How's your lawn holding up this summer? As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, your grass requires extra attention to thrive. Maintaining a healthy lawn in the summer months involves a combination of various tasks to help it stay vibrant and resilient, so we're bringing in the summer lawn care tips you need to succeed. From mowing techniques to fertilization schedules, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your lawn during the summer:

Feed and Fertilize, If Necessary

"Summer is peak season for fertilizing warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda grass and Zoysiagrass," shares Rodger May, TruGreen’s Director of Technical Operations. Pay attention to your grass varieties to know what's best. "Warm-season grasses need nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the late spring and summer as they grow more actively during the hottest time of the year. Avoid fertilizers containing nitrogen when these grass types are dormant or when they begin to enter dormancy in the late summer and fall. Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue need less fertilizer application in the summertime unless the lawns are irrigated daily."

Person mows the lawn with a push mower.
Regular care, watering, and nutrition make the lawn look great. Credit: cjp / Getty Images

Mow at a High Length, and Keep Blades Sharp

Dull mower blades can harm grass, and cause grass blade damage. "Homeowners should avoid mowing cool-season grasses on hot days, and plan to mow warm-season grasses more frequently to avoid mowing your lawn too short and potentially exposing the soil level," recommends May. Yes, it might be taller, but it'll be healthy. "Cool-season grasses will benefit from being mowed high in the summer. This practice helps to shade the ground and keeps the soil cooler."

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Man waters lawn with a garden hose.
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Water Deeply

Watering deeply during the hot weather helps to ensure that grass root systems grow strong and deep, making the lawn more drought-resistant and promoting a green lawn. Aim to provide at least one inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or irrigation. The best way to achieve this is to water your lawn less frequently but for longer periods, allowing the moisture to penetrate the soil. Early morning is the best, as it reduces evaporation and the summer heat helps it to dry before evening, preventing fungal growth.

Why does your lawn have brown spots even though you're watering?

It’s frustrating. You're have a regular watering schedule, but those brown patches won’t go away. That’s because the issue usually isn’t just about how often you water—it's about the conditions around your lawn and water absorption.

Here are some common reasons brown spots appear, even with steady watering:

  • Shallow watering: If you water too often but not deep watering, roots stay near the surface where it’s hottest and driest.
  • Compacted soil: Over time, soil gets packed down—especially in high-traffic areas—making it harder for water to reach the roots.
  • Scalping the lawn: Mowing too low can stress the grass and expose the soil to the sun, drying it out.
  • Fungal diseases: Warm, wet conditions can cause patches from issues like dollar spot or summer patch.
  • Pet urine: If one area keeps turning brown and smells… well, this might be the reason.

To troubleshoot, push a screwdriver into the soil after watering:

  • If it doesn’t go in easily, your soil is compacted.
  • If it sinks in easily but the lawn still looks dry, your roots might be too shallow.
Grass that needs fertilizer; brown spots killing lawn.
Brown spots? It could be one of many issues. Credit: mtreasure / Getty Images

Could your grass type be working against you?

You might be doing everything right—but for the wrong grass. Different types of grass have different needs, especially when it comes to heat, drought, and mowing.

Here’s how to know if your grass is suited for summer:

  • Cool-weather grasses (like Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue, Perennial Ryegrass):
    • Prefer spring and fall weather
    • Struggle in high heat and may go dormant in summer
    • Require more water to stay green
  • Warm-weather grasses (like Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustine):
    • Thrive in hot weather and full sun
    • More drought-tolerant grasses with deeper roots
    • Need to be mowed more often in summer due to rapid growth

If you're watering constantly and still seeing stress, your grass may not be built for your region’s summer climate. Not sure what you have? Try:

  • Searching photos of grass types online for comparison
  • Asking a local garden center or lawn care service
  • Checking any past grass seed or sod labels, if available

Matching your grass type to your climate makes every part of summer care—watering, mowing, feeding—work better. No more fighting against nature.