Late Summer Lawn Care in the Treasure Valley: What Your Lawn Needs Right Now

As summer begins to wind down, many Treasure Valley homeowners notice their once-green lawns looking tired. Brown patches, thinning grass, and weeds often become more noticeable after weeks of hot temperatures. The good news is that late summer is the perfect time to help your lawn recover and prepare for the cooler months ahead.

With a few simple maintenance practices, you can keep your lawn healthy now while setting the stage for a beautiful yard this fall.

Hello Summer...

Raise Your Mower Height

One of the easiest ways to protect your lawn during Idaho’s hot summer weather is to mow a little higher. We recommend setting the mower height to approximately three inches.

Taller grass blades provide shade for the soil, helping it stay cooler and retain moisture longer. They also encourage deeper root growth, making your lawn more resistant to heat and drought stress.

Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass blade at a single mowing. Cutting too short, often called “scalping,” places unnecessary stress on the lawn and creates opportunities for weeds to move in.

Water Deeply, Not Daily

Many homeowners believe watering every day is best during hot weather. In reality, frequent shallow watering encourages shallow root systems that struggle during periods of heat. We have customers coming to our garden center nearly every week who are watering far too often, creating a shallow root system which can stress the lawn during the hot, dry months of July and August. Having said that, instead, water deeply when you water and do so less often. This allows moisture to soak several inches into the soil where roots can access it longer. Early morning is the ideal time to irrigate because less water is lost to evaporation, and the grass has time to dry before evening.

Deep watering encourages stronger, healthier lawns that are better equipped to handle Idaho’s summer temperatures.

Hold Off on Heavy Fertilizing

While your lawn still needs nutrients, mid to late July and early August are generally not the best time for heavy fertilizer applications. There is one fertilizer that does allow you to fertilize during our hot summer months, that being Ferti-lome Classic Fertilizer. Classic is a slow-release formula and is typically safe to use this time of year.

When daytime temperatures consistently remain high, excessive nitrogen can encourage rapid top growth while the grass is already under heat stress; However, if you think your lawn could benefit from a light feeding, Aloha Home and Garden often recommends Ferti-lome Classic Fertilizer. Its sulfur-coated nitrogen relies on naturally occurring soil microorganisms to slowly release nutrients over time. This gradual feeding provides a steady nutrition without the rapid flush of growth often associated with quick-release fertilizers.

Our knowledgeable staff can help determine whether your lawn would benefit from a light application now or if waiting until late August to mid-September would produce better results.

Watch for Weeds

Hot weather often weakens lawns, giving weeds an opportunity to establish themselves.

Rather than treating every weed immediately, identify the problem first. Some herbicides work best during cooler weather, while others are effective even during our summer months when applied correctly.

If you’re unsure which product is appropriate, bring us a sample or a clear photograph of the weed. We’ll gladly help identify it and recommend the proper treatment.

Begin Planning for Fall Overseeding

Although it may still feel like summer, now is the time to begin preparing for one of the most important lawn projects of the year.

Late August through September is generally the best time to overseed lawns throughout the Treasure Valley. Cooler temperatures, warm soil, and shorter days create ideal growing conditions for cool-season grasses.

If your lawn has thin areas or suffered heat damage this summer, overseeding this fall can dramatically improve its appearance next spring. Just as a note, there are different types of lawn seed, so be certain to ask one of our employees to help determine the proper type of lawn seed for your situation.

Don’t Forget Idaho’s Alkaline Soil

Many Treasure Valley landscapes naturally have alkaline soils, which can make it more difficult for grass to absorb certain nutrients.

Using quality fertilizers and proper soil amendments can improve nutrient availability and help maintain a healthier, greener lawn throughout the growing season.

Every lawn is different, and understanding your soil conditions is one of the keys to long-term success.

We’re Here to Help

Whether your lawn needs fertilizer, grass seed, weed control, or simply a little expert advice, the team at Aloha Home and Garden is always happy to help.

Bring us your questions, photographs, or even a sample of your lawn problem, and we’ll work with you to find the right solution.

With a little attention now, your lawn will be well on its way to becoming greener, healthier, and ready to thrive as cooler fall weather arrives.

Need help deciding what your lawn needs?

Stop by Aloha Home and Garden and visit with one of our knowledgeable team members. We’re proud to help Treasure Valley homeowners grow healthier lawns and more beautiful landscapes—one yard at a time.