Arizona’s summers are known for their extreme heat, intense sunlight, and prolonged drought conditions that make your summer lawn care routines very challenging. These conditions stress and dry out your grass, making simple tasks like fertilizing and mowing potentially dangerous to your lawn’s health if they are not done carefully.
To keep your Arizona lawn thriving through the summer, it’s important to understand the hazards of extreme heat and how to implement strategies to combat those hazards. Keep reading for more information on summer lawn care in Arizona!
Arizona’s summer heat poses several challenges to lawn health. With daytime temperatures often exceeding 100°F and little to no rainfall, grass can quickly dry out and become stressed. One of the biggest dangers is drought stress. Grass in Arizona needs regular watering, but because of high temperatures and low humidity, moisture evaporates quickly. If the roots don’t receive enough hydration, they become shallow and weak, leading to thinning patches and poor growth.
Another hazard is heat dormancy. Some types of grass, particularly cool-season varieties like fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, struggle to survive the summer heat and may go dormant to conserve energy. While dormancy isn’t necessarily a death sentence, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can weaken the lawn and make it more difficult to revive in the fall. Even warm-season grasses, like Bermudagrass or Zoysiagrass, can struggle if not properly maintained.
Watering efficiently is crucial in Arizona’s hot climate. The key is to ensure the soil absorbs enough moisture without losing too much to evaporation. The best time to water is early in the morning, ideally between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., before the sun rises and temperatures climb. Watering in the evening may seem like a good idea, but it can increase the risk of fungal growth due to lingering moisture.
Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent, shallow watering. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply two to three times a week rather than a little bit every day. This encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making them more drought-resistant. Most lawns in Arizona need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week during the hottest months. You can measure this by placing a small container in your yard while watering to track how much water is being applied.
Fertilization is also important, but summer isn’t always the best time for heavy feeding. Too much nitrogen in extreme heat can burn the grass and promote excessive growth, which increases water needs. Instead, use a slow-release or organic fertilizer in late spring to provide nutrients gradually over the summer months. If additional feeding is necessary, apply a light, balanced fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but avoid overdoing it.
Adjusting your mowing height is another critical step in preparing your lawn for Arizona’s summer heat. Many homeowners make the mistake of cutting their grass too short, thinking it will reduce maintenance. However, shorter grass exposes the soil to more direct sunlight, increasing evaporation and making it harder for the roots to stay cool and retain moisture.
During summer, set your mower to a higher setting, allowing your grass to grow at least 2.5 to 3 inches tall. Taller grass provides more shade for the soil, reducing water loss and helping prevent heat stress. The longer blades also support a deeper root system, which improves the lawn’s overall drought resistance.
Most importantly, never remove more than one-third of the grass height at a time when mowing. Cutting too much at once can shock the grass and weaken its ability to withstand heat. It’s also best to mow in the morning or evening when temperatures are lower to reduce stress on the grass. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn (known as mulch mowing) can also help retain moisture and return nutrients to the soil.
Hand-watering a lawn in Arizona’s summer heat can be exhausting, inefficient, and often leads to uneven coverage. An automatic irrigation system, such as a drip system or smart sprinkler setup, can make a world of difference in keeping your lawn hydrated without wasting water.
Drip irrigation systems are ideal for targeted watering, delivering moisture directly to the soil near the roots while minimizing evaporation. For lawns, a well-maintained sprinkler system with adjustable heads and timers ensures even coverage. Consider upgrading to a smart irrigation controller that adjusts watering times based on weather conditions and soil moisture levels, which helps prevent overwatering while ensuring your lawn gets the hydration it needs during heatwaves.
Weeds and pests thrive in stressed lawns, making summer the prime season for infestations. When grass is weakened by heat and drought, weeds such as crabgrass, spurge, and nutsedge can quickly take over. The best way to combat summer weeds is through preventive and proactive lawn care.
Applying a pre-emergent herbicide in late winter or early spring helps prevent weed seeds from germinating before summer arrives. Once weeds have already sprouted, spot-treating with a post-emergent herbicide or manually removing them is the best approach. Avoid using harsh herbicides in extreme heat, as they can stress the lawn further. Keeping your grass healthy through proper watering, mowing, and fertilization is the most effective way to outcompete weeds naturally.
Pests are another concern in Arizona summers. Common lawn pests include grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms, which can feed on grass roots and cause brown patches. Dry, stressed lawns are more vulnerable to infestations, so maintaining proper hydration and soil health is key to preventing outbreaks. If you notice signs of pest damage, such as wilting grass that doesn’t recover after watering or irregular patches of dead grass, applying a targeted insecticide may be necessary.
If you are in the Gilbert area and you need help taking care of your lawn this summer, call Little John's Lawns today. We offer a variety of lawn care services that are tailored to the specific challenges mentioned in this blog post and much more. Call us today for more information or to get a free quote!
Welcome to Little John’s Lawns! We are a family-owned company that specializes in providing professional lawn maintenance, lawn care, pest control, and irrigation services in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, and Queen Creek, AZ.