Summer Lawn Survival: How to Keep Grass Green During the Heat

dantepruden174
Jun 1
2 min read

Alberta Summers Are No Joke

Once July hits, your lawn faces real stress — heat, sun, wind, and often not enough rain. If you’re not adjusting your lawn care to match the weather, you could end up with a scorched, patchy yard by August.

Here’s how to protect your lawn through the summer without wasting water or overworking yourself.

1. Mow Smart — and Higher

Raise your mower deck to 3 inches or higher. Why? Taller grass shades the soil, holds moisture better, and grows deeper roots. It also blocks out weeds naturally.

Also:

Mow less frequently (every 7–10 days)
Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade
Keep blades sharp — dull ones tear, which leads to brown tips

2. Water Deeply, Not Daily

A common mistake: watering every day for 10 minutes.

Better: water 1–2 times per week for 30–45 minutes per zone. That gives your lawn time to absorb water deep into the roots.

Tips:

Water early in the morning (before 10 AM)
Use a tuna can to track how much water you're applying (aim for 1–1.5 inches/week)
Avoid evening watering to reduce disease risk

3. Skip the Nitrogen Bombs

High-nitrogen fertilizers push top growth — not root strength. In summer, that’s not what your lawn needs.

Instead:

Use a slow-release, low-nitrogen fertilizer (or skip feeding altogether until fall)
If you’re seeing brown patches, focus on watering and mowing, not feeding

4. Mulch Your Clippings

Leaving your clippings (as long as they’re short) helps shade the soil and return nutrients. Just make sure they don’t clump up or smother the grass.

If the lawn is dry or thinning out, mulching can help hold in moisture longer.

5. Let It Rest if Needed

If your lawn turns a bit brown in extreme heat — don’t panic. That’s dormancy, not death. Grass can survive several weeks in a dormant state and bounce back once cooler temps or rain returns.

Just avoid:

Heavy traffic on dormant grass
Mowing short during dormancy
Fertilizing during heatwaves

Final Thoughts

Summer lawn care is about working with the weather, not against it. Mow higher, water smarter, and focus on root health over looks. You’ll not only keep your lawn alive — you’ll set it up to thrive again in the fall.

Want Us to Handle It?

Our weekly lawn care includes proper mowing, smart watering guidance, and stress-free summer support. Let Acres Lawncare take the heat, so your lawn doesn’t have to.