Be The Envy of The Neighborhood With These Summer Lawn Care Tips
Summer is when your lawn gets the most attention—and the most stress. With soaring temperatures, intense sun, and frequent foot traffic, your grass needs special care to stay healthy and vibrant. That’s why following the right summer lawn care tips is essential. Whether you’re hosting backyard BBQs or enjoying peaceful evenings outdoors, a thriving lawn sets the stage for summer fun.
Want a healthy lawn without the guesswork? Call Borst Landscape & Design at (201) 822-9327 or contact us online for a free consultation today!
Start with Smart Watering
One of the most common summer lawn care mistakes is watering too often—or not enough. The goal is to water deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root growth.
Watering Best Practices:
- Water early in the morning, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., to minimize evaporation.
- Aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall.
- Use soaker hoses or irrigation systems for even, efficient distribution.
Avoid watering in the evening, which can leave grass damp overnight and increase the risk of lawn diseases like fungus and mildew.
Adjust Your Mowing Technique
Cutting your grass too short in the summer can stress the lawn and invite weed growth. Taller grass shades the soil, retains moisture better, and develops deeper roots.
Summer Mowing Tips:
- Set your mower blades to 3 inches or higher.
- Sharpen mower blades regularly to avoid tearing the grass.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn to return nutrients to the soil—a practice called “grasscycling.”
Mow only when the grass is dry and avoid mowing during peak heat to prevent additional stress.
Feed Your Lawn Naturally
Organic fertilizers provide essential nutrients slowly and steadily, supporting consistent growth without the chemical burn risks of synthetic products.
At Borst, our organic lawn care program uses natural fertilizers rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—key nutrients that help your lawn resist drought, pests, and disease. Plus, they improve soil health and encourage beneficial microbes.
When to Fertilize:
- Apply organic fertilizer early in the summer for a strong start.
- If needed, a light mid-season feeding can support continued growth.
Avoid over-fertilizing in hot weather, as it can cause rapid growth and weaken the grass.
Watch for Weeds and Pests
Warm, humid weather provides ideal conditions for weeds and insects to thrive. Stay vigilant to keep your lawn looking its best.
Organic Weed and Pest Control:
- Spot-treat weeds by hand or with natural herbicides.
- Prevent and manage pests like grubs and chinch bugs with organic pest control solutions, including beneficial nematodes and essential oil-based sprays.
Unlike harsh chemical treatments, our organic options are safe for children, pets, and pollinators—and they won’t harm your soil or surrounding plants.
Aerate for Better Soil Health
Soil compaction is common in summer, especially with heavy foot traffic. Aeration relieves this compaction by allowing air, water, and nutrients to penetrate more deeply.
When and Why to Aerate:
- For cool-season grasses in Northern NJ, fall is the best time to aerate, but light summer aeration may help compacted areas.
- Aeration reduces thatch buildup and encourages deeper root development.
Pairing aeration with organic compost topdressing can further enhance soil structure and moisture retention.
Don’t Forget Lawn Edges and Borders
The edges of your lawn often show stress first. These areas typically receive more heat from sidewalks and driveways and may be missed by irrigation systems.
Edge Care Tips:
- Adjust your sprinklers to reach all corners and borders.
- Use a manual edger or trimmer to maintain clean lines and prevent grass from creeping into garden beds.
Well-maintained edges boost your curb appeal and give your landscape a polished look.
Mulch for Moisture Control
While it’s primarily used in garden beds, mulch can also benefit lawn areas—especially around trees, along walkways, and in dry zones.
Mulching Benefits:
- Retains soil moisture
- Regulates soil temperature
- Suppresses weeds
- Adds organic matter to the soil
Use natural mulch, like shredded bark or compost, and keep it away from the base of trees and shrubs to prevent rot.
Plan Ahead for Fall
These summer lawn care tips can help set the stage for a healthy fall. Avoid putting off maintenance just because the grass looks good now—long-term results depend on consistent care.
End-of-Summer Tips:
- Start thinking about overseeding to fill bare spots.
- Plan your fall fertilization schedule with your landscape team.
- Continue mowing and watering as needed into early fall.
Our full-service landscaping team at Borst can help you transition smoothly from summer into fall with tailored maintenance plans that keep your lawn thriving.
Partner with Borst for Year-Round Lawn Health
Summer can be tough on your lawn, but with expert care and organic solutions, it doesn’t have to be. At Borst Landscape & Design, we offer a concierge-level approach to lawn care—handling everything from soil testing and mowing to organic fertilization and pest control.
Whether you’re in Bergen, Morris, or Essex County, we’re here to make your landscape healthy, beautiful, and easy to enjoy.
Get the Lush Summer Lawn You’ve Always Wanted
Don’t leave your lawn to chance this summer. Let Borst Landscape & Design give your yard the professional care it deserves. We’ll help you create a healthy, green oasis that’s safe for the whole family.
Call (201) 822-9327 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today!
Check out our organic lawn care program!