Tips for Keeping a Healthy Lawn During a Heatwave - Plant Care Guide

When the summer heat rises and a heatwave strikes, lawns can quickly become stressed, dry, and damaged. Keeping your grass healthy in these extreme conditions requires some extra care and adjustments to your regular routine. By making a few simple changes to how you water, mow, and protect your lawn, you can help it withstand high temperatures and keep it looking green. Here’s a guide with effective tips to help your lawn stay strong and vibrant during a heatwave.

1. Water Deeply and Infrequently

Watering deeply but less often is key to helping your grass develop deep roots, which makes it more resilient to heat and drought.

• Optimal Timing: Water your lawn early in the morning, around sunrise. This allows water to penetrate the soil before the sun’s heat can evaporate it.
• Deep Soak: Aim for a soaking of about 1 to 1.5 inches per week, divided into two or three sessions. This encourages roots to grow deeper.

Using a lawn sprinkler with adjustable settings helps you control the watering schedule and get consistent moisture across your lawn.

2. Use Mulching Blades to Recycle Grass Clippings

Leaving grass clippings on the lawn is a great way to add moisture and nutrients back to the soil during hot weather.

• Mulching Mower: A mulching mower cuts grass clippings into smaller pieces, allowing them to decompose quickly and act as a natural fertilizer.
• Benefits: Mulched clippings provide shade for the soil and help keep moisture in, reducing the need for additional water.

Using a mulching mower ensures grass clippings are finely chopped, helping them break down quickly and nourish the lawn.

3. Raise Your Mowing Height

Mowing too short during a heatwave can leave your lawn vulnerable to heat stress. Setting your mower at a higher level allows grass to develop deeper roots and better tolerate high temperatures.

• Recommended Height: Keep the grass around 3-4 inches tall during a heatwave. Taller grass shades the soil, conserving moisture.
• Avoid Cutting Too Much: Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow to prevent stress on the grass.

Using a lawn mower with adjustable height makes it easy to maintain the right height and reduce stress on your lawn during hot spells.

4. Reduce Foot Traffic

During a heatwave, avoid heavy foot traffic on your lawn. Grass under stress from high temperatures can be more vulnerable to damage and compaction.

• Use Pathways: Set up stepping stones or pathways in high-traffic areas to keep foot pressure off the grass.
• Redirect Activities: If possible, move outdoor gatherings or play areas to a shaded part of the yard or patio.

Using garden stepping stones can help redirect foot traffic and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the lawn.

5. Apply a Light Layer of Compost or Topdressing

Adding a thin layer of compost or topdressing to your lawn can help improve soil structure, allowing roots to access water more effectively.

• Application: Spread ¼ inch of compost across the lawn and lightly rake it into the soil.
• Benefits: Compost increases soil moisture retention and adds nutrients that strengthen the grass.

Using organic compost as a topdressing keeps the soil healthy, helping your lawn manage heat better.

6. Water Deeply in Stressed Areas

Some areas of the lawn, like spots near concrete or where grass grows densely, may show signs of stress sooner. Focus on giving these areas extra care during a heatwave.

• Hand Watering: Use a garden hose for deep watering on hot spots or dry patches that need more attention.
• Consistent Moisture: Keep these spots well-watered but avoid creating soggy soil, as too much moisture can lead to fungal growth.

Using a garden hose with adjustable nozzle makes it easy to target specific areas, providing extra moisture where it’s needed most.

7. Avoid Fertilizing During Extreme Heat

Fertilizers can stress the lawn during a heatwave, as they encourage growth that demands more water and nutrients. Delaying fertilization can help grass focus on surviving rather than growing.

• Timing: Wait until temperatures drop to a manageable level before applying fertilizer.
• Slow-Release Fertilizers: If you must fertilize, use a slow-release product that provides nutrients gradually.

A slow-release lawn fertilizer can be applied safely once the heat subsides, supporting lawn health without overloading it.

8. Check for Signs of Heat Stress

Recognizing the early signs of heat stress can help you take action before significant damage occurs. Some common indicators include grass blades that turn a bluish-gray color or don’t bounce back after walking on them.

• Wilting and Color Changes: Blue or gray patches indicate dehydration. Start watering these spots immediately.
• Footprint Test: Walk across the lawn. If your footprints remain visible, your lawn may need water.

Using a lawn moisture meter helps you detect dry spots early, allowing you to water selectively and prevent widespread stress.

9. Choose Drought-Resistant Grass Varieties

For areas prone to heatwaves, planting drought-resistant grasses can make lawn care much easier. These varieties are naturally adapted to withstand high temperatures and low water conditions.

• Warm-Season Grasses: Bermuda, zoysia, and buffalo grass are resilient choices for hot climates.
• Cool-Season Grass Options: Fine fescue and tall fescue perform better in hot weather than other cool-season varieties.

Using a drought-resistant grass seed can help you establish a lawn that’s better equipped to handle heat.

10. Mulch Lawn Borders and Garden Edges

Adding mulch to garden beds and lawn edges helps keep soil temperatures down and conserves moisture, benefiting both your plants and your lawn.

• Application: Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around trees, flower beds, and along lawn borders.
• Benefits: Mulch retains moisture and reduces evaporation, keeping grass along edges from drying out as quickly.

Using organic mulch provides a protective layer, helping soil stay cooler and reducing water loss around the lawn.

11. Adjust Sprinklers for Optimal Coverage

In hot weather, even minor adjustments to sprinklers can make a significant difference in water distribution. Adjusting your sprinklers ensures the lawn receives even watering, preventing some areas from drying out.

• Check Coverage: Inspect your sprinkler system to make sure all areas of the lawn receive water evenly.
• Repair Leaks: Leaks can waste water and reduce pressure. Repair or replace damaged parts to maintain full sprinkler function.

Using a sprinkler repair kit helps you fix minor issues quickly, ensuring consistent and efficient watering.

12. Aerate for Better Root Access

Aeration improves water and nutrient penetration, which is especially important during heatwaves when roots struggle to access what they need from the soil.

• Timing: Aerate in early spring or late summer to prepare the lawn for summer stresses.
• Core Aeration: Use a core aerator to remove soil plugs, creating channels for air and water to reach deep roots.

Using a manual core aerator allows you to aerate small lawns easily, helping grass roots grow deeper and more resilient.

13. Protect Young Grass and Seedlings

If you’ve recently overseeded or planted new grass, these young plants can be especially vulnerable during a heatwave. Shielding them from direct sun and keeping soil consistently moist is essential.

• Shading Cloth: Use light shading cloth over young grass in the hottest parts of the day.
• Frequent Watering: Water new grass daily to keep it hydrated while it establishes roots.

Using a garden shade cloth can provide temporary relief, reducing sun exposure for new plants and helping them thrive.

14. Watch for and Control Pests

Heat-stressed lawns are more susceptible to pests like grubs and chinch bugs, which can worsen the damage. Regular monitoring and quick treatment can prevent infestations from spreading.

• Signs of Pests: Look for yellowing patches, wilting, or dry spots that persist despite watering.
• Treatment: Use organic pest controls or beneficial nematodes to eliminate lawn pests without damaging the grass.

Using beneficial nematodes can help control pests naturally, providing a safer option during heatwaves when grass is already stressed.

15. Refrain from Overseeding or Resodding

Overseeding or laying new sod during a heatwave can put extra stress on your lawn. New grass requires frequent watering and doesn’t yet have deep roots, making it difficult to establish in hot weather.

• Wait for Cooler Temperatures: Save overseeding and resodding projects for cooler months to improve the chances of successful establishment.
• Reduce Watering Demands: By holding off on new plantings, you can focus on maintaining existing grass during heatwaves.

Using a lawn care guide can help you plan for the right times to undertake these projects, ensuring healthy growth.

16. Add Light Shade to Vulnerable Areas

In the most intense heat, providing temporary shade to sensitive areas can help protect the lawn. Shade prevents evaporation and keeps soil temperature lower, preserving moisture.

• Portable Shade Structures: Use umbrellas or shade sails in areas prone to stress, such as spots near concrete or along borders.
• Garden Cloth: Shade cloth can also be used for short-term relief, especially in areas where sun exposure is extreme.

Using a portable shade sail offers an easy solution for temporary shading, reducing heat on vulnerable lawn sections.

17. Remove Lawn Debris Regularly

Debris like leaves and sticks can block sunlight and create heat traps on the lawn. Clearing debris helps maintain airflow and reduces the potential for overheating and fungal growth.

• Rake Frequently: Use a rake to remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris that may collect in the yard.
• Prevent Fungus: Regular cleanup prevents fungal diseases that can thrive in hot, damp conditions.

Using a lawn rake makes it easy to keep your lawn clear and ventilated, especially during hot weather.

18. Train Your Lawn for Drought Tolerance

Gradually training your lawn for drought tolerance can make it more resilient during heatwaves. Reducing the frequency of watering over time encourages the grass to develop deeper roots.

• Gradual Reduction: Water less frequently, but still deeply, allowing grass to adjust slowly.
• Monitor Response: Watch for signs of stress, and avoid letting the lawn dry out completely.

Using a soil moisture tester helps you gauge when your lawn needs water, allowing you to adjust watering schedules as necessary.

19. Apply a Light Foliar Spray

A light mist of water, or foliar spray, on grass blades can help cool the lawn temporarily. This practice is especially useful for lawns experiencing extreme heat.

• Timing: Apply foliar spray in the early afternoon when temperatures are at their peak.
• Fine Mist: Use a spray bottle with a fine mist setting to avoid soaking the lawn.

Using a spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle allows you to create a light mist, providing quick relief to the grass without overwatering.

20. Switch to a Reduced Maintenance Routine

During extreme heat, less is more when it comes to lawn care. Reducing maintenance activities can minimize stress on the lawn and prevent further damage.

• Limit Fertilizer and Pesticides: Hold off on applying chemicals that might further stress the grass.
• Skip Mowing if Possible: Avoid mowing during the peak of a heatwave, allowing the grass to retain moisture and shade the soil.

Using a lawn care planner can help track when to resume regular maintenance routines as temperatures begin to cool.