Don’t Let Misinformation Damage Your Lawn
Ontario’s summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the hottest in recent memory. As temperatures rise, so do the number of lawn care myths circulating among homeowners. Unfortunately, some of these tips do more harm than good.
Garafraxa Turf helps homeowners across Ontario understand what lawns truly need during extreme weather. Proper care starts with separating facts from fiction—and protecting your lawn’s health all season long.
Myth #1: More Water = Healthier Lawn
It’s easy to assume that more watering will keep your lawn green in hot weather. But overwatering can cause root rot, attract pests, and waste water.
Reality: Lawns need deep, infrequent watering—ideally once or twice a week, early in the morning. This encourages deeper roots and better drought resistance. Surface watering leads to shallow roots that can’t withstand summer heat.
Myth #2: Cutting Grass Short Helps It Survive Heat
Some homeowners believe that mowing the lawn shorter will reduce how often they need to cut it during summer.
Reality: Cutting grass too short removes essential leaf surface, reducing photosynthesis and increasing sun damage. In Ontario’s heat, set your mower height to at least 3 inches to provide shade and retain soil moisture.
Myth #3: Fertilizer Should Be Applied in Peak Heat
Fertilizer is often marketed as a fix-all for patchy grass, but applying it during a heatwave can stress your lawn.
Reality: Fertilizer is best applied in spring or early fall. In mid-summer, it can burn the grass or stimulate growth your lawn can’t sustain in extreme heat. Focus on soil health and watering consistency instead.
Myth #4: Brown Grass Means It’s Dead
When grass turns brown in July or August, homeowners often worry that it’s permanently damaged.
Reality: Grass naturally goes dormant in extreme heat to conserve energy. This doesn’t mean it’s dead. If the crown (base) of the grass is still firm and white, your lawn is alive and will green up when conditions improve.
Myth #5: All Grass Types Handle Heat the Same
Many people assume that any grass blend will thrive equally through summer.
Reality: Some grass varieties, like Kentucky Bluegrass, are more prone to heat stress. Others, such as Tall Fescue, have deeper roots and better tolerance. Garafraxa Turf offers guidance on choosing the right sod for your region and soil conditions.
Smart Lawn Practices for Ontario Summers
– Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation – Leave grass clippings to insulate soil – Sharpen mower blades to avoid grass tearing – Avoid walking or playing on dormant lawns – Aerate in spring or fall to strengthen root systems
These practices help your lawn recover faster and stay healthy longer.
Get a summer lawn care check-up
Garafraxa Turf offers tailored advice and services to help your lawn thrive during Ontario’s extreme summer conditions. Get a summer lawn care check-up and learn what your grass really needs this season.