By Blake Jackson
As Wisconsin enters the peak of summer and approaches the summer solstice, lawn care experts recommend making seasonal adjustments to help turfgrass withstand heat and changing moisture conditions. While summer weather patterns remain uncertain, proper maintenance can improve lawn health and resilience.
Bruce Spangenberg, a Horticulture Outreach Specialist with the UW-Madison Division of Extension, advises homeowners to raise their mowing height during the warmer months.
Cool-season grasses naturally slow their growth in hot, dry weather, and mowing at a height of at least three inches—or slightly higher—can encourage deeper root systems and improve drought tolerance by helping the soil retain moisture.
Watering practices should also be planned carefully. Homeowners should either irrigate consistently to maintain green lawns or allow grass to enter dormancy during extended dry periods.
Once a lawn has turned brown from drought stress, frequent watering is not recommended, as forcing new growth during high temperatures can weaken the grass. If drought persists, light watering every couple of weeks can help keep the grass crowns alive.
For lawns that are irrigated, deep and infrequent watering is preferred over frequent shallow applications. Most lawns require about one inch of water each week from rainfall or irrigation combined.
Signs that grass needs moisture include wilting, a darker green color, and footprints that remain visible after walking across the lawn. Early morning watering is recommended to reduce evaporation and lower the risk of disease.
Summer is generally not the best time for fertilizing or applying herbicides for broadleaf weed control. Experts recommend waiting until around Labor Day, when grass growth resumes and weeds respond better to treatment.
Homeowners planning lawn renovation projects should begin preparations in mid-August, with late August through early September offering the best conditions for successful seeding and establishment.
Photo Credit: science-photo-library-igor-stevanovic
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Weather