During the hottest summer months, it’s important to maintain a consistent summer lawn care schedule. Giving your grass the proper care during these scorching temperatures will help ensure a beautifully healthy lawn until your yard goes dormant for the winter.

This summer lawn care guide is designed with upper Midwest yards in mind. If you live further south or near the coast, your lawn care needs might differ. However, for those who live in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, or other surrounding states, these tips can give you the best looking lawn on your block.

 Water deeply in the morning

When temperatures soar and the sun is relentlessly bright, your grass could burn if it doesn’t have enough moisture. It’s recommended to water early in the morning to minimize evaporation, and to water heavily. You should aim to completely soak your entire lawn in about an inch of water every week.

To make sure your grass is getting the water it needs, use a screwdriver or small trowel to see how deeply water is soaking into the soil. If the soil is dry within the first 2 to 3 inches, you need to water more heavily. The sweet spot is between 4 to 6 inches to encourage deep root growth and stronger, more resilient grass. 

Keep your mower blade sharp

A dull mower blade can actually tear and damage grass instead of neatly slicing it with a clean cut. Since a torn, ragged edge can cause grass to lose moisture more quickly, it’s crucial to keep your mower blade sharp. This alone can make the difference between a healthy green lawn and a dry, brown lawn.

Get rid of weeds

Throughout the summer months, keep an eye out for any weeds. Spot-treat any problem areas by removing them by hand or using a specialized weed killer. Although a few weeds here and there may not seem like an issue at first, they can quickly spread to your entire yard if they’re given enough time to produce and spread their seeds. Get rid of them as soon as possible to avoid having your beautiful lawn transformed into a weed-infested yard!

If you’re not comfortable applying weed killer yourself or aren’t sure how to start resolving a recurring weed problem, All American Turf Beauty can help! We offer a variety of lawn care programs that are specifically tailored to common Iowa lawn concerns. Learn more about our services or send us a message here!

Start overseeding in August

As the summer starts to wind down, you may start to notice patches of dead grass in your lawn. Luckily, mid-August to early September is the best time to put down new grass seed so you can have a fresh, revitalized lawn in the spring! 

To overseed any patchy areas, lightly work the grass seeds into the soil, following the instructions on the package to know exactly how much to apply. Once you’ve sufficiently covered the area, loosely rake over the area and cover it with a light layer of mulch or compost. As the seeds begin to sprout, make sure to water them regularly. Unlike fully grown grass, small seedlings should always be moisturized to foster healthy growth.

Aerate your lawn

In the Midwest, early September is a good time to aerate your lawn. Aeration is the process of removing small plugs of soil throughout an area to prevent thatch, improve water saturation, and make it easier for nutrients to move throughout the soil. Aeration is typically performed with a core aerator, which you can rent from most hardware stores, or you can call in a professional lawn care expert to aerate your yard for you. 

If you decide to DIY, make sure to aerate when the soil is moist. A properly aerated yard should have 20 to 40 holes per square foot, which may require several passes with a core aerator. Soil cores should be about 3 inches long and ¾ inch in diameter for best results. Once there are enough holes, you can use a rake to break up the soil cores.

Fertilize in late summer

In early September, cool season grasses may be low on essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. A little fertilizer can provide these much-needed nutrients for your grass before it goes dormant for the winter months. If you fertilize properly in the late summer or early fall, you can increase your odds of having a lush, green lawn when springtime rolls around again.

Consider hiring a pro

Dealing with pests, weeds, or irrigation issues? A professional lawn care specialist may be able to offer you the solution you’ve been looking for. At All American Turf Beauty, our lawn care experts can give your lawn the customized treatment it needs to become lush, green, and healthy. 

We’re currently offering first-time customers an introductory lawn application for just $29.99. If you love the results, we have ongoing services suitable for every budget and schedule. Enjoy the rest of your summer instead of spending hours on lawn care and maintenance by contacting All American Turf Beauty today!