Summer in Upstate South Carolina brings hot temperatures, heavy rain, and long days of sunshine. While this can be great for outdoor fun, it can be tough on your lawn. Without proper care, grass can become dry, patchy, or overrun with weeds.
In this guide, you’ll learn simple summer lawn care tips to help your yard stay green and healthy all season long.
What is Your Grass Type?
Knowing what type of grass you have makes a big difference in how you care for it. Most lawns in Upstate South Carolina have warm-season grasses like Bermuda or Zoysia. These grasses do well in heat and grow fast during summer.
Some shady spots may have cool-season grasses like Fescue. These grasses can struggle in hot weather and may need more care, especially with watering.
Each grass type has its own needs. Understanding what’s in your yard helps you choose the right steps for summer care.
7 Summer Lawn Care Tips
Keeping your lawn green and healthy during the summer doesn’t have to be hard. With the right care and attention, you can avoid common problems like brown spots, weeds, and dry patches. Here are seven simple summer lawn care tips to help your lawn thrive in the heat.
1. Mow the Right Way
Mowing is more than just keeping your yard neat. It plays a big role in lawn health.
In summer, set your mower to a higher setting. Taller grass shades the soil, keeps roots cooler, and helps hold in moisture.
Cutting grass too short can stress it and lead to brown patches.
Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear the grass, which can turn the tips brown.
Also, mow regularly. Skipping too many days between cuts can cause clumps and damage the grass. Leaving grass clippings on your lawn can return helpful nutrients to the soil and reduce the need for extra fertilizer.
2. Water Deeply, Not Often
Water is key in summer, but how you water matters. Many people water too often but too lightly.
Instead, water your lawn deeply a few times a week. This means letting the water soak into the soil, not just wetting the surface. Deep watering helps roots grow deeper, which makes the grass stronger and more drought-resistant.
The best time to water is early in the morning, before the sun gets hot. This lets the water soak in before it evaporates.
3. Fertilization and Weed Control
Summer is a busy growing season for both grass and weeds. Your lawn needs the right nutrients to stay strong, green, and thick.
Apply fertilizer that fits your grass type and soil. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much can burn the grass in hot weather.
Weeds also grow fast in summer. Spot-treat weeds early before they spread. If weeds are a big problem, it may be time for a full lawn treatment.
Our Lawn Fertilization and Weed Control service helps manage both nutrients and weeds the right way.
4. Watch for Pests and Disease
Warm weather can also bring pests like grubs or chinch bugs. These bugs feed on roots and can kill patches of grass. If you see brown spots that don’t improve with water, pests might be the reason.
High humidity can also lead to lawn diseases like fungus. Keep an eye out for discolored patches or spots on blades of grass. Catching these problems early helps you treat them before they spread.
5. Aerate and Overseed When Needed
If your lawn gets a lot of foot traffic, the soil can become compacted. Compacted soil blocks water, air, and nutrients from reaching the roots.
Aerating your lawn loosens the soil and creates space for roots to grow. This can be done using a plug aerator, which pulls out small plugs of soil across the yard.
After aeration, it’s a good time to overseed. This means spreading new grass seed over your existing lawn to fill in thin or bare spots.
If your lawn has a thick layer of thatch (a buildup of dead grass and roots), consider dethatching. This improves how air, water, and nutrients reach the roots.
For best results, consider our Aeration and Overseeding service to improve your lawn’s thickness and health.
6. Use Mulch in Garden Beds
While caring for your lawn, don’t forget your garden beds. Mulch helps lock in soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and keep roots cool.
In summer, this makes a big difference. It keeps plants healthier and your yard looking clean and tidy. Our Mulch Installation service is a great way to refresh your landscape while helping your plants thrive.
7. Keep Up With Mowing
During summer, grass grows quickly. Regular mowing keeps your lawn neat and encourages strong growth. It also helps control weeds by not letting them flower and spread seeds.
If you’re busy or want a professional finish, our Professional Mowing service offers reliable, clean cuts that keep your yard in top shape.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of your lawn in summer doesn’t have to be hard. By following our summer lawn care tips of mowing correctly, watering deeply, feeding your lawn, and watching for signs of trouble, you can keep your grass green and strong all season long.
If you need help with any part of your lawn care, Greer Land and Lawn is here to help. We provide everything from mowing and mulching to aeration and fertilization, all tailored to the local climate in Upstate South Carolina.
