Water in the Morning: Here’s a tip that’s pretty common but it is also very important. Watering in the morning is ideal because it is cooler in the morning. This allows more water to be absorbed rather than just evaporate away. Definitely avoid watering in the evening when not enough water evaporates and disease is most likely to develop on the wet lawn.
Don’t Overwater: Overwatering can also lead to disease. When too much water sits on the lawn and doesn’t evaporate, it creates the prime wet conditions for disease. Overwatered grass also has shallow roots making them more susceptible to heat. A good rule of thumb is to water about an inch to an inch and a half once a week.
Keep Grass Longer: Yes, we know you love a clean, short cut lawn. Don’t worry, you don’t have to let your lawn turn into a forest, but it is healthier for grass to be slightly longer when it is hot. Keep grass about 3 inches tall during very hot times. Like all plants, grass has a crown where new growth comes from. By keeping the lawn longer, the blades shade the crown and protects new growth. Longer grass also shades the soil, allowing less drying.
Utilize Clippings: Instead of bagging the clippings after you mow, consider letting them hang around a bit. A layer of grass clippings retains moisture in the soil and actually fertilizes the grass. Be careful with this because wet or long clippings actually smother the grass.
