My lawn is not doing well in this hot weather. It is brown in spots and generally off color even though I am watering regularly. Is there anything else I can do?
You did not indicate if you fertilized this spring. A light fertilization might be helpful. However, fertilizer can burn in hot weather. Apply fertilizer at half rate or less in the morning followed immediately by irrigation.
Raising the mowing height would be the most helpful change you could make. The leaf blades are the food manufacturing plant for grass. Longer blades mean more food is manufactured. Research has shown that the root system of lawns is in direct proportion to the leaf surface. Longer blades mean thicker and deeper roots. Deeper roots make it possible for the grass plants to pick up more water and nutrients from the soil and go longer between irrigations. I would recommend a minimum mowing height of 1½ inches. Two or 2 ½ inches is even better.
Longer turf also results in fewer weeds. Weed seeds need light to germinate. Longer turf means less light reaches the ground.
