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Trying to keep your lawn green during a summer heat wave sounds like a losing battle. You go on vacation for a week and return to a lawn that’s healthy and green. But then a few days of near-record-breaking heat and your lawn turns from green to gray.

If you live in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale or Peoria, you know that landscaping in Arizona comes with challenges that folks from cooler climates don’t have to deal with.

The good news is that having a green lawn in Arizona IS possible, and it all starts with understanding how to best combat Arizona’s relentless summer heat.

How to Keep Your Arizona Lawn Green During Summer Heat

Lawn care in Arizona is complicated by a climate of high temperatures and near-record-breaking heat waves, powerful sun exposure, dryness and the challenge of keeping grass cool and healthy. Lawns subjected to these conditions will quickly turn yellow, wilted or otherwise unhealthy if you’re not taking the right measures. The combination of heat and sun can lead to:

• Dry, patchy grass
• Wilted grass
• Inhibited growth
• Heat stress
• Increased water requirements
• Dry soil with little water penetration
• Problems with mowing

And yet, more water isn’t always the answer. The trick is to provide the right amount of water, without overdoing it, to give your grass a fighting chance against Arizona’s brutal summer heat.

What Kind of Grass Should I Plant in Arizona?

If you want to keep a green lawn in Arizona, you’re going to need to choose the right type of grass for the local climate. Warm-season grasses tend to be best in Arizona, as they can better withstand high temperatures and other extreme weather conditions. Some popular warm-season grasses suitable for Arizona landscaping include:

• Bermuda grass
• Hybrid Bermuda
• Other warm-season grasses suitable for the local climate

You’ll also need to pick a grass type and lawn care regimen based on your local conditions, including sun exposure and lawn traffic, and how much you’re willing to do to keep your lawn healthy.

A lawn getting full sun exposure is going to have very different requirements than a lawn shaded by large trees and/or surrounded by a pizzeria patio.

Water Deeply, Not Frequently

When the heat advisory is in effect for Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria or the rest of Arizona, it can be tempting to water your lawn excessively. But frequent shallow watering can actually encourage shallow root growth and weaken your lawn.

What most lawns need is deep watering on a regular basis. Doing so encourages deeper root growth and helps lawns get through hot seasons with less stress. Of course, each lawn is different. Your watering needs will be impacted by a number of factors, including:

• Type of grass
• Soil type
• Exposure
• Other environmental variables

A home in Scottsdale that gets more sun may have very different watering needs than a home in Tempe or Gilbert with a shaded lawn.

It’s also important to listen to your lawn. Your lawn care schedule shouldn’t be set in stone and should change depending on the conditions your lawn is exposed to.

Water Your Lawn At the Right Time of Day

It’s not just about how much you water your lawn. When you water your lawn should also be taken into consideration. Watering your lawn at the hottest time of day can lead to excessive evaporation, which means more water going into the air and less penetrating the soil.

Watering your lawn earlier in the day is typically best, as later-in-the-day watering can also lead to excessive moisture and lawn disease. For most Arizona lawns, this means waking up early to water your lawn. For many irrigation systems, this can simply mean adjusting the time setting.

Check Your Irrigation System

A surprising number of Arizona lawns have irrigation issues that cause dry, brown patches. The problem is rarely the heat or drought. Instead, it’s a faulty irrigation system that leads to dry patches of lawn that receive little or no water.

When the heat advisory is in effect, it’s crucial for all Arizona homeowners to check their irrigation systems to make sure they’re not the cause of dry, brown patches.

Some of the problems you may find include:

• Broken sprinkler heads
• Poor coverage
• Sprinklers hitting sidewalks, patios, etc.
• Dry patches of lawn
• Leaking irrigation lines
• Clogged nozzles
• Blocked sprinklers by branches, etc.

Oftentimes, a simple adjustment is all that’s needed to fix the problem. If you have a patch of lawn that’s always turning brown, the issue may not be the lawn itself, but rather the fact that it isn’t getting the same amount of water as the rest of your lawn.

Raise Your Mowing Height During the Hot Season

Mowing your grass too short during the hot season can do more harm than good. Keeping grass taller allows the soil to stay cooler and prevents it from baking in the Arizona sun. During hot seasons, it’s best to avoid mowing your grass as closely as you may during the cooler months.

Instead, keep your mower blades sharp and avoid taking too much length off with each pass. Dull mower blades are far more damaging than sharp ones and can leave your lawn looking uneven and unhealthy. Furthermore, mowing an already unhealthy lawn can put additional strain on the plant. Avoid fertilizing your lawn during the heat of summer.

A Stressed-Out Lawn May Need More Care

Your lawn is likely going to let you know when something is wrong. Signs that your lawn may be unhealthy or stressed out include:

• Dull, grayish grass
• Wilted grass
• Footprints that stay visible on the lawn
• Brittle, dry grass
• Grass that turns brown faster than the rest of your lawn

If you see signs that your lawn may be unhealthy, it’s best to investigate. Before jumping to conclusions or trying to diagnose the issue based on symptoms alone, double-check your irrigation system, check the soil and review other potential causes for concern. A brown patch caused by an irrigation problem requires a different treatment than one caused by insects, disease or other problems.

Improve Your Soil Quality

Soil is an often-overlooked component of lawn care. If you have a lawn with particularly poor-quality soil or one that resists water penetration, your lawn care needs are going to be different than they would be for another type of soil. Soil improvement can be an important part of any lawn care program, particularly if you have poor-quality soil that repels water.

The goal of any soil improvement should be to encourage the growth of healthy grass and help your lawn care regimen be as effective as possible. It’s also a good idea not to overlook the importance of shade landscaping. Not all areas of your property are going to be ideally suited for grass. Some areas will see far more sun exposure than others, while others are going to be difficult to irrigate or maintain.

Arizona landscaping experts can help you find a balanced solution that takes sun exposure and lawn care needs into account. Sometimes, it’s better to limit turf coverage in areas of intense sun exposure or difficult access and use other types of landscaping to enhance your property.

Prepare Your Lawn Before Summer

One of the best ways to combat the effects of extreme summer heat is to prepare your lawn before the heat wave arrives. A healthy, well-taken-care-of lawn is better able to withstand the extreme conditions of an Arizona summer.

Before summer hits, it’s crucial to take stock of your lawn care needs. This includes inspecting and maintaining your irrigation system, establishing an appropriate irrigation schedule, mowing your lawn and making other seasonal adjustments.

Waiting until your lawn is already brown and dead is rarely the best option. It’s far better to give your lawn the care it needs to get through the summer, so it can look its best when the heat wave eases up.

Hiring a Professional Lawn Care Company

Some homeowners like to take care of their lawns themselves, while others would rather spend their weekends not worrying about lawn care. A professional landscaping company can help with everything from irrigation system maintenance to seasonal cleanup, lawn mowing and more.

Professional lawn care companies can be a lifesaver if you’re dealing with recurring lawn issues. If you’ve tried adjusting your irrigation schedule and your lawn keeps developing brown patches, a professional can help identify the cause and develop a solution.

Frequently Asked Questions About Keeping an Arizona Lawn Green

How Often Should I Water My Lawn During the Summer?

It depends on a variety of factors, including the type of grass, the local climate and other variables. Instead of focusing on a strict watering schedule, you should pay close attention to your lawn and establish a watering schedule based on the needs of your lawn.

What Is the Best Time to Water Your Grass?

The best time to water your grass is in the early morning. Avoid watering your lawn during the hottest time of day if at all possible.

Why Is My Arizona Lawn Turning Brown Even Though I’m Watering It?

There are a number of reasons why your Arizona lawn may be turning brown even though you’re watering it, including uneven irrigation, lawn disease, insects, poor soil quality, etc. The first place to start investigating is your irrigation system.

Should I Cut My Grass Short in the Summer?

You should avoid cutting your grass too short during the summer. Keeping your grass at an appropriate height will help reduce moisture loss and help keep your lawn cooler during the hot season.

Can I Keep Bermuda Grass Green In the Summer?

Bermuda grass is a warm-season grass that can be grown throughout Arizona. With proper care, Bermuda grass lawns can stay green and healthy year-round.

Is It Better To Water My Lawn Everyday In the Heat?

It’s not always better to water your lawn every day in the heat of summer. Your lawn care needs are going to be dictated by a number of factors, including grass type, soil conditions and other variables.

The Bottom Line: Smart Lawn Care Beats Panic Watering

When the mercury rises to record-breaking heights, your lawn needs to be taken care of. But more water isn’t always the answer. Instead, what your lawn needs is smart lawn care that puts the focus on irrigation, mowing and other techniques that will help it get through the heat.