As the temperatures rise and the mild weather of spring fades into a memory, you might start to notice changes in your lawn. The intense heat and lack of rain during the summer months can leave your grass struggling, but fortunately, we have some tips to keep your lawn as fresh and green as possible.

In addition to regular watering, it is important to have the right fertilizer on hand. Read more to learn about the best fertilizer for grass in summer.


What Type of Grass Do I have on My Lawn?

The first thing you’ll want to determine is the kind of grass you have growing in your lawn. Depending on what is native to your area (or what has sprung up in your yard), the method of lawn care in the summer will vary.

Cold-season grasses (such as fescue, bluegrass, and rye) thrive in mild temperatures – roughly in the 60’s F. These types of grasses tend to struggle more during hot summers, becoming especially prone to fading as they are unable to recover from damage. They should also be mowed longer in the summer, about 3-4 inches.

Warm-season grasses (including Zoysia, St. Augustine, Centipede, and Bermuda) prefer slightly higher temperatures in the 70’s F. Warm-weather varieties are more resilient against harsh summer conditions, but even these will show signs of damage if the temps soar above the 80’s F. These can be mowed shorter than cold-weather varieties, around 2-3 inches.


What Should You Do For Your Lawn in the Summer?

Your lawn care strategy is different in the summer because it is focused on maintaining a healthy lawn, as opposed to laying a good foundation ahead of time.

As long as your grass is still green and alive, it needs regular water and fertilizer.

The roots need extra support during hot weather, so be sure to keep your grass hydrated and fed. And the more you water, the more fertilizer your lawn will need, in order to support continued growth.

A good fertilizing schedule in the summer is about 6-8 weeks apart. If you have a sprinkler system, you can aim for 6 weeks; without a sprinkler system, less frequent fertilizing is better. Over-applying fertilizer in the summer months can burn your lawn, causing lasting damage.

However, if you are unable to water and feed your lawn regularly in the summer, it is best to let it go dormant – brown and dry – until fall comes, when it should perk right up. Never fertilize or over-water a dormant lawn in the hopes of bringing it back to life – wait until it greens up in the fall.


Best Lawn Fertilizer for Summer

We recommend using Holganix to fertilize grass in the summer.

It is 100% organic and maximizes plant growth without introducing toxins into the environment. In addition, organic fertilizer is naturally slow-release, so it is much less likely to burn your lawn than a chemical fertilizer. As explained above, this is especially important during the summer months when grass is already struggling with heat and lack of rain.

Contact Us

Have any questions about the best lawn fertilizer for grass in summer? Need a consultation?

Give us a call at Hambleton Lawn & Landscape.

Our team is here to help with all your landscaping and lawn care needs!