How to Protect Your Lawn in Extreme Heat

Texas summers are no joke. Between soaring temperatures, blazing sun, and little rainfall, your lawn faces serious stress. Without proper care, heat can turn green grass brown, weaken roots, and invite pests and disease.

But with the right strategy, you can maintain a healthy, green lawn even during extreme heat. Here’s how to protect your yard when the temperatures climb.

1. Water Deeply, Not Frequently

The biggest mistake homeowners make is watering too often but too shallow. This encourages weak, surface-level roots that can’t withstand heat or drought.

Instead, water deeply and infrequently, giving your lawn about 1–1.5 inches per week. Early morning watering is best—it reduces evaporation and allows roots to absorb moisture before the heat peaks.

2. Adjust Mowing Height

During extreme heat, taller grass shades the soil, conserving moisture and keeping roots cool.

Raise your mower blade by about half an inch higher than usual during hot months. Following the one-third rule—never cutting more than one-third of the grass height in one mow—helps minimize stress and prevents scalping.

3. Avoid Fertilizing During Peak Heat

While fertilization promotes growth, applying it during high heat can actually harm your lawn. Nutrient uptake slows down in stressed grass, and fertilizer may burn delicate roots.

Instead, time fertilization for early summer or early fall when temperatures are moderate and your lawn can absorb nutrients efficiently.

4. Aerate for Better Airflow

Compacted soil restricts root access to oxygen and water—two essentials during heatwaves. Core aeration relieves this pressure, opening channels for moisture and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil.

Scheduling aeration before or after the hottest part of summer keeps your lawn resilient and hydrated from the roots up.

5. Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp

Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leaving ragged edges that dry out faster in the sun.

Sharpen your blades regularly to ensure a clean cut that helps your lawn recover quickly—even under tough conditions.

6. Manage Weeds and Pests

Heat-stressed lawns are more vulnerable to weeds and insect infestations. Regular weed control and insect management protect your turf from competition and damage.

Anointed Lawn Care’s integrated services handle everything from crabgrass to chinch bugs, ensuring your lawn stays strong and pest-free through the summer.

7. Use Moisture Management Treatments

Professional moisture management products, like LESCO® Moisture Manager, can significantly improve your soil’s ability to retain water.

These treatments help reduce irrigation needs by keeping moisture in the root zone longer—especially valuable during watering restrictions or drought conditions.

8. Don’t Overwater or Overcut

It’s tempting to “fix” a dry lawn by watering excessively or mowing short for a cleaner look—but both do more harm than good.

Overwatering can suffocate roots, while cutting too low exposes the soil to direct sunlight. Stick to consistent, moderate routines for the best results.

9. Schedule Professional Lawn Care

The combination of extreme heat, humidity, and soil stress makes summer one of the toughest seasons for lawns.

Anointed Lawn Care provides expert seasonal treatments—fertilization, aeration, pest control, and moisture management—designed specifically for Texas heat. Their local knowledge ensures your lawn gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it.