Summer: heat, drought and mowing high

Summer is stressful for cool-season grass and peak growing time for warm-season grass. The goals are different, but deep watering and sharp, high mowing help both.

Cool-season lawns

• Raise the mowing height
• Water deeply in the early morning, or let the lawn go dormant
• Avoid fertilizer and weed killers in heat waves
• Limit traffic on stressed or dormant grass

Warm-season lawns

• Mow regularly; growth is fastest now
• Feed as your soil test and local guidance suggest
• Watch for chinch bugs in sunny, dry patches of St. Augustine

Late summer

Check for grubs, and plan fall seeding and aeration for cool-season lawns.

General lawn care information. Grass, soil and climate vary; your cooperative extension office can give local advice. Reliable Service Crew isn't paid by any brand or lawn company.