The dog days are a signal that it’s time for a little turf TLC to keep your lawn looking fine. Just put these summer lawn care tips into action and you’ll be sitting pretty. (Literally. On your lawn. With a frosty drink in hand.)

Early Summer

Mow high. Taller blades help grass develop deeper roots that are better at seeking out water underground. Tall grass also helps to shade soil and cool it, which means you’ll need to water less. (Score!) Continue to mow high all summer long.

Feed. Feeding in the early summer helps strengthen the lawn so it can better withstand the heat and drought conditions that summer is famous for. Scotts® Turf Builder® releases its nutrients slowly over time, making it the go-to fertilizer for all grass types.

In the Midwest, use Scotts® Turf Builder® SummerGuard® Lawn Food with Insect Control, which both kills and protects against listed insect pests like ants or ticks. If you live in the South, use Scotts® Turf Builder® Summer Lawn Food, a lawn food plus water maximizer that helps drive water into dry soils and feeds to build strong, deep roots so even during the heat of summer, you can have a seriously green lawn.

Treat for grubs. If you had a grub problem last year or know that a neighbor is fighting grubs, this is your last chance to fight them this season by applying Scotts® GrubEx®. These pests munch their way through grass roots, resulting in dead patches in late summer. Don’t let ’em win!

Let clippings lie. When you mow, leave the clippings there. They will break down and help to feed your lawn while you’re relaxing on the hammock.

Watch for weeds. Spot-treat any that appear using Ace Broadleaf Spot Weed Killer For Lawns, which kills weeds without harming grass. Take that, dandelions!

Mid Summer

Feed. If temperatures allow keep feeding your lawn every six to eight weeks. For a lush lawn with deep green hue.

Water deeply. Use a screwdriver or small trowel to check how deeply water is penetrating the soil as you water. The goal is to water long enough to reach a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Once you figure out how long it takes to complete the job, go ahead and put that screwdriver away. (Unless you want to carry it around so you look handy. Totally fine if you do.) If you need new hoses or sprinkler visit one of our locations in Carmel, Fishers or Geist or buy online at acehardware.com.

Late Summer & Hot Stretches

Water in the morning. As summer heat builds, your lawn will lose less water to evaporation if you time waterings for between 6 and 10 a.m. Sure, it’s early—but who says you have to do it without an energizing beverage?

Sharpen your mower blade. A dull blade tears grass, creating a ragged edge that loses moisture more readily than a clean cut. That’s not your style.

Work on weeds. Continue to spot-spray weeds using Ace Broadleaf Spot Weed Killer. No way those guys are getting the upper hand!