Lawn Tips: What is heat stress and how to prevent it?

It’s that time of the year where we are beginning to see drought like scenarios. Extended periods of summer heat, bright sunshine, and warm nights combined with the lack of rain, creates the perfect scenario for Heat Stress. Inadequate watering is also the number one cause for lawn disease and fungus. 

Heat Stress (as seen in the images above) can be easily misdiagnosed as chemical burn to an untrained eye. Heat Stress can also look different from situation to situation. Some Heat Stress could look patchy on some lawns compared to other lawns where it could cover the entire lawn. Lawn Bruising is another sign of heat stress. Tires, hoses, trash cans and even footprints are among a wide range of things that can cause bruising. Below are some images of heat stress bruising.

So what can you do to help protect your lawn?

1. Daily watering is by far the most important thing you can do to protect your lawn. EVERY LAWN should be getting daily water at this point. The best times to water are 5-7am. Some areas of the lawn may need more water compared to other areas of the lawn. An additional short evening watering can help cool soil temperatures and reduce heat and drought stress.
2. Proper Mowing is also very crucial to reduce heat stress and bruising. Setting the mower at the highest setting helps keep the lawn cool and helps choke out the weeds. Cutting the lawn short creates more stress for the already stressed lawn. 

If you follow these simple steps, you will greatly reduce the appearance of heat and drought stress in your lawn.