Beat the Heat with Essential Summer Strategies for Reno Lawn Care
Summer temperatures in Reno exceeding 90°F and Nevada sun beating mercilessly, the fight to maintain a green, lush lawn is underway. The Reno high desert climate presents challenges unlike any other, and special lawn care methods must be adopted to keep your lawn well-maintained and healthy during these hot summer months.
Here at Tailored Lawn Care, we've helped Reno area residents survive these challenging conditions. This comprehensive summer lawn care guide will give you the information and knowledge you need to maintain a beautiful lawn despite Nevada's harsh summer climate.
Understanding Reno's Summer Climate Challenges
Reno's position in the high desert at 4,500 feet elevation presents a unique set of summer lawn care issues. With July average highs as high as 91°F, intense UV radiation, low humidity (often below 20%), and potential drought, your lawn is under intense stress during the summer.
The hot days, cool nights, and light rain fall (less than 1 inch from June to August) require your grass to work overtime to produce it. Understanding these conditions is the beginning of developing an effective summer lawn care regimen for your Reno lawn.
Important Summer Watering Methods for Reno Lawns
Deep, Infrequent Watering is the Key
Most critical in summer Reno lawn care is proper watering technique. Instead of several light waterings, your lawn needs occasional deep waterings. Water your lawn 2-3 times weekly, providing it with 1-1.5 inches of water per watering. This makes roots go deeper into the earth, so your grass is more resistant to droughts and can tap moisture more easily during Reno's dry weather. Shallow, frequent watering will make roots weak and shallow and unable to withstand Nevada's hot weather.
Best Times for Watering in Reno
Water between early morning hours (4:00-7:00 AM) when it is most cool and winds are lightest. At this time, it reduces water loss through evaporation and gives the grass a chance to absorb water before the sun becomes hot.
Skip watering during the hottest part of the day between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, when water may evaporate as much as 50% in Reno's arid climate. And during the evening, watering can also generate fungal diseases in cold nighttime temperatures.
Summer Mowing Techniques for Nevada Heat
Increase Your Mowing Height
Increase your mower blade to cut grass to 3-4 inches high. The tall grass shades the soil, stops water from evaporating, and protects roots from the harmful effects of UV radiation. That height also allows for enhanced photosynthesis, keeping grass healthier under stress.
Never remove more than one-third of the blade of grass in a single cutting, especially during summer heat stress.
Adjust Mowing Frequency
In Reno's hot summer months, grass growth will typically decline due to heat stress. Mow less frequently, every 7-10 days, rather than the normal weekly mowing schedule. This gives your lawn more time to recover between mows and prevents additional stress.
Keep Mower Blades Sharp
Keep razor-sharp mower blades during warm summer conditions. Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting cleanly, and the torn open wounds lose water and provide open avenues for disease. Sharpen blades at least twice during the summer season.
Fertilization Tips for Reno Summer Conditions
Lower Summer Fertilization
Avoid heavy fertilization during Reno's hottest months (July and August). Fertilizer encourages rapid growth, which increases water demands when your lawn is already stressed. If fertilization is necessary, use a light application of slow-release fertilizer in early June.
Focus on Potassium
If you must fertilize during summer, choose a more potassium-based (the last number in the N-P-K ratio) fertilizer. Potassium (K) enhances grass's heat tolerance and drought resistance characteristic of Reno weather.
Organic Options
Experiment with organic fertilizer like compost or organic lawn food, which release their nutrients slowly and contribute to soil structure. These compounds have less opportunity to burn grass when the weather gets hot and encourage soil to retain moisture.
Maintaining Your Lawn Against Heat Stress
Be Attuned to Signs of Heat Stress
Watch out for these signs of heat stress on your Reno lawn:
- Rolling or folding of grass blades to reduce surface area
- Blue-gray or purplish color to grass
- Tread marks left behind when walking on the lawn
- Dormant or brown areas
- Slow recovery from pedestrian traffic
Minimize Pedestrian Traffic
Restrict activity in your yard during the hottest time of day and consider installing stepping stones or pathways in high traffic areas. Stressed grass does not heal well from injury in Reno's hot, dry conditions.
Offer Temporary Shade
Temporary shade cloth for newly seeded or otherwise weakened sections during the peak summer months can assist new grass in getting established or protect struggling patches.
Brown Patch and Summer Diseases
Reno's hot days and cool nights can lead to conditions for fungal disease. Avoid poor air flow through not watering too much and maintaining grass at its correct height. If disease does happen, forego watering as frequently and procure a professional treatment remedy.
Weed Competition
Summer weeds fight grass for limited water. Hand-weed weeds during moist soils, and treat spots with the appropriate herbicides. A dense, healthy lawn is the ultimate weed invasion barrier.
Sprinkler Repair and Maintenance in Reno’s Summer
Routine System Checks
Check your sprinkler system weekly during summer for:
- Clogged or defective sprinkler heads
- Improper spray patterns
- Leaks or damaged lines
- Proper coverage of entire areas of the lawn
Wind and Heat Adjustment
Reno's afternoon winds may lessen sprinkler efficiency. Low-angle sprinkler heads or altered watering schedules may be worth considering to prevent wind drift.
Winterization Preparation
As summer reaches its peak, start planning ahead for fall sprinkler system winterization. Reno's sudden drops in temperature require proper system preparation to prevent freeze damage.
When to Call a Pro
Consider calling a professional in Reno when:
- Your lawn shows extreme heat stress despite proper care
- Sprinkler system problems persist or worsen
- Disease or pest problems spread rapidly
- You do not have the time for extensive summer maintenance
- Water bills rise drastically without improved lawn health
At Tailored Lawn Care, we’re aware of Reno's unique climate conditions and can provide tailored solutions for surviving summer on the lawn.
Thriving Through Reno's Summer Heat
Effectively possessing a beautiful lawn even in Reno's scorching summer requires understanding what the Nevada high desert environment specifically requires. Applying correct watering procedures, adjusting mowing practices, and monitoring for heat stress, your lawn can survive not just the hottest months but thrive through them. The key to success is consistent, informed care modified to Reno's environment.
Prepare your lawn to make it through the summer. Call on Tailored Lawn Care for expert summer lawn care services tailored to Reno’s demanding climate. Our professional staff is well-versed in the distinctive needs of Reno lawns and can assist in keeping your grass green and thriving throughout the entire summer.
Call us today for a free consultation and let us help your lawn survive the heat!
