Tompkins Lawn Care

Mulch.

It helps suppress w**ds, retain moisture, and protect your plants from summer stress. Less work. Better-looking beds.

Need to refresh your mulch this season? Let's talk.

HOT WEATHER LAWN TIPS

Hot, dry conditions can put lawns under serious stress during the summer months. A few simple adjustments can help protect your turf:

• Don’t cut grass if it’s not actively growing
• Avoid mowing when temperatures are above 85°
• June–August mowing height should be 3.5"–4"
• Water deeply but infrequently — about 1.5" per week
• Reduce traffic on stressed areas

Your lawn’s needs change with the season. Summer is the time to focus on protection and recovery, not aggressive growth.

WHAT IS LAWN SCORCH?

Scorch is turfgrass stress caused by extreme heat + dry conditions. It can show up as yellow, straw-colored, or brown patches in the lawn.

Sometimes the grass is simply dormant and will recover quickly after rain or watering. Other times, the plant has actually been injured from heat, drought, or mowing during stressful conditions.

Signs your lawn is struggling:
• Grass changes from green → dark green → blue-green → brown
• Grass looks dry or less “succulent”
• Footprints stay visible after walking across it

What to do about it:
• Avoid mowing during peak heat (especially above 85°)
• Raise mowing height to 3.5"–4"
• Water deeply but infrequently (about 1.5" per week)
• Reduce traffic on stressed areas
• Don’t mow grass that isn’t actively growing

With the hot, dry conditions we’ve had — plus two winters with very little snow moisture — lawns are under heavier stress than normal right now.

The key is adjusting lawn care practices BEFORE damage becomes severe.

Questions about lawn scorch or summer lawn stress? Drop them in the comments.