating an ideal environment for fungal growth that can cause extensive damage to your lawn.
  • Aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall, to reach deeper roots. We recommend once a week in milder conditions, but in extreme heat and drought, you may need to add an additional day of watering.
  • Use a rain gauge or a tin can to measure how much water your lawn receives. You can adjust your watering schedule to increase or decrease the amount of water your lawn receives each week. This can also save you money if you are watering too much.

Mow Properly

Mowing too short in mid-summer can severely damage grass. To reduce heat stress:

  • Raise your mower blade to 3-4 inches. This helps prevent the sun from scorching the crown of the grass, which can kill the plant.
  • Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This stresses the grass and can lead to poor lawn conditions. Cutting too much grass at one time can also leave extra clumps of grass on the lawn, suffocating areas, and requiring reseeding.
  • Keep mower blades sharp to avoid tearing grass tips, which leads to browning.

Don’t Overfertilize

Over-fertilizing during extreme heat can burn your lawn. You can fertilize if needed, but focus on a lighter application of slow-release fertilizers and ensure they are watered in well. Ideally, most fertilization should occur during the cooler months of the season.

Summer Fertilization Tips:

  • Apply light, slow-release fertilizer in early summer or wait until fall for heavy feeding.
  • Barefoot Lawn Care offers professional fertilization schedules tailored to Midwest lawns to avoid overfeeding during stress periods.

Manage Weeds Strategically

Weeds compete with grass for water and nutrients. Mid-summer is not ideal for heavy herbicide use due to potential lawn stress. We treat lawns in the summer for weed problems, focusing on spot-treating first. If broad applications are required, it is helpful to ensure the lawn has been thoroughly watered with healthy grass that is not experiencing severe heat stress. Applying the weed killer on cooler days and mornings can also be beneficial. Once the temperatures climb, the weeds are less likely to absorb the weed killer, so hot summer applications are not always as successful.

  • Spot-treat broadleaf weeds if necessary.
  • Plan for a comprehensive weed control program in spring and fall for better long-term results.

Watch for Pests and Diseases

Midwest lawns are prone to issues like grubs and fungal diseases in humid summer weather. If you need information about grub and fungal treatments, contact Barefoot Lawn Care today. 

  • Grubs: Look for brown patches that lift like carpet, indicating root damage. Preventative treatments in June or July are best, but if you notice damage now, contact us for quick-kill options.
  • Fungal diseases: Brown patch and dollar spot thrive in humid heat. Avoid evening watering and improve air circulation to prevent these. We can put down preventative fungal treatments to ensure your lawn stays healthy in the summer months.

Avoid Heavy Traffic During Stress

Heat and drought-stressed grass is more susceptible to damage. As the grass dries out and is affected by the heat, it becomes more brittle and prone to damage.

When your lawn is under heat stress:

  • Minimize foot traffic and mowing frequency if the grass isn’t actively growing.
  • Park vehicles off the grass to prevent compaction and damage.

Let Barefoot Lawn Care Help Your Lawn Beat the Heat

Mid-summer lawn care requires strategic watering, mowing, and maintenance to keep your lawn healthy through scorching Midwest summers. Barefoot Lawn Care can customize treatments for your lawn’s specific needs, including fertilization, grub control, and fungus prevention. Contact us today  or call (816) 663-1881 to keep your lawn looking its best all summer long.