Welcome to June! Summer has officially arrived in Northeast Florida, and with it comes the classic combination of intense sunshine, soaring temperatures, and those predictable afternoon thunderstorms.
For our lawns, June is a peak growing month, but it’s also a time of high stress. Between the heat and the humidity, your turf is working overtime. To keep your yard looking lush, green, and healthy all summer long, here is what needs to happen in your yard this month—and exactly how we handle the heavy lifting for you.
1. Master the Summer Watering Routine
With the thermostat consistently hitting the 90s, proper irrigation is everything. However, more water isn’t always better—smarter water is.
- How Much: Your lawn needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall.
- The Schedule: If Mother Nature doesn’t provide the rain, water deeply 2 days a week rather than a little bit every day. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, making your grass more drought-resistant.
- The Best Time: Always set your timers for the early morning hours (4:00 AM to 8:00 AM). Watering at night leaves moisture sitting on the blades for too long, which invites fungal diseases, while watering in the midday sun leads to massive evaporation.
2. How We Keep Your Grass Healthy (Mowing Heights & Sharp Blades)
When the summer heat cranks up, mowing isn’t just about cutting the grass—it’s about protecting it. This is where our team goes to work to ensure your turf stays resilient:
- We Adjust the Heights: We raise our mower blades during the summer months to aim for a precise cutting height of 3.5 to 4 inches for St. Augustine and Zoysia lawns. Taller grass means a deeper root system and better shade for the soil, which helps retain moisture and blocks pesky weed seeds from germinating.
- We Stick to the 1/3 Rule: We never remove more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mow. Taking off too much at once shocks the grass and leaves it vulnerable to the blazing sun, so we keep the schedule consistent.
- We Keep Our Blades Nice and Sharp: Dull blades tear the grass instead of cutting it cleanly, leaving ragged, brown edges that invite disease. We consistently sharpen our equipment blades so every single cut is clean, crisp, and healthy, leaving your lawn looking manicured and bright green.
3. Keep an Eye Out for Summer Pests
June is prime time for lawn pests to wake up and start looking for a snack. The two biggest culprits to watch for right now are:
- Chinch Bugs: These tiny pests love hot, dry patches of St. Augustine grass (often starting near concrete driveways or sidewalks). If you notice localized yellowing or pooling brown spots that look like drought damage despite watering, chinch bugs might be the cause.
- Sod Webworms: Keep an eye out for small, tan moths flying up when you walk through the grass. Their larvae chew on grass blades, leaving notched, ragged edges and short patches that look freshly grazed.
Pro Tip: Catching pests early is the key to preventing major damage. If you suspect an infestation, it’s best to treat the targeted area immediately before it spreads across the entire yard.
4. Manage the Summer Fungus Flush
While the afternoon rain showers are great for keeping things green, the combination of standing water and high overnight humidity creates the perfect breeding ground for lawn fungus, such as Take-All Root Rot or Large Patch.
If you notice circular thinning areas, yellowing blades that easily pull away from the roots, or dark, slimy patches, hold off on nitrogen fertilizers (which feed the fungus) and consider a preventative or curative fungicide treatment.
Enjoy Your Summer—Leave the Hard Work to Us
Summer should be spent enjoying your outdoor space, not pushing a mower in the grueling Florida heat. At Turf Doctor Landscaping & Lawn, we take the guesswork out of summer lawn care by ensuring the proper cutting heights, precision blade maintenance, and expert care your yard needs to thrive.
Ready to sit back and relax while we keep your lawn the envy of the neighborhood? Give our office a call today to get on the schedule!