what should i do to my lawn in august

Here’s your August lawn care ‘to do’ list:

• Regular mowing
• Feed if required
• Aerate compact areas
• Weed control
• Scarify
• Overseeding

Full Answer

How to take care of your lawn in August?

There is also plenty to do to maintain a healthy lawn during the dog days of summer, and the work you do in August will benefit your lawn into the fall and winter. Spend a little time in the mornings or evenings taking care of your lawn to keep it looking lush and attractive while also avoiding the midday August heat.

When is the best time of year to aerate your lawn?

Nutri-Lawn Ottawa offers a de-thatching and core aeration service that is best done in late August because your lawn will need about four weeks of optimal growth to recover. Keep your mower on the tallest setting through August as the heat will cause a lot of stress on your lawn.

How do you get rid of weeds in August?

A weed here or there won't damage your lawn, but a large number of weeds will suck the moisture from your grass, which needs adequate water during the hot days of August. 2. Mow on a High Setting Mow your lawn using the highest blade setting possible.

When is the best time of year to Mow Your Lawn?

Keep mowing and feeding based on the lawn care schedule you have developed over the typically warmer summer months of June and July, but also use August to prepare your lawn for the upcoming autumn months of September and October.

Should you fertilize your grass in August?

Fertilizing your lawn in late August or early September will help the grass fill in thin spots, grow a deep root system and store energy (carbohydrates) to survive winter and begin growing early next spring.

Can you apply fertilizer in August?

Timing: Apply summer lawn fertilizer once between June and August, 6 to 8 weeks after the late spring feeding.

What is the best fertilizer for grass in August?

Some of the best include Scotts Summer Lawn Food and Milorganite, but make sure that you don't use "weed and feed" products during the summer. Irrigation is more critical than fertilizer in the summer. These months tend to be hot and dry, so you'll need to ensure your lawn gets enough water.

How do I keep my grass green in August?

If you want a green lawn all summer long, you must water consistently.. Rather than shallow watering every day, water your lawn deeply once or twice a week. One to one-and-a-half inches of water a week will keep your lawn green. Most home irrigation systems can be pre-programmed to take care of the watering for you.

Should you aerate your lawn in August?

Dethatch and Core Aeration It's best to do dethatching and core aeration in late August so that your lawn can take up to four weeks to recover.

How often cut grass in August?

every 4 to 6 daysOne of the most common questions we hear is, “How often should you mow your lawn in the summer?” Over the summer you'll generally mow your lawn every 4 to 6 days. If there is a lot of rain or if you fertilize heavily, you'll want to mow every 4 days to keep your grass from getting too long.

Can I seed my lawn in August?

You can plant in the middle of August or if you can delay planting until Oct. 15, if necessary. Late summer marks the absolute best time to sow grass seeds for several reasons. They germinate readily because the soil is warm.

When Should I aerate my lawn?

You want to aerate the lawn when your grass is in its peak growing period so it can recover quickly—think early spring or fall for cool-season grasses, and late spring through early summer for warm-season grasses. If you have high-traffic areas or heavy clay soil, you will want to aerate every year.

What should I put on my lawn late summer?

Apply Fertilizer Depending on the type of grass you have, your lawn will need a fertilizer application either in late-summer or the fall. Warm season grasses, like Bermudagrass, St. Augustine grass, Centipede grass, Zoysia grass, Bahia grass and Carpet grass, should be fertilized in the late summer.

Should you water lawn every day in hot weather?

Between irrigation and natural rainfall, your grass should receive between 1 and 1.5 inches of water each week during the summer. Water deeply every other day for the best results. Your turf should receive about 1/3 an inch of water every two days in order to maintain deeper roots, thus helping protect against drought.

Should I leave my grass longer in summer?

“Keeping grass a little longer in the heat of summer helps,” explains Williams. “The roots extend deeper into the earth, keeping weeds from coming up and competing for water. And because the turf is denser, it requires less water.” Williams recommends a blade height of about 4 inches during the summer months.

Should you water grass on hot days?

Avoid watering grass on a hot afternoon when it's 95 degrees or higher. The best time to water grass is at dawn or in the early evening. Water deeply three times a week instead of a little water daily.

What happens if I fertilize in the summer?

Fertilizing in the early summer can give your warm-season grass, which grows best at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, a boost to grow thick and healthy. Fertilizing at the right time can make your grass more heat- and drought-resistant. However, if you apply too much, you run the risk of burning your lawn.

Can I fertilize my lawn in the summer heat?

Avoid applying fertilizers when plants are dormant or under heat and drought stress. Fertilizers should be incorporated into the soil to prevent losses. If you cannot physically incorporate a fertilizer at this point in the season, it may be best to stick with a water-soluble fertilizer.

Can you put lawn fertilizer down in the summer?

Feeding in the early summer helps strengthen the lawn so it can better withstand the heat and drought conditions that summer is famous for. Scotts® Turf Builder® releases its nutrients slowly over time, making it the go-to fertilizer for all grass types.

Can you apply fertilizer in hot weather?

Mid to late summer are typically too hot to fertilize the lawn. Applying fertilizer in summer is best done with a light hand or when the plant shows signs of low fertility such as paler colors than usual. Then make sure you water the plants before applying fertilizer, and again afterward.

What is the best fungicide for tall fescue?

The best 1-2 punch of fungicides is Artavia 2SC and Propiconazole. Rotating these two products can quickly stop and reverse the spread of diseases.

What to do if you have grubs in your lawn?

If you have noticeable grubs or grub damage in your lawns, apply Dylox. If there are no signs of brown patch fungus, apply fertilizer – particularly one with a higher potassium percentage. This is also a great time to apply micronutrients such as humic acid, sea kelp, molasses, and iron.

When to apply Prodiamine to lawn?

If you’ve applied Prodiamine in the early spring to prevent crabgrass and other weeds, you may have reached your max application rates for the year. If so, try Pendulum. This late summer and early fall preventative application should be a good start at preventing poa annua next year. But please remember, you cannot seed your lawn when applying these pre-emergents. Core aeration is OK prior, but these selective herbicides will prevent your grass seed from germinating. So it’s one or the other here.

Why is my lawn turning brown?

The heat and drought stress of the summer may have taken their toll on your lawn. Seeing brown patches of grass could be a sign of drought stress. Treat this with fungicides (such as Azoxystrobin or Propiconazole mentioned above), depending on the fungus.

When to apply Dylox for grubs?

If so, apply Dylox at the first signs of grubs or grub damage.

Can you use core aeration to prevent PoA annua?

You may have had escaped the damages of the summer, but have had some pesky weeds in your yard. This could steer you in the direction of core aeration to relieve soil compaction and a late summer pre-emergent application to prevent poa annua next year.

When should I start glyphosate on my lawn?

But for now, begin by killing off your existing grass with glyphosate by the middle of August. This is going to take two applications. Begin to prepare your soil (clearing, leveling, etc.) and absolutely buy your grass seeds early. Finding the right grass seed can be difficult this time of year (simple supply & demand) so be sure to buy them now.

Why do worms return to my lawn?

Worms: You might notice a return of worm casts as damp weather increases. This is a sign your lawn is healthy but can be a problem when mowing. Brush worm casts back into the lawn to create an even surface.

When is the best time to plant grass seed?

Late summer is a good time to plant grass seed as the conditions are ideal for germination. Overseeding will help repair bare patches caused by high traffic and the heat of summer.

When is the best time to apply weed control?

Weed control: August is a good time to apply weed treatments to the whole lawn. You can also wait until September to do this if you have a weed problem. If you’ve kept on top of weeds throughout the summer, it’s best to continue with manual removal or use a spot treatment for stubborn weeds.

Do newly sown lawns need water?

Don’t forget that newly sown lawns need plenty of moisture, so if there’s little rain, you might need to set up a watering schedule, too.

Is August a dry season?

Of course, warm and dry weather can still be a concern during August. Check our July lawn care advice for more information on watering your lawn to keep the grass in tip-top condition.

Why is my lawn turning brown?

Mow your lawn using the longest blade setting possible. The hot days of August can bake your grass , causing it to turn brown. Mowing the grass longer helps provide shade to the blades and also helps the lawn retain moisture.

How to keep grass from getting dry in August?

1. Pull weeds when you notice them. A weed here or there won't damage your lawn, but a large number of weeds will suck the moisture from your grass, which needs adequate water during the hot days of August.

How to get grass seed to sprout in August?

Sprinkle grass seed in bare patches and areas that have turned brown in the August heat. Water the grass seeds daily until they sprout. Do this in the early morning or late evening so most of the water reaches the seeds rather than evaporates.

Can you use grass clippings instead of fertilizer?

Consider "grasscycling" as an alternative to traditional fertilizer. To grasscycle, the University of California recommends mowing your lawn but allowing the clippings to fall back into the grass rather then collecting them and throwing them away. The nutrients in the clippings will absorb into the soil when you water the lawn, which feeds the roots. It also helps the lawn retain moisture despite the heat.

When is the best time to prepare your lawn for winter?

Fall and winter might be the last things on your mind during the hot days of August, but August is just the right time to begin preparing your lawn for colder months. There is also plenty to do to maintain a healthy lawn during the dog days of summer, and the work you do in August will benefit your lawn into the fall and winter.

Who is Sara Ipatenco?

Sara Ipatenco has taught writing, health and nutrition. She started writing in 2007 and has been published in Teaching Tolerance magazine. Ipatenco holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education, both from the University of Denver. Related Articles. How to Get a Weed-Free Lawn.