Protecting Your Heat Stressed Lawn During a Heatwave

A heat stressed lawn can develop quickly during extreme temperatures, especially when hot, dry weather lingers longer than expected. When your yard is dealing with grass heat stress, taking proactive steps now can help protect it from long-term damage and keep it looking its best all summer long.

High temps and dry weather may be perfect for beach days and backyard barbecues, but they’re tough on your turf. Whether you have cool season or warm season lawn care needs, extended stretches of high temperatures and limited rainfall can weaken your lawn. Extreme heat and low moisture levels force your grass to work overtime to survive — often resulting in hot weather grass that becomes discolored, brittle and slow-growing.

While you can’t change the temperature outside, you can help your lawn handle it. Below, we break down lawn care during heat waves, what high heat does to your turf and how to defend against the toughest summer conditions.  

TruGreen can help your lawn beat the summer heat with Lawn Stress Guard. By improving water penetration and root growth for a more resilient lawn, we set your lawn up for success all summer long.  

Heat stress happens when your grass stays too hot for too long, typically when temperatures climb into the 90s and above. Warm season lawn care factors like humidity, natural shade, irrigation habits, soil health and mowing practices all affect how quickly your lawn experiences stress. As heat intensifies, grass begins to wilt, weaken, and lose color. 

In severe conditions, the combination of heat and drought can trigger summer dormancy, making your grass appear brown or patchy. Fortunately, grass dying in summer from heat alone is less common than many homeowners fear.

Keep in mind that symptoms of heat stress on hot weather grass often mimic common lawn diseases, so if you notice discoloration or slowed growth, contacting your local TruGreen expert is the best next step. Our specialists can diagnose the issue and create a lawn heat defense plan tailored to your yard.  

Grass dying in summer can happen during a heat wave, but mowing practices can play a major role in heat protection. Raising your lawn height in summer while mowing helps shade the soil and retain moisture. Avoid mowing during extreme heat and never cut shorter than your grass type can tolerate.

Stick to the recommended mowing heights below:

Warm-season grasses:

• St. Augustinegrass: 2.5-3.75"
• Bermudagrass: 1-2"
• Centipedegrass: 1.5-2"
• Zoysiagrass: 1.5-2.5"

Cool-season grasses:

• Kentucky Bluegrass: 2.5-3.5"
• Perennial Ryegrass: 2.5-3.5"
• Fine Fescue: 2-3.5"
• Tall Fescue: 3-4"

To avoid scalping or stress, never remove more than one-third of the blade at once. Keeping lawn height in summer in line with the measurements above is crucial. If grass is overgrown, mow gradually across several sessions. 

Yes. Most heat stressed lawns recover once temperatures cool and consistent watering (or rainfall) resumes. Recovery times vary, but heat stress is rarely permanent. If your lawn seems slow to bounce back, TruGreen can help pinpoint the issue and create a lawn heat defense recovery approach that supports long-term health and resilience.

Additionally, incorporating mulch around your lawn can help retain moisture and protect roots from excessive heat. Regular aeration and overseeding, for cool-season lawns, can also enhance root strength and lawn density, which helps with recovery.

Remember, patience and proper lawn care techniques are key to nurturing your lawn back to its optimal health. It's important to pay attention to the weather forecast and adapt your lawn care routine accordingly to make sure your grass receives adequate nutrients and water during critical periods. 

From scorching heat to extended drought, a dense, healthy lawn is your best protection against summer stress. Since every lawn has unique needs, TruGreen designs personalized plans that help your turf withstand and recover from extreme weather.

With ongoing support, you’ll spend more time enjoying your outdoor space and less time worrying about how to keep grass green in hot weather, watering grass during a heat wave or looking for the signs of grass heat stress.