A Guide To Navigating the Summer Heat
Every season brings its challenges and the summer is no different. Fertilizers and products that may have worked in the spring, applied now could potentially lead to lawn burn. If your lawn is healthy and green, it may become a feasting ground for grubs and larvae. So how can you navigate through the struggles of summer lawncare to keep your lawn lush and green through the season? Don't worry, the experts at Rocky's Ace Hardware are always here to help!
What is Lawn Burn
Fast-releasing fertilizers work great when waking up your lawn from a distressing winter. In early spring, it's vital to provide your lawn with nutrients as a sort of wake up call. However, as the season's progress and the temperatures raise, the fast-acting nitrogen in early fertilizers can do more harm than good. If your lawn consumes too much nitrogen in a short time, it won't absorb any water. This eventually causes your grass to turn brown as if burned.
Helpful Tip: Don't use fertilizers designed for spring use or any weed and feed products when its 85° or higher.
Fertilize Without Lawn Burn
Fertilizing your lawn in summer is essential for keeping your grass lush and protecting your yard from the harshness of heat and draught. When choosing the right lawn food, look for bags with low or slow-releasing nitrogen. If you're following the Scott's 4-step program, learn when to apply Step 4 here.
Tip: Have you noticed that three-digit number on the front of fertilizer bags? It represents the three main fertilizer nutrients (nitrogen: N, phosphorus: P and potassium: K). Each nutrient is designated by a number — a percentage of the pounds per hundred pounds of fertilizer. Choose fertilizer high in nitrogen for fast-growing grass. For good flower and vegetable production, choose fertilizer high in phosphorus. Choose fertilizer high in potassium to toughen your plants against disease and winter′s cold.
-
CLICK TO SHOP
Milorganite All-Purpose Lawn Fertilizer
Milorganite non-burning slow-release nitrogen fertilizer feeds up to 10 weeks and helps to reduce mowing and conserve water. This fertilizer does not contain salts, making it good for use in drought conditions or areas with restraints. Your lawn, trees, shrubs and flowers will be well fed gradually without risk of burn.
Best applied in early July to feed and protect through the height of summer.
Customer Review:
"Milorganite is the best product for a thick green lawn. We spread it 4 times a year. Easter Memorial Day 4th of July & Thanksgiving. Sade product around flowers, vegetables and pets." -
CLICK TO SHOP
Scotts STEP-3 Lawn Fertilizer
Step-3 Fertilizer from Scotts is an excellent tool for keeping your lawn lush and green through the summer. Specially formulated with 2% iron, Step-3 is designed to help your grass fight heat and draught. When used as directed, this fertilizer is guaranteed not to burn your lawn. Can be applied to either wet or dry lawn.
Apply anytime in either June, July or August.
Customer Review
"I've been using Scott's 4-Step Program for several years and am pleased with the results. Neighbors have commented several times about how nice my lawn looks." -
CLICK TO SHOP
Scotts SummerGuard
As the name suggests, Scotts SummerGuard is specially made to tackle summer stresses on your lawn. This fertilizer is formulated to protect your grass from heat and draught in just one application without burning your lawn.
Apply anytime in either June, July or August.
Customer Review
"Applied this July 11th as recommended by my personal plan and a few weeks later my lawn was greener and thicker. A big difference!! Now it’s green and lush like my neighbors." -
CLICK TO SHOP
EcoScraps Slow-Release Fertilizer
EcoScraps utilizes organic matter and recycled nutrients to refresh your lawn. Apply the fertilizer to dry ground around your lawn, flowers, trees and shrubs.
Apply 4 times a year including early summer. For Floridians, apply 2 times a year.
Customer Review:
"LOVE THIS ORGANIC FERTILIZER. EASY TO APPLY, GRASS GREENED UP REALLY NICE. HIGHLY RECOMMEND."
Summer Lawncare Includes Grub Control
If you're doing everything right with your fertilizers, it might be a a good idea to check for grubs. One of the easiest ways to diagnose grub damage (besides seeing the pests for yourself), is to tug at the patches of grass where you see damage. If the grass comes up with no resistance, grubs have more than likely been feasting on the roots.
Make it part of your yearly summer lawncare to apply grub control alongside your 4-Step or fertilizing schedule. Just one application of grub killer can effectively kill those little pests all season long. If you need some recommendations for grub killers, here are a few of our favorites:
-
Scotts GrubEx Grub and Insect Control
Use in spring or summer to kill grubs when they're young. One application of Scotts GrubEx will effectively kill grubs, armyworms and even Japanese beetles for up to 4 months!
Customer Review:
"I used this last year and didn't have any grub issues. Thankful that there's a product out there that can control these little beasts. I ordered two bags already and I'm prepared for this year!"
CLICK TO SHOP
-
Triazicide Insect Killer
Apply Triazicide any time between late July and early October. Applied once, these granules will rid your lawn of more than 100 insect types all season long. Just make sure to water the ground directly after applying and then keep children and pets off lawn until dry.
Customer Review:
"I have used this for a few years now. It seems to be working well. I don't quit a product unless it quits doing what I expect of it!! I Like It!!"
CLICK TO SHOP
-
Scotts Turf Builder SummerGuard
That's right! Not only does Scotts SummerGuard protect your lawn from heat and draught, it also is designed to kill unwanted insects. Use this fertilizer to kill pests such as ants, armyworms, chinch bugs, crickets, fleas, grasshoppers, spiders, and ticks.
Customer Review:
"With climate change effects, our summers are much warmer for many days at a time. SummerGuard helps the lawn to weather these temperatures. The pest control seemed to work better than anything we tried in the past."
CLICK TO SHOP
Helpful Tips
Save your lawn by just adjusting your mowing techniques. Make sure to follow these tips and tricks for the best results.
- Mow early or late and avoid cutting your grass during the height of the heat
- Cut long, around 3 inches - the longer the blade, the stronger the root
- Leave behind grass clippings to help your lawn retain moisture.
- Space out when you mow your lawn. Mowing once a week can actually stress your lawn and provide weaker results
- Once your grass grows dormant, don't mow and DON'T FEED
Well that's about it for our helpful tips on Summer Lawncare. Check back for more helpful tips, articles and how-tos from your favorite local hardware store!