September 2nd

By Mutt Mulligan

late summer lawn care tips

Labor Day signals the unofficial end to summer. But, depending on where you live, it’s likely your seasonal yard chores are far from finished. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for late summer lawn care.

Late summer lawn care tips

1. Your lawn goes through seasonal cycles, so it’s important to keep in mind that your hard work now prepares your lawn for the seasons to come.

2. Examine your lawn closely, looking for brown patches and thinning or damaged blades, which could be caused by drought or pests. To determine if bugs or drought are to blame, pull out a clump of grass and check the roots. If they look damaged bugs are the likely culprit, but if the roots are intact that’s probably a drought issue.

3. Many late summer pests like chinch bugs, mole crickets, and ants are common in very hot climates. Choose a treatment option (check with your local nursery if unsure), and address the issue when you first notice it to keep pests from ruining your lawn for the upcoming season.

4. Cooler temperatures give you a chance to replant grass or plants, as necessary. Typically, the perfect temperature to replant grass is between 50-65 degrees. Check out TurfMutt’s interactive Ecosystems Map to determine which plants and grasses are native to and will thrive in your climate.

What other end-of-summer lawncare chores are on your to-do list? Share here, or on the TurfMutt Facebook page.