How to Maintain a Healthy Lawn during Summer

Summer season can be brutal. With temperatures averaging 91°F in July and August, maintaining a healthy, green lawn can be a challenge in the scorching summer months. With the right care, you can keep your Cypress lawn looking its best all season long.

Choose the Right Grass

There are many different types of grass, and some are better suited to Houston summer heat than others. Hot-season grasses are best for the Cypress area, and they thrive in the heat.

Drought tolerant grasses are ideal, including:

• Bermuda grass
• Augustine grass
• Zoysia grass
• Buffalo grass
• Bahia grass

Planting the right type of grass will help ensure that your lawn stays happy, healthy and green all summer long.

If you’re not sure which type to choose, ask a neighbor or friend with a healthy lawn which type of grass they planted.

Water Smartly

A healthy, green lawn doesn’t necessarily need constant watering. It’s more about how you water your lawn. Aim to water deeply and less often to keep your lawn happy.

If you water too often, your grass will never have the need to send its roots down below the surface in search of water. Grass that is watered too frequently will have shallow roots that will have a harder time dealing with the summer heat and droughts.

To encourage deep and healthy roots, water deeply once a week. This will improve your lawn’s hardiness, making it easier to stand up to the heat and drought. One of the best ways to ensure a deep watering is to install a sprinkler system. Most sprinkler systems can be programmed to water at certain times of the day. Morning is the ideal time for watering because temperatures are still cool and the water won’t evaporate before it has a chance to seep into the roots.

Lawns and gardens can also benefit from a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation slowly delivers water to your lawn and garden to keep moisture at the ideal level.  

Mow High

Mowing plays an important role in healthy lawn care, but improper mowing can damage or even kill a lawn. If your grass is cut too short, it can cause serious damage.

To keep your lawn healthy in the summer, aim to mow high – about 3” to 3-1/2.” Never cut more than a third of your lawn’s height at any given time. It’s better to cut a little bit at a time than to go overboard and expose your lawn’s delicate root system to the summer heat.

Feed Your Lawn

A healthy lawn is a nourished lawn. Like any other plant, grass needs regular feeding to stay green, lush and healthy. As a general rule of thumb, you want to fertilize, or feed, your lawn every six to eight weeks.

To keep your lawn from growing too quickly, choose a fertilizer with lower nitrogen levels.

Proper lawn care is essential, especially in the heat of summer. Proper watering, fertilization and the right mowing techniques can help keep your Cypress lawn looking healthy and green all summer long.