Tips for Keeping Your Lawn Green in the Summer Heat

The grass is greener on the other side of these helpful tips

We are officially fully into summer, and if you’re wondering why your lawn isn’t looking as verdant as it was a few weeks ago, know that you aren’t alone. The heat can turn your lawn from bright green to golden brown before you know it. However, that does not mean your lawn can’t stay green this season. Here are some tips for keeping your lawn green, despite the summer heat.

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Change Up Your Treatment

The products you use when the weather is cold may not be the best choice for hotter seasons. Teri Valenzuela of Sunday suggests Drought Defense—a treatment formulated with an advanced surfactant technology that helps your lawn survive drought conditions and retain water in the summer heat. “This hose-on liquid lawn treatment helps your lawn absorb water more efficiently and can reduce water needs by up to 20 percent.” You’ll want to stay a step ahead and don’t wait until your grass is brown to treat it, if possible.

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Install a Watering Timer

“Watering timers are a seriously underrated tool for surviving the summer heat,” says Valenzuela. “For less than $20, you can time your watering sessions correctly, allowing you to grow deep-rooting grass while cutting your water bill in half.”

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Upgrade to a Smart Sprinkler System

A smart sprinkler system is an inexpensive lawn upgrade if you already have an in-ground system. This can make maintaining your lawn much easier, especially if you are busy or planning to be away from home this summer.

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Water Deeply and Infrequently

This might sound counterintuitive, but watering deeply and infrequently is a tried-and-true method to reduce unnecessary daily water usage. “Simply water one to three [times] per week for 30-minute sessions, depending on rain and water restrictions,” she explains. “This method encourages water movement deeper into the soil, leading to deeper root growth and healthier grass that needs less watering.”

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Water Your Grass Before Temperatures Rise

If the thermostat shows it’s already 95 degrees out, it’s probably not an ideal time to water your lawn. Valenzuela recommends watering during the cooler hours of the day such as the morning. “This will help you to avoid losing water to mid-day heat and help your lawn retain more water.”

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Mow High

Valenzuela advises mowing your grass on the highest blade setting for your mower and not cutting it until it reaches its maximum height. “Cut cool-season grasses when they reach 4 to 6 inches and warm-season when they reach 3 to 4 inches.”

Just keep in mind that if your home is located in an HOA, you may not be able to do this. So be sure to check the rules before changing up your mowing schedule.