Minnesota summers are short—but they sure can be intense. Long stretches of heat, sudden dry spells, and full days of sun can do a number on your lawn if you’re not prepared.
If you’re starting to notice brown patches or crispy grass, don’t panic. With the right care (and a little help from the weather), your lawn can stay green and healthy through the hottest part of the season. Here are some practical tips to keep your yard looking its best all summer long.
1. Water Deep, Not Often
One of the biggest mistakes we see in the summer? Watering too often but not enough. Your lawn doesn’t need a quick sprinkle every day—it needs a deep soak a couple of times a week.
Try to aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either from rain or your sprinkler. And always water early in the morning (before 9 a.m. is best) so the water has time to soak in before the sun gets too strong.
Bonus tip: skip the evening watering. It might seem convenient, but it can leave your lawn damp overnight, which invites fungus.
2. Raise That Mower Blade
In the summer, taller grass is healthier grass. Mowing your lawn at 3–4 inches helps shade the soil, reduce evaporation, and protect the roots from the heat.
Also, try not to cut more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. It might feel like you’re mowing more often, but your lawn will be a whole lot stronger for it.
3. Hold Off on Fertilizer During a Dry Spell
If your lawn is already looking stressed, skip the fertilizer for now. Fertilizing during extreme heat or drought can do more harm than good. It forces your grass to grow when it doesn’t have the water or nutrients to support it.
Save the fertilizer for early fall, when the weather starts to cool down and your grass is ready to grow again.
4. Watch for Weeds, Bugs, and Brown Patches
Summer is when weeds and pests really start to show up. If you notice new weeds popping up or brown spots spreading across your lawn, it might be time to step in.
Look out for:
If you’re not sure what’s going on, give us a call. We can help identify the issue and take care of it before it spreads.
5. Dormant Doesn’t Mean Dead
If your lawn turns brown during a stretch of dry weather, it might just be going dormant. It’s your lawn’s way of protecting itself.
As long as it gets a good soaking every couple of weeks, it’ll bounce back once the weather cools off. So don’t rush to rip it up or replace it—give it time and water, and it’ll recover.
Keeping your lawn green through the summer isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. With a few simple adjustments to how you mow, water, and care for your grass, you can keep your yard looking great without breaking a sweat.
And if you’d rather not worry about it? That’s where we come in. At RJ3 Property Maintenance, we know what Minnesota lawns need and when they need it. From weekly mowing to full-service lawn care, we’re here to keep your yard healthy all summer long.
Get in touch today to schedule a service or chat about a lawn care plan that works for you.
