How to Keep Your Lawn Green During the Hot Summers in Connecticut
Connecticut summers don’t mess around. One minute it’s 75 and breezy, the next it’s 95 with humidity that feels like soup. And while you’re doing everything you can to stay cool, your lawn is out there soaking up the heat—and not in a good way.
So, how do you keep your lawn green during the hot summers in Connecticut without going overboard on water or watching it turn brown by July? Let’s walk through a few real, simple steps that actually work.
1. Water Deep, Not Often
This is one of the biggest game-changers. Instead of watering every day, water deeply 2 to 3 times a week. Your goal is to soak the soil to a depth of about 6 inches. This encourages deep root growth, which helps your grass survive longer during drought conditions.
Water early in the morning (between 5 AM and 9 AM) to reduce evaporation
Avoid watering at night—it increases the chance of lawn diseases
If your footprints remain in the grass, it’s time to water
2. Don’t Cut the Grass Too Short
It might be tempting to mow the lawn super short so you can go longer between mows, but short grass gets stressed fast in the heat.
Set your mower height to 3 to 4 inches for cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass or Fescue
Taller grass provides shade for the soil, helping it hold moisture longer
Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at once
3. Keep Your Mower Blades Sharp
Dull mower blades tear the grass instead of cutting it, which leads to brown tips and stress. Sharp blades give your lawn a clean cut, which helps it stay greener and healthier during high temps.
4. Use a Summer-Appropriate Fertilizer (or Skip It)
Feeding your lawn in the heat sounds like a good idea—but it’s not always the best move. Fertilizing during a heatwave can actually burn your grass if done improperly.
If your lawn is healthy and green, hold off on fertilizing until early fall
If you must fertilize, use a slow-release, low-nitrogen product in moderation
Water well after applying to avoid burning
5. Leave the Clippings
Mulching your grass clippings can give your lawn a natural boost of nutrients and help with moisture retention. As long as your clippings aren’t too long or clumpy, leaving them on the lawn is a simple, free way to protect your turf from the heat.
6. Know When to Step Back
If your lawn goes a little dormant and turns slightly brown during a dry spell, don’t panic. It’s a natural defense mechanism. As long as the grass is not completely dead and you’re still giving it occasional water, it will bounce back when cooler temps return.
Final Thoughts
Hot Connecticut summers can be rough on your lawn, but with the right care, you can still keep it green without draining your time—or your water bill.
At Kiss My Grass Property Maintenance LLC, we’ve helped plenty of lawns survive and thrive through summer heat. If you want a little backup this season, give us a shout. We’ll keep your grass cool, calm, and green.
