Give your grass the TLC it needs during the dog days of summer
Has your lawn lost some of its spring luster? Are brown patches starting to appear where lush green once dominated? Don’t worry folks, you’ve hit the late summer lawn slump, and you’re not alone! As we move through these dog days of summer, your lawn needs special attention. At Arbor-Nomics, we know exactly what your grass needs right now, and I’m here to walk you through essential late summer lawn care practices that will keep your turf happy until fall arrives.
Understanding Late Summer Lawn Stress
Late summer brings a perfect storm of lawn stressors: intense heat, drought conditions, increased foot traffic, peak pest pressure, depleted soil nutrients, and compacted soil from months of use.
Your grass isn’t just being finicky, it’s genuinely struggling! But with the right late summer lawn treatment, you can turn things around and set the stage for a healthy fall recovery.
Perfect Your Watering Strategy
In the late summer, proper irrigation becomes critical. Your lawn needs about 1-1.5 inches of water per week, but how you deliver that water matters as much as how much you provide.
Water deeply but infrequently, aiming for 2-3 times per week rather than daily light sprinklings. Early morning (between 5-9 AM) is ideal as it minimizes evaporation while giving grass blades time to dry, reducing fungal disease risk. Remember that overwatering can be just as harmful as underwatering. If your soil feels moist two inches down, you can wait another day before watering again.
Apply Late Summer Lawn Fertilizer Strategically
Late summer fertilization requires a different approach than spring feeding. This is when your lawn treatment services should focus on the right balance of nutrients.
What you’re looking for now is a fertilizer with lower nitrogen content and higher potassium levels to improve drought and heat tolerance. Slow-release formulations won’t burn stressed grass, and micronutrients like iron can enhance green color without pushing excessive growth.
Apply your late summer lawn fertilizer in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler, and always water it in thoroughly. If you’re unsure about the right formulation for your specific grass type, our experts at Arbor-Nomics can provide a customized recommendation based on your lawn’s unique needs.
Mow Smart, Not Short
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make during late summer lawn care is cutting their grass too short. Taller grass develops deeper root systems, shades the soil to reduce evaporation and weed germination, and helps avoid scalping on uneven terrain.
For most cool-season grasses, aim for a height of 3-4 inches during late summer. Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia can be maintained at 1.5-2.5 inches. Always follow the “one-third rule”—never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing.
And don’t forget to keep those mower blades sharp! Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly, creating entry points for disease and increasing water loss.
Tackle Weeds Before They Take Over
Late summer is when many weeds reach maturity and begin producing seeds for next year’s invasion. Taking action now can save you countless hours of weed control next season.
After a good rain when the soil is moist, hand-pulling isolated weeds is effective for smaller problem areas. For broader control, consider spot-treating broadleaf weeds with selective herbicides during cooler parts of the day. Just be cautious with herbicides during extreme heat, as they can damage stressed turf.
If you’re concerned about using the right products safely, our professional treatment services include targeted weed control as part of our complete late summer lawn treatment program.
Aerate Compacted Soil
After months of summer activities, your soil has likely become compacted, making it difficult for water, nutrients, and oxygen to reach grass roots. Core aeration creates channels in the soil that reduce compaction, improve absorption, enhance root development, decrease thatch buildup, and create ideal conditions for overseeding.
Early fall is the perfect time for aeration in most regions, but planning should begin in late summer. For optimal results, professional aeration equipment operated by experienced technicians will provide more consistent and effective results than rental equipment.
Address Insect Issues
Late summer is prime time for lawn-damaging insects like chinch bugs, sod webworms, and grubs. These pests can cause significant damage, often mistaken for drought stress. Watch for irregular brown patches that don’t respond to watering, grass blades that pull up easily, or birds feeding intensely in specific lawn areas.
If you suspect insect damage, prompt treatment is essential. Our lawn treatment services include inspections and targeted pest control solutions that address specific insects affecting your lawn as part of our comprehensive late summer lawn care.
Prepare for Fall Renovation
Late summer is the perfect time to plan for fall lawn renovation. Taking measurements, ordering supplies, and scheduling services now ensures you’ll be ready when optimal fall planting conditions arrive.
Test your soil to determine amendment needs and research appropriate seed varieties for your region. Don’t wait until the last minute to schedule professional services—the fall rush comes quickly!
Fall is truly the ideal season for major lawn improvements, and getting an estimate for professional services now will put you ahead of the rush.
When to Call in the Professionals
While many late summer lawn care tasks can be handled by dedicated homeowners, complex irrigation system adjustments, proper diagnosis of disease or pest problems, application of controlled-use pesticides, core aeration, and custom fertilization programs based on soil testing are all areas where professional help makes a significant difference.
At Arbor-Nomics, our certified technicians bring years of experience and specialized equipment to every lawn we treat. Our customized service plans are designed to address the specific needs of lawns in our service area throughout every season, including crucial late summer lawn treatments.
Your Late Summer Lawn Care Timeline
Don’t try to tackle everything at once! Start immediately by adjusting your irrigation and mowing practices. Within a week or two, apply appropriate late summer lawn fertilizer and spot-treat any weeds. In the following weeks, address any insect problems, then schedule aeration and plan your fall renovation activities. By spreading these tasks out, you’ll make the process more manageable while giving your lawn time to respond to each treatment.
The Payoff: A Healthier Fall Lawn
Investing time in proper late summer lawn care doesn’t just save your grass from current stress, it sets the stage for a spectacular fall recovery and stronger growth next spring. A little extra attention now means less work and better results later.
Ready to give your lawn the professional care it deserves? Request an estimate from our team at Arbor-Nomics today. Our specialized late summer lawn treatments are designed to keep your lawn looking its best through every season.
Remember, your lawn is a living ecosystem that responds dramatically to proper care. With these late summer lawn care strategies, you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood by fall!About Arbor-Nomics: We’ve been providing expert lawn care services to homeowners since 1980. Our certified technicians deliver customized treatment plans that keep your lawn healthy and beautiful year-round. Visit our website to learn more about our services and commitment to excellence.