8 Essential Lawn Care Tips for a Healthy Northern Michigan Lawn this Summer
You’ve got the grill fired up, the drinks chilled, and the guest list ready… but then you take a look outside and realize your lawn could use a little TLC before the big day. Don’t worry—you’re not alone! A lot of homeowners find themselves scrambling when summer hits, wondering how to get their grass back in shape.
The good news? There are plenty of simple, do-able things you can do this summer to keep your lawn looking lush and inviting—even if you’re not a gardening guru. From watering the right way to mowing like a pro, these tips will help you get your yard BBQ-ready in no time.
Let’s walk through 8 easy ways to care for your lawn this summer so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your outdoor space.
1. Get Watering Right
Let’s be real—your lawn isn’t asking for much, but it does get a little cranky when it’s thirsty. One of the best things you can do this summer? Water smarter, not harder.
First things first: don’t water at night. We know it feels like a peaceful time to sprinkle the lawn, but damp grass sitting overnight is basically an open invitation for lawn diseases (ick). The sweet spot? Early morning, between 6–10 a.m. This gives the water time to soak in before the sun gets too intense, without lingering too long on the blades.
Now let’s talk how much—your grass wants about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. But here in Traverse City, we’ve got sandy soils that drain faster than you can say “sprinkler system.” When the temps rise, you may need to add an extra watering or two during the week to keep things from drying out.
Quick tip: Place an empty tuna can on your lawn when you water—when it fills up to about an inch, you’re good to go!
2. Give Your Lawn a Little Help with Hydretain
Even the most independent lawns sometimes need a little backup—and that’s where Hydretain comes in. Think of it as a moisture-saving sidekick for your thirsty turf.
So, what is Hydretain? It’s a natural, plant-based treatment that helps your lawn hold onto water longer. Instead of letting moisture evaporate into thin air (which happens way too fast in the summer), Hydretain pulls humidity from the soil and the air, turning it into usable water for your grass. Pretty cool, right?
This means your lawn stays hydrated longer between waterings—and you can water less often without sacrificing that lush, green look. It’s a smart choice for Traverse City lawns, especially with our quick-draining sandy soils that don’t like to hold onto moisture.
Bottom line: If your grass is looking a little stressed, Hydretain can help it chill out and stay hydrated—naturally.
3. Don’t Skip Mowing
When your lawn’s getting plenty of sunshine and water (go, you!), it’s going to start growing like crazy—which means regular mowing is a must.
It might be tempting to let things go a little longer between cuts, but letting your grass get too tall can actually do more harm than good. Long grass shades itself out, which weakens the lower blades, encourages disease, and creates the perfect hideout for weeds. Plus, tall grass is harder to mow cleanly, which can leave your lawn looking more “jungle” than “golf course.”
Aim to mow once a week during peak growing season, and never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. That keeps your lawn healthy, happy, and looking fresh—kind of like a good haircut.
4. Follow Good Lawn Mowing Protocol
Mowing isn’t just about cutting the grass—it’s about how you cut it. Following a few simple mowing best practices can make a huge difference in how your lawn looks and grows.
First up: keep those mower blades sharp. Dull blades don’t cut—they tear. And torn grass blades turn brown at the tips, making your lawn look dry and patchy even when it’s getting enough water. If you notice a frayed, yellowed look after mowing, it’s probably time to sharpen up.
Next: don’t mow too short. It might seem like cutting your grass extra low will buy you more time between mows, but it actually stresses out your turf. Cutting too short weakens the root system, makes your lawn more vulnerable to heat, and opens the door for weeds to move in. No thank you!
For most Traverse City lawns, aim to keep your grass around 3 inches tall in the summer. That height gives your lawn enough leaf surface to soak up the sun without drying out or scorching.
Bottom line? Sharp blades and the right mowing height = a happier, healthier lawn.
5. Keep Your Lawn Fed
Just like you need fuel to get through a hot Traverse City summer, so does your lawn! Fertilizing in the summer helps your grass stay strong when the heat is on—but it’s all about feeding it the right stuff.
Here’s the deal: the fertilizer blend your lawn loved in the spring? It’s not necessarily what it needs in July or August. During the summer, your grass is under more stress—from heat, foot traffic, and fast-growing weeds—so it needs a lighter, more balanced feeding to keep it healthy without pushing too much top growth.
Too much nitrogen (common in spring fertilizers) can actually make your lawn more vulnerable to drought and disease in the summer. A well-formulated summer fertilizer supports root health and stress resistance, helping your lawn stay green and resilient.
Not sure what to use? That’s where the Green Team comes in. We know exactly what Traverse City lawns need to thrive through the season—and we’re happy to take the guesswork off your plate.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Lawn Disease
Summer heat doesn’t just stress your lawn—it also creates the perfect environment for lawn diseases to show up uninvited. And once they take hold, they can spread fast.
Warm, humid conditions mixed with overwatering or poor drainage can lead to issues like brown patch, dollar spot, or even fungal infections that leave your grass looking blotchy, discolored, or just plain sad. If you start seeing strange spots, yellowing patches, or thinning areas, it’s time to take a closer look.
Catching disease early is key. Treating it quickly can save your lawn from serious damage—and from a full-on backyard meltdown. And don’t worry: you don’t have to be a turf detective. The Green Team knows what to look for and how to treat it before it spreads.
Pro tip: Stick to that early morning watering schedule and avoid mowing when your grass is wet—that’s when disease loves to spread.
7. Tackle Those Weeds
By mid-summer, weeds are out in full force—and yes, they’re just as annoying as you think. Crabgrass, clover, dandelions… you name it. They love the heat and are more than happy to crash your lawn party.
At this point in the season, it’s too late for pre-emergent weed control, so don’t waste your time (or your money) on it. Pre-emergents only stop weed seeds from sprouting—they won’t touch the ones that are already up and growing.
What your lawn needs now is targeted, post-emergent treatment to tackle what’s already there. Whether you’re spotting a few problem patches or you’re in full-on weed battle mode, quick action makes all the difference. The longer weeds hang around, the more they steal nutrients and water from your grass.
8. Hold Off on Aeration and Seeding (Unless You Really Have To)
We get it—you want your lawn to look amazing right now. But when it comes to aeration and seeding, summer is usually not the time to jump in.
Why? Because the heat of summer in Traverse City puts a lot of stress on both grass and soil. Seeds need consistent moisture and mild temps to germinate and thrive—two things Michigan summers aren’t exactly known for. And while aeration helps with compaction, doing it in the peak of summer can sometimes do more harm than good, especially if your lawn is already struggling with heat and dryness.
The best time to seed cool-season grasses like we have here is in the early fall. The soil is still warm (great for germination), but the air temps are cooler and there’s less competition from weeds. Your new grass gets a strong, healthy start before winter hits.
Unless your lawn has major bare spots, you just moved in, or specific issues that need urgent attention, it’s best to wait until fall.
Partnering with a Pro for Lawn Care in Grand Traverse and Leelanau County, MI
Keeping your lawn healthy all summer long takes time, attention, and a little bit of strategy. But when you step outside and see that green, thriving space ready for bare feet, backyard games, or just a quiet cup of coffee—it’s all worth it.
Of course, you don’t have to do it all on your own. If you’d rather spend your summer enjoying your yard instead of managing it, the Green Team is here to help. From watering tips to weed control and everything in between, we’ve got your back (and your lawn).
Ready for some help caring for your lawn this season? Get started by filling out our contact form.
Stay in “the know”! Sign up for our free quarterly newsletter to learn tips & tricks for maintaining the perfect yard.
We take your personal information very seriously. We will not share any of the information you provide with any 3rd parties. Provided information will be used specifically to contact you in regards to your inquiry.
Get Started Today
– 1 –
Give us a call or get started by filling out our contact form
– 2 –
Talk with one of our professionals about a plan that works best for you
– 3 –
Sit back and relax. The Green Team will come out swinging
