The thermometer hits 90. Your grass starts to fade. By August, that lush green yard looks more like a straw-colored mess. It happens every year. But it does not have to. A few smart moves can keep your lawn alive through Indiana’s brutal summers. These lawn care tips for summer are simple. They work and they will save you from staring at a crispy yard until fall.
Cutting grass short seems like a good idea. Less mowing, right? Wrong. Short grass means shallow roots. Shallow roots mean heat stress. Set your mower to 3.5 to 4 inches during summer. Taller grass shades the soil. It holds moisture longer. It also crowds out weeds naturally.
Daily sprinkling is a trap. It keeps the surface wet, but roots stay shallow. Instead, water deeply once or twice a week. Aim for about one inch of water total, including rainfall. Water in the early morning so blades dry before nightfall. Evening watering invites fungus.
Summer is not the time for heavy feeding. High nitrogen fertilizers push growth, which stresses grass in the heat. If your lawn looks pale, consider an application with slow-release nitrogen or potassium to strengthen roots. Too much nitrogen now will just make brown patches worse.
Weeds love summer. They steal water and nutrients from your grass. Spot treat them with a targeted herbicide or pull them by hand. Healthy, thick grass is your best defense. If you notice large bare spots, slice seeding and seeding in the fall will fix them. Our Happy lawn PLUS include aeration and slice seeding to fill in thin areas before winter.
Dull mower blades tear grass. Tearing stresses the plant and invites disease. Keep blades sharp so you get a clean cut. Also, leave grass clippings on the lawn if it is weed-free. Those clippings return nitrogen to the soil.
Early fall is the best time for seeding or slice seeding in Indiana. Spring and summer seeding often fails because heat arrives before roots establish. If you have bare spots, wait until September.
Our clay soil program improves drainage and root growth so your grass can handle heat better. Liquid aeration keeps soil soft between mechanical treatments. We also offer complete lawn care packages that include fertilization, aeration, and weed control tailored for Indiana summers.
These lawn care tips for summer will keep your grass alive. But if you would rather leave it to the pros, Blue Duck Lawn Care serves Central Indiana, Northern Indianapolis, and the greater metro area. Contact us today at (317) 961-2966 or get a quick price estimate for free when you click HERE.
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