As we move into the hottest part of the season, your lawn needs a little extra care to stay green and resilient. High temperatures, drought conditions, and increased foot traffic can take a toll on even the healthiest grass. At Eagleyard, we believe a healthy lawn is a team effort—and we’re here to help you get the best results, even when the heat is on.
Watering: Deep and Infrequent
Unless you have recently overseeded, the best thing you can do for your grass is to water deeply, but less often. For mature lawns, we recommend:
- Watering once or twice per week for 1–2 hours, early in the morning.
- A deep watering for a lawn typically involves applying enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, which generally requires 1-1.5 inches of water per week. (Your lawn will not get this amount of water from rainfall.)
- If it's extremely hot and dry, you can increase from once to twice per week.
- Consider using a sprinkler timer to automate watering and avoid missed days.
- Watering too frequently for short periods can promote shallow root growth and fungal disease, if done in the evening.
Why deep watering? It helps train roots to grow down into the soil, making your lawn more drought-tolerant. Some grass varieties can grow roots as deep as 14 inches!
If you’ve recently overseeded, continue daily watering for 20–30 minutes for at least two weeks to give the new grass the best shot at establishing.
Mowing Tips
- Sharpen your mower blades – Dull blades tear grass, causing brown tips and increased vulnerability to disease
- Mow High, Not Low – Keep your grass height around 3 inches tall. Cutting grass too short in the summer heat can lead to sunburned grass and exposed soil, which dries out quickly.
Weed Control in High Heat
During high temperatures (around 28°C and above), we cannot apply weed control sprays—they can stress your grass and burn your lawn. But don’t worry! Once temperatures come down, we’ll resume treatments as part of your regular care plan.
Look out for Chinch Bug Damage
Chinch bugs love the heat and often show up in July and August. They cause dry, yellowing patches that can quickly spread. The bugs themselves are tiny and hard to spot, but here's a trick:
- Pull up a patch of turf, soil and all.
- Submerge it in a container of water.
- Wait a few minutes—chinch bugs will float to the surface.
If you suspect chinch bugs between visits, give us a call. Treatment is included in all Eagleyard lawn care packages!
What About Crabgrass?
Crabgrass is a common summer weed, but unlike most weeds, it’s actually a type of grass, so traditional weed sprays won’t control it. The best way to keep crabgrass in check:
- Hand pull when spotted.
- Maintain a thick, healthy lawn to prevent it from establishing in the first place.
A Healthy Lawn Starts with Healthy Soil
The best defence against heat, weeds, and pests is strong, resilient turf. That means proper mowing, deep watering, good soil nutrition, and a little teamwork.
If you ever have questions, our team is just a call or email away. We’re always happy to help!
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