Summer Lawn Care Tips

The dog days are a signal that it’s time for a little turf TLC to keep your lawn looking green and gorgeous. Here’s what you need to do to care for your lawn this summer.

Feed. Feeding in the early summer helps strengthen the lawn so it can better withstand heat and drought conditions that commonly occur during the summer. Scotts® Turf Builder® releases its nutrients slowly over time, making it the go-to fertilizer for all grass types.

In the North, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Lawn Food. If you live in the South, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Southern Lawn Food.

Treat for grubs. If you had a grub problem last year or know that a neighbor is fighting grubs, this is your last chance to fight them this season by applying Scotts® GrubEx®. These pests munch their way through grass roots, resulting in dead patches in late summer.

Mow high. Taller blades help grass develop deeper roots that are better at seeking out water underground. Tall grass also helps to shade soil and cool it, which means you’ll need to water less. Continue to mow high all summer long.

Let clippings lie. When you mow, leave the grass clippings. They will break down and help to feed your lawn.

Watch for weeds. Spot-treat any that appear using Scotts® Spot Weed Control For Lawns, which kills weeds without harming grass.

Water deeply. Use a screwdriver or small trowel to check how deeply water is penetrating the soil as you water. The goal is to water long enough to reach a depth of 4 to 6 inches.

Feed. Keep feeding your lawn every six to eight weeks. For a lush lawn with deep green hue, try Scotts® Green Max™ Lawn Food. If you're in the south or southwest, try Scotts® Turf Builder® Summer Lawn Food, a lawn food plus water maximizer that helps drive water into dry soils and feeds to build strong, deep roots, so even during the heat of summer, you can have a green lawn. If your lawn is under attack from bugs like ants or ticks, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Summerguard® Lawn Food with Insect Control, which both kills and protects against listed insect pests.

You need to temporarily stop feeding, however, if grass goes dormant during summer heat and drought. Wait until rains renew growth before feeding again.

Sharpen your mower blade. A dull blade tears grass, creating a ragged edge that loses moisture more readily than a clean cut.

Water in the morning. As summer heat builds, your lawn will lose less water to evaporation if you time waterings for between 6 and 10 a.m.

Work on weeds. Continue to spot-spray weeds using Scotts® Spot Weed Control For Lawns.