The Truth About Heat-Stressed Lawns (And What You Can Do)

When the summer heat rolls in, your lawn takes a hit. Between the blazing sun, dry spells, and hot nights, even a healthy yard can start to look a little rough this time of year. If your

grass isn’t looking its best lately, you’re not alone, it’s totally normal. But here’s what’s actually happening and how you can help your lawn hang in there.

☀️ Why Lawns Struggle in the Heat

1. It slows way down. Grass naturally grows slower in the heat, especially cool-season types like fescue or Kentucky bluegrass. In some cases, it even goes dormant to protect itself, so it might turn brown even if nothing’s “wrong.”

2. The soil dries out fast. Hot sun + dry weather = thirsty grass. If your lawn isn’t getting enough water, it’ll start to wilt, thin out, or get crispy.

3. The roots get stressed. When the soil is hot and dry, roots don’t grow like they should. Weak roots = weak lawn.

4. Fungus shows up. Hot, humid weather is the perfect setup for lawn diseases like brown patch or dollar spot. And if your lawn’s already stressed, it’s more likely to get hit.

5. Weeds love it. Crabgrass, spurge, and other weeds thrive in thin, stressed-out lawns. If the grass is struggling, weeds are quick to move in.

🔧 What You Can Do to Help

Mow high. Keep your mower set to 3.5–4 inches. Taller grass holds moisture better and shades the soil.

Water smart. Water early in the morning so the lawn can soak it up before it gets hot. Aim for about 1 inch per week, all at once if you can.

Don’t overdo it. Avoid mowing too short, overwatering, or doing anything too aggressive like aerating during a heat wave. Let the lawn rest.

Expect some brown. It’s okay! A little browning doesn’t mean the lawn is dying. Most grass will bounce back once the weather cools off, especially if the roots are still healthy.

🌱 Planning Ahead

If your lawn takes a beating this summer, fall is the perfect time to fix it up. Aeration and overseeding in early fall can help fill in the thin spots and set it up for a strong comeback.