Beat the Heat: Summer Lawn Care Tips That Actually Work

As temperatures rise across southeastern North Carolina, so does the pressure on your lawn. Between long sunny days and the occasional summer drought, your grass goes into survival mode, and if you’re not careful, so does your landscape.

Whether you’ve invested in sod, regular lawn maintenance, or professional landscape installation, summer stress can undo a lot of good work. That’s why understanding how to protect your lawn through the heat is one of the smartest things you can do as a homeowner.

What Is Heat Stress and What Does It Look Like?

Heat stress happens when high temperatures and dry conditions put more pressure on your lawn than it can handle. You’ll usually see signs like:

• Patches of brown or yellowing grass
• Footprints that don’t bounce back
• A dry, brittle texture even after watering

These symptoms can be easy to miss until it’s too late, but with a few adjustments, you can help your lawn bounce back quickly.

Tip 1: Water Deeply (But Not Too Often)

Many homeowners overwater in the summer, but grass doesn’t need water every day. What it needs is a good soak a couple of times a week.

Pro tip:
Water early in the morning—between 4 AM and 8 AM—so moisture reaches the roots before it evaporates. Avoid watering at night, which can lead to disease.

Tip 2: Raise Your Mower Blade

Cutting your grass too short can expose the soil, leading to even more heat damage. In the summer, let your grass grow a bit longer to protect the root system and conserve moisture.

If you’re not sure what the right height is for your grass type, our team can help you figure it out as part of our customized lawn care services.

Tip 3: Don’t Fertilize in Peak Heat

Fertilizer might seem like a solution to fading grass but applying it in extreme heat can make things worse. Most lawns in Zone 8b don’t need feeding during high summer, wait until late summer or early fall.

Tip 4: Keep It Clean

Lawn furniture, toys, or even tarps left out for days can smother your grass and leave dead spots. Try to keep your lawn as clear as possible during the summer to allow it to breathe and recover between uses.

Bonus Tip: Consider a Drought-Tolerant Upgrade

If you’re starting fresh or want a more sustainable landscape that thrives through tough seasons, our team can recommend low-maintenance plantings or drought-tolerant sod varieties suited to our local climate.

We install trees, shrubs, and sod that are built to thrive in southeastern North Carolina, especially in sandy, salty, or heat-prone conditions.

Explore our tree and shrub installation services

Need Help Getting Your Lawn Through the Heat?

At Bowman’s Best Lawn Care, we’ve helped homeowners across New Hanover County protect and revitalize their lawns for more than two decades. Whether you’re maintaining an established yard or starting from scratch with fresh sod, we’ll tailor a plan that works for your lawn and your schedule.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation or ask about summer lawn care packages.

Let’s keep your lawn looking its best, no matter how hot it gets.