Summer Lawn Care in Ontario: How to Keep Your Grass Healthy When the Heat Hits

Summer is when lawns look their best — or their worst. The difference usually comes down to a handful of habits that either support or stress your grass during the warmest months of the year. Here's what to focus on to keep your lawn looking great from June through August.

Water Deeply, Not Often

This is the single most important thing you can do for your lawn in summer. Many homeowners water a little bit every day, which actually encourages shallow root systems because the roots don't need to grow deep to find moisture.

Instead, water deeply two or three times per week. You want to deliver about an inch of water per session, enough to penetrate 6 to 8 inches into the soil. Deeper roots make for a more drought-tolerant lawn that can handle the dry stretches that are common in London in July and August. Water in the early morning if possible — it gives the grass time to dry before evening, which reduces disease risk.

Raise Your Mower Blade

During summer, set your mower blade to its highest or second-highest setting. Taller grass (3 to 4 inches) shades the soil, which keeps it cooler and retains moisture much more effectively than short-cut grass. It also means you're not stressing the plant by removing too much leaf blade at once.

The "one-third rule" applies year-round but is especially important in summer: never cut more than one-third of the blade length in a single mow. If the lawn has gotten long, bring it down gradually over a couple of cuts rather than scalping it all at once.

Don't Fertilize During a Heat Wave

Nitrogen-heavy fertilizers push rapid growth, which requires more water and puts additional stress on grass that's already dealing with heat. If the forecast shows a string of hot, dry days, hold off on fertilizing. A slow-release fertilizer applied when conditions are mild is far more effective and far less likely to burn your lawn.

Leave the Clippings

Grass clippings left on the lawn after mowing return nitrogen and moisture to the soil. This is sometimes called "grasscycling." As long as you're not cutting off enormous amounts at once and leaving thick clumps, leaving the clippings is good for your lawn and saves you the work of bagging them.

Keep an Eye Out for Grubs

Late summer is when white grubs — the larvae of June beetles and European chafer beetles — start feeding on grass roots just below the soil surface. Signs of grub damage include patches of grass that brown and pull up easily like loose carpet, and increased attention from birds, raccoons, or skunks digging at the lawn.

Grub treatments are most effective when applied in late July or early August when the larvae are small and close to the surface. If you're seeing damage for the first time, it's worth getting a professional assessment.

A Well-Cared-For Lawn Is Also a Better-Looking Property

Beyond just looking good, a healthy lawn supports drainage, reduces erosion, and improves the overall curb appeal of your home. Whether you're looking for seasonal lawn maintenance, grub control, or help recovering from summer stress damage, Lawns & Lanes is here to help. Call us at 226.234.6541 or visit lawnsandlanes.ca to learn about our lawn care services.