How to Protect Your Lawn During a Heat Dome | Summer Lawn Care Tips
Prepare Your Lawn for the Coming Heat Dome
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Welcome to Summer Lawn Work
Hey there Lawn Care Nuts — welcome to the first day of summer (well, almost). The official start is June 20, also known as the summer solstice, and it’s the longest day of the year. That means more daylight for weeknight lawn work and evening mowing.
This year, we’re heading straight into a major weather event: a heat dome. That means extreme heat and high humidity are on the way. Don’t worry — we’ve got the tips you need to protect your lawn and keep it green.
Let’s talk mowing. As summer ramps up, it’s time to resist the urge to scalp your lawn. Raise your mower deck and leave your grass on the taller side—tall grass isn’t just for looks! Taller blades mean deeper roots, which help your lawn tap into moisture that’s buried down below (especially clutch when things start to heat up).
Start Strong: Feed Your Lawn Early
Giving your lawn a solid meal in early summer isn’t just tradition—it’s strategic. A well-fed lawn is primed to handle whatever Mother Nature throws its way, especially when the forecast calls for heat waves and drought. Think of it as fortifying your grass with the nutrients it needs to deepen its roots and stay resilient.
By feeding now, you’re:
- Boosting root growth, which helps lawns seek out water deeper in the soil
- Giving grass the strength to recover from heat stress or heavy foot traffic
Promoting vibrant color, even during those relentless summer scorchers
So don’t skip the summer feed! A nourished lawn has a fighting chance, even when temperatures soar.
Top Lawn Care Tips for a Heat Dome
1. Get Your Watering Plan Set
If you’ve been procrastinating on setting up sprinklers or dragging out hoses, now is the time. Everyone — no matter the region — will need to water during this heat dome. Watch this video on setting up your watering plan.
How to Water Deeply (and Know When You’ve Nailed It)
Deep watering is the secret to helping your lawn withstand intense summer heat. You want those roots to grow deep, not sit shallow at the surface.
Here’s what to do: Give your grass a solid soak so that water reaches about 4–6 inches down into the soil—wondering how to tell if you’re getting there? Grab a screwdriver, soil probe, or even a small trowel and push it into the ground shortly after watering. If it slides in easily to that depth, your lawn is properly hydrated. If not, bump up your watering time until the soil is moist down where those roots will thrive.
Water Early for Maximum Impact
Timing is everything—especially during a heat wave. Watering your lawn in the morning, ideally between 6 a.m. And 10 a.m., gives your grass a fighting chance before temperatures soar. Early watering allows moisture to soak deep into the soil, where roots can put it to good use. Plus, you’ll lose far less water to evaporation compared to midday or afternoon sessions.
Bonus: cooler morning temps mean less stress for you, too. Brew some coffee, enjoy the peace, and give your grass the fresh start it needs to tackle the heat.
(Pro tip: You can retire the screwdriver once you’ve dialed in your watering schedule…but carrying it around does make you look like you mean business in the neighborhood.)
2. Use Moisture Max to Maximize Water Efficiency
Moisture Max is our new Hydretain alternative. It helps your watering go further by improving soil moisture retention. It won’t eliminate the need to water, but it can help your lawn bounce back faster.
- Available in both liquid and granular form
- App rate for granular: 3 lbs per 1,000 sq ft
- See Moisture Max in action here
Pro Tip: If you want to really set your lawn up for success this summer, consider pairing Moisture Max with a solid summer lawn food and season-long grub control. Applying a quality fertilizer in tandem with moisture management ensures your grass gets the nutrients it needs while making the most of every drop of water. If you’re dealing with insect pressure (like grubs), a preventative treatment now can save you headaches later when the heat and stress are at their peak.
Quick Recap:
- Add Moisture Max to your summer lineup to conserve water.
- Consider a summer-specific fertilizer to keep your lawn fed.
- Don’t forget about grub control—nothing ruins a green lawn faster than hungry critters beneath the soil.
A little planning now means less stress (for you and your lawn) when the heat dome arrives.
3. Feed Lightly and Time It Right
Mid-summer is not the time to go overboard with fertilizer, especially during a heat dome. If you want to give your lawn a boost, opt for a slow-release, balanced fertilizer and apply at half the rate compared to spring or fall feedings. Always check your product label for specifics, but in general:
- Feed cool-season lawns every 6–8 weeks, but skip or reduce if temps are soaring above 85°F.
- Warm-season grasses (like Bermuda or Zoysia) can handle a midsummer feeding, but use a light hand.
Too much nitrogen during extreme heat can stress your turf and make it more vulnerable to disease. Think of summer feedings as a gentle nudge, not a heavy meal—your lawn doesn’t want to overeat when it’s hot outside!
4. Apply Fungicides Before Disease Spreads
Hot, humid conditions bring on lawn diseases. If you have tall fescue or St. Augustine grass, you’re especially vulnerable.
When the heat dome settles in, your lawn is at risk for diseases like summer patch, brown spot, rust, and gray leaf spot. These issues can sneak up quickly and devastate stressed turf. Be proactive: apply a fungicide before you see widespread symptoms, especially if your area is known for summer lawn diseases. For an extra boost, use a product that also feeds your lawn to help it recover from heat stress, building deeper roots and stronger blades to withstand whatever summer throws at it.
5. Fortify Against Summer Insect Pests
Summer isn’t just hard on your grass—it brings out all sorts of lawn pests, too. As temps climb, insects like ants, grubs, and chinch bugs show up for their all-you-can-eat buffet.
To help your lawn shrug off these uninvited dinner guests:
- Choose a summer-safe lawn fertilizer that includes insect control. Many granular and liquid options double up—feeding your turf while keeping pests in check.
- If you’re in the northern states, pay close attention around late June into July. This is prime time for surface-feeders and grubs to make their appearance.
- Look for insect control products that tackle multiple pests and don’t harm your grass when applied as directed.
By nourishing your lawn and preventing pest damage in one swoop, you’ll help maintain that green, thick lawn all summer, even when the weather turns beastly.
5. Bag Clippings If Disease Is Present
If you suspect disease in your lawn, bag your clippings when you mow. This removes infected tissue and prevents further spread. Think of it like performing surgery on your lawn — effective and immediate.
Why Leaving Grass Clippings Can Be a Good Thing
If your lawn is disease-free, consider letting those grass clippings stay put after mowing. They act as a natural fertilizer, returning valuable nutrients — like nitrogen — right back into your soil. Think of it as giving your lawn a free snack, helping it stay green and healthy with less work from you.
Plus, clippings help retain moisture and shade the soil just a bit, both crucial during a heat dome. So, unless you see signs of disease, save yourself the bagging and let your mower do double duty: mowing and mulching in one go.
Keep That Mower Blade Sharp
A clean cut makes all the difference, especially in late summer when lawns are under serious stress. Sharpen your mower blade now to ensure each pass slices grass blades cleanly, rather than tearing and fraying them.
Why does this matter? Torn or jagged tips lose even more moisture in extreme heat, making your turf look brown and battered. A sharp blade helps every mow heal faster and keeps your lawn looking crisp, green, and healthy even as the mercury soars.
Regular sharpening (every 20-25 mowing hours, or at least a couple times each summer) is lawn care 101—right up there with fueling your mower and wearing your lucky Yard Mastery hat. If you’re not sure when you last sharpened your blade, take a look: If the tips look shredded post-mow, you’re overdue!
6. Don’t Underestimate Hand Watering
During extreme heat, some spots will show signs of stress. Golf courses often hand-water trouble areas, and you should too.
Hand watering isn’t just about moisture; it helps cool down the turf in high temperatures. Target stressed areas, especially in the afternoon heat. For even better results, apply Moisture Max heavily to these zones to give them a fighting chance.
In Summary: Stay Ready, Stay Green
This upcoming heat dome might be the first real stress test of the summer. Get ahead of the heat with smart watering, disease prevention, and spot treatments. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst — and don’t forget to enjoy those warm evenings out on the lawn!
I’ll see you in the lawn.
AL
