Your Complete Summer Lawn Care Guide for Tennessee (2025)

Image
Dad chasing his son across yard with water hose

Tennessee summers bring high heat, humidity, and occasional drought conditions, making it challenging to maintain a lush, green lawn. Without proper care, your grass may suffer from stress, thinning, and increased susceptibility to weeds and pests. Implementing effective summer lawn care practices ensures your lawn stays healthy and resilient throughout the season.

1. Mowing Practices

Proper mowing techniques play a vital role in maintaining a strong and vibrant lawn during summer.

Best Mowing Heights

Different TN grass types require different mowing heights to stay healthy:

  • Bermudagrass: 1-2 inches
  • Zoysia: 1-2 inches
  • Fescue: 3-4 inches

Keeping Mower Blades Sharp

  • Sharp mower blades create clean cuts, reducing stress on the grass and minimizing disease risk.
  • Dull blades tear the grass, leading to frayed brown tips and a greater chance of fungal infections.

Mowing Frequency & Techniques

  • Mow frequently enough to avoid cutting more than one-third of the blade length at a time.
  • Avoid mowing when the grass is wet, as this can cause uneven cuts and promote disease spread.
  • Consider mulching grass clippings instead of bagging them to return nutrients to the soil.

2. Watering Strategies

Efficient watering ensures your lawn remains hydrated without wasting water.

Deep, Infrequent Watering

  • Aim for 1-1.5 inches of water per week, applied in 2-3 sessions instead of daily watering.
  • Deep watering encourages deep root growth, which helps the lawn withstand heat and drought.

Best Time to Water

  • Early morning (4-10 AM) is the best time to water to minimize evaporation and reduce the risk of disease.
  • Avoid watering in the evening, as prolonged moisture on the grass can lead to fungal growth.

Signs of Overwatering vs. Underwatering

  • Overwatering Signs: Mushy soil, yellowing grass, excessive thatch buildup, and fungal growth.
  • Underwatering Signs: Wilting, brown or crispy patches, and footprints remaining visible after walking on the lawn.

Learn the 6 best lawn watering tips for TN yards.

3. Fertilization

Providing the right nutrients keeps your lawn healthy despite summer stressors.

Key Nutrients for Summer Lawn Health

  • Nitrogen (N): Encourages leafy green growth but should be applied carefully in hot weather.
  • Phosphorus (P): Supports root development, especially important for newly seeded areas.
  • Potassium (K): Enhances drought and disease resistance, helping grass thrive under stress.

Soil Testing for Precision Fertilization

  • Conduct a soil test to determine nutrient deficiencies and pH balance before applying fertilizers.
  • The ideal soil pH for most Tennessee lawns is 6.0-7.0.

Choosing the Right Fertilizer

  • Slow-release fertilizers provide a steady nutrient supply without burning the grass.
  • Organic options like compost or liquid seaweed can improve soil health over time.
  • Avoid excessive nitrogen in mid-to-late summer, as it can make grass more vulnerable to drought stress.

Check out our TN soil testing and fertilizer guide.

4. Weed and Pest Control

Controlling weeds and pests prevents them from overtaking your lawn during summer.

Common Summer Weeds & Control Methods

  • Crabgrass: Best controlled with pre-emergent herbicides in early spring and post-emergents in summer.
  • Nutsedge: Requires selective herbicides; hand-pulling often leads to regrowth.
  • Spurge: Thrives in thin lawns; maintain thick, healthy grass to prevent infestations.

Learn more about the 10 most common TN weeds.

Summer Lawn Pests & Solutions

  • Grubs: Feed on grass roots and attract moles. Treat with beneficial nematodes or insecticides if infestations occur.
  • Chinch Bugs: Cause dry, yellow patches; use insecticidal soap or chemical treatments as needed.
  • Armyworms: Can devastate lawns quickly; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or chemical treatments if needed.

Natural vs. Chemical Control

  • Organic methods: Hand-pulling weeds, using corn gluten meal as a pre-emergent, and introducing beneficial insects.
  • Chemical control: Use selective herbicides and pesticides carefully to target problems without harming beneficial organisms.

5. Aeration and Soil Health

Aeration helps alleviate soil compaction, but summer may not be the best time to perform this task.

Best Time for Aeration

  • Cool-season grasses (Fescue): Aerate in the fall when growth is strongest.
  • Warm-season grasses (Bermudagrass, Zoysia): Aerate in late spring or early summer before peak growth.

Learn more about the benefits of aeration and overseeding.

Maintaining Soil Health

  • Organic Matter: Applying compost improves microbial activity and nutrient availability.
  • Clay Soil Management: Use gypsum to break up compacted clay soils common in Tennessee.
  • Mulching: Grass clippings and leaves improve soil structure and moisture retention.
  • Proper pH Balance: A pH between 6.0-7.0 ensures optimal nutrient uptake.

How 4-Evergreen Lawn Care Can Keep Your Lawn Healthy All Summer

Taking care of your lawn during Tennessee’s hot and humid summers can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. 4-Evergreen Lawn Care offers expert lawn care services designed to keep your grass green, healthy, and thriving all season long.

Professional Lawn Care Tailored to Your Needs

Our team understands the unique challenges that Tennessee lawns face and provides customized solutions, including:

  • Fertilization Programs: We apply the right nutrients at the right time to promote strong root growth and resilience against heat and drought.
  • Weed Control: Our targeted treatments prevent and eliminate invasive weeds that compete with your grass for nutrients.
  • Pest Management: We protect your lawn from grubs, armyworms, and other damaging pests using safe and effective treatments.
  • Aeration and Overseeding: We improve soil health and encourage thick, lush grass by reducing compaction and introducing fresh growth.

Let the Experts Handle Your Lawn

With 4-Evergreen Lawn Care, you can enjoy a beautiful lawn without the hassle. Our comprehensive lawn care programs ensure that your grass stays green, healthy, and well-maintained throughout the summer and beyond.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and give your lawn the professional care it deserves!

Sources:

Related Articles
Image
House at Dusk
Drought-Tolerant Lawn Care Tips for Tennessee Summers

Tennessee summers can bring long stretches of high heat and limited rainfall, often resulting in periods of drought. For homeowners looking to maintain a lush, green lawn, these conditions can pose a challenge.

Continue Reading
Image
Adding fertilizer to small plants
5 Common Lawn Fertilization Mistakes Homeowners Make

Improper fertilization practices can actually harm your grass and the environment. Let’s dive into some common fertilization mistakes homeowners make and how you can avoid them to keep your lawn healthy and thriving.

Continue Reading
Image
Dandelions
Tennessee's Most Common Lawn Weeds and How to Get Rid of Them

Maintaining a lush, green lawn in Tennessee can be a challenge due to the persistent invasion of various weeds. These unwelcome plants compete with grass for essential nutrients, water, and sunlight, often leading to weakened turf and diminished lawn aesthetics.

Continue Reading
Image
Dad chasing his son across yard with water hose
Your Complete Summer Lawn Care Guide for Tennessee (2025)

Tennessee summers bring high heat, humidity, and occasional drought conditions, making it challenging to maintain a lush, green lawn. Without proper care, your grass may suffer from stress, thinning, and increased susceptibility to weeds and pests.

Continue Reading
Image
Molehills on green lawn
How to Identify Mole Damage in Your Lawn: A Guide

Mole damage can be a significant issue for homeowners in Tennessee. At 4-Evergreen, we understand the importance of maintaining a beautiful, healthy lawn. Moles, while small, can cause extensive damage that affects the appearance and health of your grass.

Continue Reading
Image
Home with beautiful trees and shrubs
The Best Privacy Trees for Missouri Yards

Discover the top privacy trees that can transform your Missouri yard into a secluded sanctuary, offering beauty, tranquility, and natural screening that will make your outdoor space truly your own. From fast-growing Leyland Cypress to the classic Arborvitae, we'll guide you through the best green solutions to create the private oasis you've been dreaming of.

Continue Reading
Image
Happy kid outside enjoying green grass
The Best Grass to Plant in Missouri

When it comes to creating a lush and vibrant lawn in Missouri, selecting the right grass is crucial. Missouri's diverse climate, with hot summers and cold winters, presents unique challenges for homeowners seeking a resilient and visually appealing lawn. In this guide, we'll explore the best grass varieties suited for Missouri's climate, helping you make an informed decision for your lawn.

Continue Reading
Image
Molehills on green lawn
Moles vs. Voles: Understanding the Differences and How to Manage Them

When it comes to garden and lawn damage, two small creatures often bear the brunt of the blame: moles and voles. While they may sound similar and share some similarities in their destructive behaviors, moles and voles are two distinct species with different habits and characteristics.

Continue Reading
Image
water spraying from a hose onto grass
The 6 Best Lawn Watering Tips for Tennessee

Maintaining a lush, green lawn in Tennessee's varying climate can be a challenge for homeowners. Adequate watering is crucial to ensure your grass stay healthy and vibrant throughout the seasons.

Continue Reading
Image
Energy Efficient Insulation
11 Signs Your Home Insulation Needs To Be Replaced

Your home insulation is one of the most important components in keeping your house comfortable all year round. Not only does it help to keep heat in during the winter months, but it also helps to keep your home cool during the summer.

Continue Reading
Image
Working in flower bed to pull weeds
How To Keep Weeds Out Of Your Flower Bed

No one wants to find weeds in their beautiful flower beds. Not only are weeds not pleasing to the eye, but they can also compete with your flowers for resources such as light, water, and nutrients.

Continue Reading
Image
Couple outside lying in grass
The 5 Best Grass Seeds for Tennessee

Whether you just bought a new home, are trying to establish new turf, or you’re just trying to beef up your grass to make it more resistant to pests and disease, it’s important to know which types of grass grow best in our area.

Continue Reading
Image
house with termites
How to Get Rid of Armyworms in Your Yard

If you have ever seen your garden plants skeletonized overnight, then you may have witnessed the destructive power of the armyworm. These larvae of different species of moths have a ferocious appetite and will strip any plant bare.

Continue Reading
Image
Family in Yard
The 11 Best Trees to Plant in Tennessee

Here in Tennessee, we love our trees—they clean the air and make a statement in your yard, providing shade from the intense heat of summer, while others provide some color in the dreary winter months.

Continue Reading
Image
tree and shrub
How to Protect Your Trees and Landscape from Road Salt

Sodium chloride or road salt is applied to roadways, driveways, and sidewalks in Tennessee to melt the ice and snow and improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians. The salt dissolves in water to create a brine that has a freezing point lower than water.

Continue Reading
Get a Free Estimate
Name
Address (autocomplete)
Contact Info

By submitting this form, you are agreeing to the privacy policy.

*Due to circumstances out of our control such as acts of God, insects, and turf diseases, we are not responsible for replacing the damaged lawn.

Validation
Submission