Summer might seem like the season when your lawn should be thriving—but it’s actually when it’s under the most stress. Between the longer days, rising temperatures, and all the backyard activity that comes with the sunny season, even the healthiest lawns can start to struggle. And surprisingly, some of the lawn care habits we usually swear by can actually do more harm than good during the summer months.
“Summer is a tricky time for lawn care because the high temperatures and increased daylight are putting it under significant stress,” says Angelika Zaber, a lawn care specialist and gardening expert at Online Turf. “At the same time, increased traffic can compact the soil, making it harder for air and water to reach the roots.” This can cause your grass to turn brown, thin out, or become susceptible to pests and disease. The good news is that many of these issues are preventable with just a few simple tweaks to your lawn care routine. Ahead, we’re breaking down five of the most common summer lawn care mistakes—and what to do instead to keep your grass looking lush, green, and healthy all season long.
1. Not Using the One-Third Rule
It might be tempting to give your lawn a major trim to keep it looking neat for longer, but cutting too much at once can actually do more harm than good—especially in the heat. Grass needs that extra length to keep growing properly, and removing too much at once can shock the plant.
“If you take more than 1/3 off your grass height, you are stressing the already stressed grass further,” Zaber says. “This can cause shock, causing it to turn brown and weak.” Instead, try to mow more frequently, usually about once or twice a week, and take off smaller amounts each time.
2. Bagging Grass Clippings Instead of Leaving Them
Cleaning up clippings after you mow your lawn might make it look tidier, but in the summer, it's better to let them lie. As long as your lawn is healthy, leaving those clippings behind can actually help support stronger, greener growth for your lawn.
“In summer, grass clippings act as natural mulch, cooling the soil and reducing water evaporation,” Zaber says. “They are also high in nitrogen and contain some potassium and phosphorus, making them a great natural fertilizer.”
3. Watering Too Often (and Too Lightly)
When temperatures rise, it’s easy to assume your lawn needs constant watering—but shallow, frequent watering can actually weaken your grass.
“Another mistake is watering the lawn too frequently and too lightly,” Zaber explains. “Instead, water it deeply and infrequently. This encourages the turf to develop deeper roots, helping it handle drought better.”
4. Watering at the Wrong Time of Day
When it comes to watering your lawn, timing is just as important as technique. If you water your lawn during the hottest part of the day, the water will evaporate before it even reaches the soil, which means your lawn won't get the deep hydration it needs to beat the heat.
“Instead, make sure to water first thing in the morning,” says Zaber. "At that point, the temperatures are cooler and the sunlight isn’t as intense, allowing your lawn to get the moisture it needs."
5. Keeping Your Lawn Too Short
Shorter isn’t always better when it comes to grass. Short grass has less surface area to absorb sunlight and fewer resources to sustain itself, which in turn makes your lawn more vulnerable to heat and drought. Letting your lawn grow just a bit taller during the summer can go a long way in keeping it greener and more resilient.
“Leave your grass blades slightly longer than usual, as it gives the plant more leaf area, helping it to make food more easily through photosynthesis,” says Zaber. “Longer grass blades also shade the soil, keeping it cooler and reducing water evaporation.”
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
