Summer presents unique challenges for turf management across the United States, as lawn care professionals face a multitude of obstacles such as high temperatures, drought conditions, and pest pressures.

To assist contractors through this demanding season, SiteOne® Landscape Supply offers regionally tailored product solutions and agronomic assistance designed to help turf not only survive but also recover from stressful growing conditions. LESCO® products are industry-recognized for their performance and reliability, aligning with best practices in integrated pest management (IPM) to ensure effective and sustainable turf care.

Stress affects turf differently based on its type and location, but some symptoms are nearly universal. These include thinning coverage, yellowing blades, dry patches, and areas that decline altogether. Turf that is nutrient-deficient or has shallow roots is particularly susceptible, and recovery can take time. Proper planning, considering factors like region, turf type, and timing, is essential. The goal should not be to rescue turf once it is already failing; instead, the focus should be on building resilience before stress peaks. By maintaining stability during challenging periods and creating conditions for recovery after restrictions are lifted, we can enable healthier turf, together.

Let’s examine each region in more detail.

Northeast: Managing Cool-Season Turf Under Summer Stress

In the Northeast, where USDA zones 5 to 7 are common, contractors typically work with cool-season turfgrasses like Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue. These varieties thrive in spring and fall, but they often struggle during the summer. Common issues in this region include brown patch and dollar spot, especially in shaded or poorly drained areas where moisture persists and airflow is limited. Even when disease pressure is managed, summer dormancy can lead to the turf appearing thin due to slowed growth.

To help suppress brown patch and other summer diseases before they become problematic, you can use LESCO Eagle® fungicide. Following a consistent treatment schedule—typically every 14 to 21 days during high-risk periods—can help keep the turf healthy throughout the season. Additionally, LESCO 24-0-11 with Iron can provide essential nutrients to maintain color and vitality without overstimulating shoot growth, making it a gentle approach to preserving turf health during the demanding summer months.

Another challenge in the Northeast is what happens below the surface. Heavy summer rain can compact the soil, limit oxygen availability, and cause water to pool at the surface. Increasingly, contractors are using soil surfactants to help water move more efficiently through the soil profile. This simple adjustment allows each irrigation cycle and rainfall to work harder for the turf.

Southeast: Overcoming Fertilizer Restrictions for Healthy Turf

In Florida, managing turfgrass is challenging due to summer blackout regulations that prohibit applications of nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilizers. These rules aim to reduce nutrient runoff during the rainy season, which can lead to harmful algae blooms that damage aquatic ecosystems. While these regulations are essential for protecting water quality, they pose significant challenges for lawn care contractors, who must find effective strategies to maintain healthy turf.

During the summer, without fertilizer, turfgrass experiences stress. Cool-season grasses may go dormant, while warm-season grasses such as Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass face unique challenges from humidity and pests and are at risk of diseases like brown patch and pythium blight. 

To help manage these challenges, many professionals use LESCO Moisture Manager, which enhances water retention in the root zone and is most commonly applied in spring and fall, before the region’s frequent summer rains begin. During blackout months, LESCO CarbonPro-G remains a key soil amendment, while LESCO CarbonPro-L offers a liquid alternative often applied after aeration. Contractors in Florida also rely on LESCO’s Spar-TECH BioActivator and Spar-TECH Bio Iron Plus to enhance nutrient availability and turf color without violating fertilizer restrictions.

Since most insecticides are not restricted, contractors can use products like LESCO CrossCheck for season-long protection against pests such as chinch bugs, ants, and sod webworms. This combination of moisture management, soil support, and pest control allows for a flexible strategy that keeps turf healthy while adhering to regulations.

Midwest: Balancing Drought Stress and Root Zone Recovery

The Midwest experiences weather extremes. Early summer rains can lead to prolonged dry spells, causing turf that appears lush in May to become stressed by July. In USDA zones 4 to 6, cool-season grasses such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass are common. However, without consistent irrigation or deeper root systems, these grasses are highly susceptible to drought stress and the emergence of patch diseases.

In this region, soil structure is crucial. One of the most effective ways to support turf during the summer is through mid-season aeration, ideally combined with a product like LESCO CarbonPro-L. Unlike granular fertilizers, CarbonPro-L is a liquid formulation designed for topical application after aeration. It enhances cation exchange capacity and boosts beneficial microbial activity, helping to improve soil porosity and permeability.

Slow-release fertilizers are also necessary. LESCO PolyPlus-Opti, a polymer-coated urea, gradually releases nutrients without causing sudden spikes in shoot growth or risking burn, making it an excellent choice for summer application. When applied before peak heat, it ensures the turf receives steady nutrition while minimizing nutrient leaching.

As in other regions, disease control in the Midwest relies on proactive measures. Contractors who adhere to a preventative fungicide plan using products like LESCO Eagle typically experience fewer outbreaks and better recovery.

Southwest: Managing Aridity and Salt Buildup

Summer turf care in the Southwest is marked by the scarcity of water, organic matter, and often patience. Contractors managing Bermudagrass and Buffalograss in USDA zones 8 to 10 continually contend with challenges from irrigation limitations and saline soils. When temperatures soar above 100°F, even drought-tolerant grasses can experience localized dry spots, thinning turf, and nutrient lockout due to salt buildup.

LESCO Moisture Manager plays a crucial role in this scenario. When applied early and reapplied as needed, it helps reduce evapotranspiration and maximizes the effectiveness of each watering cycle. In areas where salinity levels have increased, gypsum-based soil conditioners can displace sodium, along with improving the soil's porosity and permeability, allowing enhanced water movement.

To keep the grass green without over-fertilizing, blends containing LESCO 21-0-0 with ammonium sulfate is a commonly used option. The sulfur in the formulation helps acidify alkaline soils, increasing the availability of nutrients to be used by the plant.

Summer also brings increased weed pressure, especially in dry, sparse areas of grass. Implementing a pre-emergent program that incorporates LESCO Dimension can effectively prevent annual grassy weeds, like crabgrass, from taking root.

West Coast: Balancing Humidity, Fungal Pressure, and Conservation

Although often perceived as dry, many areas of the West Coast, such as coastal California and the Pacific Northwest, experience high humidity and fog, which contribute to turf diseases throughout much of the year. Contractors in zones 7 to 10 frequently work with tall fescue, fine fescue, and hybrid Bermudagrass. These grasses can struggle with fungal issues like anthracnose, leaf spot, and poor color retention when heat and humidity combine.

Targeted fungicide applications play a crucial role in integrated pest management (IPM) in this region. Products like LESCO Eagle and other site-specific fungicides can help prevent foliar diseases before they take hold, particularly when applied at the first signs of consistent nighttime humidity.

Water usage is strictly regulated across much of the West Coast. In some cities, irrigation is limited to just one or two days a week. This makes LESCO Moisture Manager especially valuable, as it not only improves water retention but also helps keep turf healthy under strict restrictions.

Nutritional strategies must also be carefully planned. For instance, LESCO 15-0-15 provides a balanced ratio of potassium and nitrogen without phosphorus, which supports turf color maintenance and stress management without causing excessive growth or regulatory issues.

Prevail Against Summer Stress with These Proven Turf Management Strategies

Regional conditions influence most turf decisions, but specific adjustments can be applied universally during the toughest parts of the season. These modifications help maintain turf resilience in the face of heat, disease pressure, and product restrictions.

• Raise the mowing height. Keeping turf taller in summer shades the crown, helps retain moisture and reduces overall stress.
   
• Keep the mower blade sharp. Sharp mower blades help create clean cuts that heal faster, reducing stress on the turf and lowering the risk of disease entry through torn or frayed leaf tips.
   
• Water deep, not often. Deep, infrequent watering encourages stronger roots and prevents thatch and surface compaction.
   
• Use soil testing. A clear picture of pH, nutrient levels, and organic matter makes it easier to dial in what the turf needs and when.
   
• Water in the early morning. This gives turf time to absorb moisture before the heat picks up and reduces the risk of disease compared to evening watering.

SiteOne experts can assist in interpreting soil test results and recommend a comprehensive program for the entire season using products that comply with local regulations. LESCO’s Soil Testing Kit makes it easy to get accurate data on pH, nutrient levels and organic matter, so you can fine-tune your turf program from the ground up.

By creating a seasonal plan that spans from spring to fall, you can gain better control over turf performance, even in unpredictable conditions. For assistance with product selection or advice on developing a summer plan, visit your nearest SiteOne today.