Essential Summer Lawn Care Tips for a Thriving Colorado Landscape

As temperatures rise and days lengthen, your lawn faces new challenges that require adjustments to your care routine. Summer in Colorado brings intense sun, periodic drought, and higher temperatures that can stress even the healthiest lawns. With the right summer lawn care approach, you can maintain a lush, vibrant landscape throughout the season while conserving water and preventing common problems.

Transitioning Your Lawn Care for Summer

The shift from spring to summer requires strategic changes to your lawn maintenance routine. Here's how to prepare your lawn for summer success:

Adjust Your Mowing Height

One of the most essential summer lawn care tips is to raise your mower blade. Taller grass:

• Develops deeper roots that access moisture further in the soil
• Shades the soil surface, reducing evaporation and weed germination
• Better withstand heat stress and drought conditions

For most Colorado lawns, a summer height of 3-3.5 inches is ideal. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing, as this can stress the lawn during hot weather.

Update Your Watering Strategy

As temperatures climb, proper irrigation becomes critical:

• Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth
• Apply water in the early morning (4-9 AM) to minimize evaporation and fungal issues
• Consider installing smart irrigation controllers that adjust based on weather conditions
• Follow local water restrictions while ensuring your lawn receives 1-1.5 inches of water weekly

Remember that consistent watering is better than alternating between drought and flood conditions. Your lawn needs about 1 inch of water per week during cooler periods and up to 2 inches during the hottest weeks.

Summer Fertilization Considerations

Spring's aggressive fertilization should transition to a more measured approach:

• Use slow-release fertilizers specifically formulated for summer
• Apply approximately half the nitrogen rate used in spring
• Consider iron supplements instead of high-nitrogen products if your lawn shows yellowing

If you prefer an organic approach, summer is an excellent time for compost tea applications that boost beneficial soil microbes without pushing excessive growth.

Common Summer Lawn Challenges in Colorado

Understanding and preparing for typical summer lawn issues will help you maintain a healthier landscape.

Heat Stress

When temperatures consistently exceed 85°F, cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass (common in Colorado) can enter dormancy. Signs of heat stress include:

• Fading color from bright to dull blue-green
• Footprints remain visible long after walking across the lawn
• Wilting or folding grass blades

Solution: Increase watering depth while maintaining proper frequency, avoid traffic on stressed areas, and maintain proper mowing height to provide shade for roots.

Summer Patch Disease

This fungal disease thrives in hot, humid conditions and can create brown patches 2-6 inches in diameter. It's particularly common in lawns with:

• Excessive thatch
• Compacted soil
• Poor drainage
• Improper watering practices

Solution: Improve air circulation by aerating, reduce thatch, and water in the morning, and apply fungicides only if necessary after proper identification.

Insect Pressure

Summer brings increased activity from lawn-damaging insects:

• Billbugs become active in June
• Japanese beetle larvae feed on roots throughout the summer
• Chinch bugs thrive in hot, dry conditions

Solution: Maintain proper lawn health to improve resistance, identify specific pests through inspection, and use targeted treatments only when necessary.

Essential Summer Lawn Care Tips

Follow these key practices to maintain a beautiful lawn throughout the summer months:

1. Practice Smart Irrigation

The most critical aspect of summer lawn care is proper watering:

• Check sprinkler coverage and correct dry spots
• Install rain sensors to prevent watering during or after rainfall
• Cycle irrigation runs (multiple short sessions) to prevent runoff
• Adjust watering based on weather conditions, not calendar schedule

2. Mow Properly

Beyond height adjustments:

• Keep mower blades sharp for clean cuts that heal quickly
• Mow in the morning or evening to reduce stress on grass
• Consider leaving clippings as natural fertilizer unless they're excessive
• Vary mowing patterns to prevent soil compaction and ruts

3. Address Weeds Promptly

Summer is prime time for weed growth:

• Spot-treat broadleaf weeds rather than applying blanket herbicides
• Apply pre-emergent herbicides for late-summer crabgrass control
• Consider corn gluten meal as an organic alternative
• Hand-pull isolated weeds before they go to seed

4. Minimize Traffic

Stressed summer lawns recover slowly from damage:

• Create pathways through high-traffic areas
• Temporarily reroute play activities during extreme heat
• Consider hardscaping for permanently high-traffic zones

Professional Summer Lawn Care Services

At Green Landscape Solutions, we understand the unique challenges Colorado lawns face during the summer months. Our comprehensive summer lawn care services include:

• Seasonal lawn maintenance programs tailored to your specific grass type and soil conditions
• Water-efficient irrigation management including smart controller installation and programming
• Environmentally responsible fertilization timed for optimal summer absorption
• Proactive pest and disease monitoring with integrated management approaches

Our experienced teams can help your lawn not just survive but thrive throughout the summer while conserving water and protecting the environment. We adjust all maintenance practices to align with seasonal needs, ensuring your landscape remains beautiful during the challenging summer months.