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10 Summer Lawn Care Tips to Get Your Yard Ready for Hot Weather
Summer is almost here, which means longer days, warmer temperatures and plenty of opportunities to enjoy your outdoor space.
It can also mean more stress on your lawn and landscaping.
A little preparation before the hottest weather arrives can help you stay on top of seasonal maintenance and keep your yard looking its best. The key is remembering that every lawn is different. Grass type, soil, sun exposure, irrigation, weather and local watering rules can all affect what your yard needs.
Here are 10 summer lawn care tips to help you get started.
1. Adjust Watering for Summer Weather
As temperatures rise, pay attention to how your lawn is responding rather than automatically following the same watering schedule all year.
How much and how often you should water depends on factors such as your grass type, soil, recent rainfall, sun exposure and local weather conditions.
If you have an irrigation system, inspect it at the beginning of the season. Look for broken or misaligned sprinkler heads, leaks and areas receiving too much or too little water.
It’s also important to check current local watering restrictions and recommendations, particularly here in California, before setting an irrigation schedule.
The goal isn’t simply to water more because it’s hot. It’s to water appropriately for your particular landscape and current conditions.
2. Mow at the Right Height for Your Grass
It can be tempting to cut the lawn extra short so you don’t have to mow again as soon, but shorter isn’t necessarily better.
Different grass species have different recommended mowing heights, so identify what you’re growing and adjust your mower accordingly.
Avoid removing too much of the grass blade at once, and keep your mower blades sharp. Clean cuts are better for the appearance of your lawn than the ragged edges left by dull blades.
Your mowing schedule may also change throughout the season depending on how quickly the grass is growing.
3. Fertilize Based on Your Lawn’s Needs
More fertilizer doesn’t automatically mean greener grass.
The appropriate product and timing depend on your grass species, soil and growing season. Applying fertilizer when a lawn doesn’t need it—or using too much—can be wasteful and potentially harmful to the lawn and surrounding environment.
Before fertilizing, read and follow the product directions carefully. If you’re unsure what your yard needs, consider having the soil tested or getting advice appropriate for your particular type of turf.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is not add anything until you know what the lawn actually needs.
4. Know When Your Lawn Needs Aeration
Aeration creates small openings in compacted soil that can help air, water and nutrients reach the root zone.
But it doesn’t need to be an automatic summer project for every yard.
Whether aeration is appropriate—and the best time to do it—depends on your grass type, soil conditions and level of compaction.
If water tends to run off rather than soak into the soil, or if the ground has become heavily compacted from foot traffic, it may be worth investigating whether aeration could help.
For larger lawns, aeration equipment can often be rented, or the job can be handled by a lawn-care professional.
5. Clear Leaves, Branches and Debris
This is one of the easiest items on the list.
Pick up fallen branches, leaves and other debris that have accumulated around your lawn and landscaping.
Cleaning up makes the yard look better immediately and gives you an opportunity to inspect the property for other maintenance issues you might have missed.
While you’re at it, check garden beds, pathways and areas around fences and outdoor structures.
A good cleanup can make a surprisingly big difference without costing anything.
6. Edge and Trim Your Lawn
Sometimes it’s the details that make a yard look polished.
Cleaning up the edges along sidewalks, driveways and garden beds can give the entire landscape a more finished appearance.
Trim overgrown vegetation where appropriate, but use the right tool for the job and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
You don’t need to completely redesign the landscaping. A little trimming and maintenance may be enough to make an established yard feel refreshed.
7. Add Mulch to Garden Beds
Mulch can be both practical and attractive.
Depending on the material and how it’s applied, mulch can help retain soil moisture, moderate soil temperature and suppress some weed growth. It can also give planting beds a cleaner, more finished appearance.
There are plenty of options, including bark and wood-based products, compost and other materials.
Choose a mulch that’s appropriate for your landscaping and avoid piling it directly against tree trunks, stems or the foundation of your home.
8. Manage Weeds Carefully
It’s much easier to deal with a few weeds than an entire yard full of them.
For smaller areas, hand-pulling may be all that’s necessary, particularly if you can remove the root.
If you decide to use an herbicide or another weed-control product, make sure it’s appropriate for the weeds and surrounding plants you’re treating. Read and follow the entire product label, including application, protective-equipment, storage and disposal instructions.
Also check applicable local requirements before using lawn and garden chemicals.
When in doubt, a qualified landscaping professional can help determine an appropriate approach.
9. Clean Up Walkways and Hardscaping
Once you’ve finished working on the lawn and garden beds, give the rest of the outdoor space some attention.
Sweep grass clippings, leaves and dirt from driveways, patios and walkways rather than leaving debris behind.
This is also a good opportunity to inspect hardscaping for cracks, uneven surfaces or other maintenance issues.
Then step back and admire your work. This part is important.
10. Enjoy Your Outdoor Space
After all that mowing, trimming, sweeping and mulching, don’t forget why you’re doing it in the first place.
Go outside and enjoy it!
Set up a comfortable chair, have dinner on the patio, invite some friends over or simply enjoy a quiet evening in the backyard.
If your outdoor space is small, you can still create a welcoming retreat with a few pieces of appropriately sized furniture, greenery and outdoor lighting.
A beautiful yard doesn’t have to be elaborate. It should work for the way you want to spend time at home.
Get Your Yard Summer-Ready
Summer lawn care isn’t about following one perfect schedule.
Your lawn’s needs can change based on the type of grass you’re growing, weather conditions, water availability and even different areas of the same yard.
Start with the basics: inspect your irrigation, mow appropriately, clean up landscaping, manage weeds and pay attention to what your lawn is telling you.
And before making significant changes to watering, fertilization or chemical treatments, check recommendations that apply to your specific lawn and local area.
A little preparation now can make summer yard maintenance much more manageable.
Thinking About Selling This Summer?
If a move is on your radar, don’t overlook your outdoor spaces when preparing your home for the market.
The front yard is part of a buyer’s first impression, while patios, gardens and backyards can also play an important role in how a property presents in listing photos and during showings.
That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to spend thousands of dollars on new landscaping.
Before tackling expensive outdoor projects, let’s look at your property and talk about which improvements may make sense for your home and current market.
If you’re considering selling in San Jose, Willow Glen, Cambrian, Almaden, Japantown or the surrounding Silicon Valley area, I’d be happy to help you develop a preparation and marketing plan.
Michelle Elliott
Coldwell Banker Realty
408-839-7915
DRE #01777533
GET YOUR FREE HOME SELLING BOOK
About the Author – Michelle Elliott
With over 20 years of experience navigating the fast-paced Silicon Valley market, I provide a strategic, results-driven approach to residential real estate. My career is built on a foundation of deep local expertise and a relentless commitment to my clients’ success, resulting in over $235 million in lifetime sales volume and a consistent ranking in the top 3% of agents in Santa Clara County and top 2% at Coldwell Banker. My expertise has been featured on KTVU Fox 2, Real Producers and the Willow Glen Resident. She is also the co-host of the San Jose Podcast “Say What You Want About Real Estate”
A Hyper-Local Expert with Global Reach
I specialize in San Jose, in the neighborhoods of Willow Glen (95125 & 95124) Cambrian Park and Almaden, Downtown San Jose/Japantown (95112) markets. As a certified Luxury Property Specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty, I combine high-end marketing strategies with granular neighborhood knowledge to help my clients achieve premium results.
The “Tiger” at the Negotiating Table
My clients have characterized me as a “tiger” at the negotiating table who remains “sweet and patient” with my clients throughout the process. I pride myself on being a fierce advocate for my buyers and sellers, ensuring the best possible terms in every transaction, and I strive to be the best Realtor in 95125! This balance, drive, and tenacity have earned me consistent 5-star ratings across Google, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Yelp.
Michelle Elliott
Michelle@michelleelliottrealtor.com
1712 Meridian Ave, Ste C, San Jose, CA
DRE 01777533
