How to Safeguard Your Lawn from Summer Stress

You take great pride in the look of your lawn. But despite your best efforts, you might find your grass turning brown, even with regular watering and care. This can be incredibly frustrating—nobody wants to see unsightly brown patches on their lawn.

Even if your grass thrived in the spring, it might start to struggle as summer sets in. This is a common issue, as several factors can contribute to summer lawn stress. By understanding these issues and implementing the right summer lawn care strategies, you can protect your grass and keep it healthy.

Summer can be tough on your lawn. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons why your lawn might be turning brown during the hottest months.

Common Lawn Diseases to Watch For

If your grass is browning despite regular watering, you might be dealing with a lawn disease caused by microscopic organisms like bacteria, fungi, or nematodes.

Most summer lawn diseases are fungal. Here are some of the most prevalent ones:

• Brown Patch: This moisture-loving fungus, known as Rhizoctonia solani, often starts as small brown patches but can spread quickly.
• Dollar Spot: This disease is identified by greenish-yellow or straw-colored lesions, about the size of a silver dollar, often surrounded by a brown border. These spots can merge, forming large dead patches of turf.
• Fusarium Patch: Typically appearing during prolonged hot and dry weather, this disease manifests as small, circular, gray-green patches, ranging from a few inches to a foot in diameter.
• Pythium Blight: This disease starts as small, irregularly shaped spots and can spread rapidly during high humidity. The infected turf areas become matted, with water-soaked leaves and stems.
• Red Thread: This disease produces reddish-pink, thread-like fungal structures that form spots on your lawn, usually appearing toward the end of spring when the grass is nitrogen-deficient.

How to Handle Lawn Disease

Managing lawn disease begins with a professional inspection to determine the best course of action. In some cases, fungicides might be necessary, but sometimes adjusting cultural practices like thatch removal or seeding can resolve the issue. A lawn care professional can guide you through your options, considering factors like your specific site conditions and budget.

Common Lawn Pests to Be Aware Of

Pests can also be a major cause of brown grass in the summer. Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Grubs: These larvae of Japanese Beetles and other species feed on your lawn’s roots, causing significant damage. Preventative grub control treatments can provide season-long protection, but if you already have a grub problem, you may need a curative treatment.
• Chinch Bugs: These tiny pests live in the thatch layer of your lawn and feed on grass blades and crowns. They can destroy large areas of your lawn, especially during the peak summer months. Removing excess thatch and aerating the lawn can help, but an existing infestation may require professional treatment.
• Sod Webworms: The larvae of these dull-colored moths feed on your lawn at night, creating brown patches that can spread into large dead areas. Control products can help suppress their populations during the active feeding season.

Managing Summer Drought Stress

Extended periods of hot, dry weather can lead to drought stress, causing your lawn to wilt, brown, and potentially die. One way to determine if drought is the cause is by checking how the grass blades bounce back after being stepped on. If footprints or mower tracks remain visible, your lawn is likely drought-stressed.

You can also test soil moisture by pushing a stake or screwdriver into both brown and green patches of your lawn. If it’s harder to penetrate the brown areas, your lawn is probably suffering from dry soil related to drought stress. Deep watering in the morning, about 2 inches of water per week, can help keep your lawn green.

Proper Summer Fertilization

Fertility plays a critical role in your lawn’s health. Your soil can become depleted quickly, so it’s important to apply four to five fertilizer treatments throughout the year to replenish nutrients.

However, timing is crucial. While early and late summer fertilization is acceptable, avoid applying fertilizer during the hottest part of summer, as it can worsen turf diseases.

At Joshua Tree, we recommend fertilizing in early summer and continuing until mid-July, with a break until early September.

Avoiding Improper Mowing Practices

Mowing can also contribute to brown grass in summer. Avoid mowing during drought stress, as the grass will struggle to recover from the cuts. Additionally, make sure to mow to the proper height—only remove one-third of the blade at a time and aim to mow one to two times per week, depending on your lawn’s growth rate. Cutting too short (below 3 ½ inches) can stress your lawn further.

Your Summer Lawn Care Checklist

To keep your lawn healthy throughout the summer, follow these guidelines:

• Proactive Lawn Care: Join a regular lawn care program to prevent your lawn from succumbing to summer stressors. A healthy lawn is better equipped to withstand the challenges of summer.
• Proper Watering: If drought is an issue, water your lawn deeply in the morning, about 2 inches per week, to reduce evaporation and minimize turf disease.
• Regular Inspections: Have a professional inspect your lawn regularly to catch insect or disease problems early before they become major issues.
• Correct Mowing: Mow with a sharp blade, maintain a consistent schedule, and only remove one-third of the grass blade at a time.
• Fertilize Early: Apply fertilizer early in the summer and then pause until early fall to prevent aggravating turf diseases.
• Fall Aeration and Overseeding: Address any summer damage by aerating and overseeding in the fall, helping to thicken your lawn and repair bare spots.

Choosing the Right Lawn Care Company

The health of your lawn depends on the lawn care program you choose. Make sure to select a lawn care company that can meet your needs year-round, ensuring your lawn stays healthy and vibrant through every season.