Keeping Your Northern Virginia Lawn Green Through the Summer Heat

Summer in Northern Virginia brings sunshine and outdoor fun, but it can also bring significant stress to your lawn. High temperatures, potential drought, aggressive weeds, lawn diseases, and pests can quickly turn a healthy green lawn into a patchy, brown eyesore. At Elmer’s Lawn & Garden, we’ve seen it all since 1994, and we have the expertise to help your lawn survive and thrive through the challenging summer months across Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and our entire service area. Below are our top summer lawn care tips for Northern Virginia homeowners:

1. Smart Watering Strategies

Water is critical during summer, but how you water matters most. Lawns in our area typically need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall.  

• Water Deeply, Infrequently: Aim for long, deep watering sessions 2-3 times per week rather than shallow, daily watering. This encourages deep root growth, making your lawn more drought-tolerant.
• Water Early: The best time to water is early morning (between 4-7 AM). This minimizes evaporation and allows the grass blades to dry before evening, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
• Watch for Stress: Look for signs of drought stress, such as a bluish-gray color, visible footprints remaining after walking on the lawn, or wilting blades. Adjust watering if needed, but also check that you aren’t overwatering, which can also cause yellowing and disease.

2. Adjust Your Mowing Habits:

Summer heat stresses cool-season grasses like the tall fescue common in Northern Virginia.  

• Mow High: Raise your mower blade to 3.5 to 4 inches. Taller grass provides shade for the soil, conserving moisture and cooling the roots.
• Keep Blades Sharp: Continue using sharp mower blades for clean cuts that minimize stress and disease risk.
• Avoid Mowing Wet Grass: Mowing wet grass can lead to an uneven cut and promote disease spread.
• Don’t Mow During Peak Heat: Avoid mowing during the hottest part of the day to reduce stress on both you and your lawn.

3. Combat Summer Weeds:

Weeds like crabgrass, nutsedge, ground ivy, and spotted surge thrive in summer. While pre-emergent herbicides applied in spring help , some breakthrough is inevitable.  

• Maintain Lawn Health: A thick, healthy lawn is your best defense, as it naturally crowds out weeds. Proper watering and mowing help maintain this density.
• Targeted Control: Use post-emergent herbicides carefully to control existing weeds without harming your lawn, especially during hot weather. Identifying the specific weed is key to choosing the right control method. For persistent issues like nutsedge, professional treatment is often required.

4. Watch for Lawn Diseases:

Hot, humid conditions create a breeding ground for fungal diseases like Brown Patch, Dollar Spot, and Red Thread.  

• Proper Watering: Avoid evening watering, which leaves grass wet overnight.
• Good Air Circulation: Ensure good airflow by trimming overcrowded shrubs or trees if necessary.
• Correct Fertilization: Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer in summer, which can fuel some diseases.
• Professional Diagnosis & Treatment: If you see circular brown patches, small tan spots, or reddish threads, contact a professional for accurate diagnosis and appropriate fungicide treatment.

5. Manage Summer Pests:

Lawn-damaging insects like grubs and chinch bugs become active in summer.  

• Grubs: These C-shaped larvae feed on grass roots, causing wilted, brown patches that may feel spongy or lift easily. Increased activity from moles or skunks digging in your lawn can also be a sign. Preventive grub control treatments are most effective.
• Chinch Bugs: These tiny insects suck moisture from grass blades, causing yellowing and brown patches. Proper irrigation can help manage populations.

Keep Your Northern Virginia Lawn Healthy All Summer Long!

Summer lawn care requires careful attention and adapting your practices to the weather. If you’re struggling with lawn diseases in Alexandria, grub control in Springfield, or need reliable lawn care services in Northern Virginia to handle the heat, Elmer’s Lawn & Garden is ready to assist. We proudly serve Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Vienna, Lorton, Woodbridge, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Stafford, Springfield, and McLean.  

Contact us today for a free consultation and let our experienced team keep your lawn looking its best, even through the hottest summer days!