July in Houston brings intense heat, high humidity, and frequent rain showers. While your lawn might appear lush, these conditions can lead to overgrowth, fungal diseases, and an influx of mosquitoes. At Evergreen Outdoor Services, we’ve tackled these challenges firsthand. Here’s your practical survival guide to keep your lawn healthy and enjoyable during Houston’s notorious rainy summer.
Managing Rapid Lawn Growth
Houston’s rainy summer causes rapid lawn growth, especially in our favorite St. Augustine grass, often creating an untamed jungle overnight.
Quick Science:
Quick Science:Warm temperatures combined with frequent rains boost photosynthesis, accelerating grass growth and nutrient uptake.
Houston Rainy Summer Lawncare | Actionable Tips:
- Mow Regularly: Mow weekly, ensuring you never cut more than one-third of grass height at a time.
- Adjust Mower Height: Keep mower blades set at 3-4 inches, promoting root health and weed suppression.
- Monitor irrigation: Consider adding a rain gauge to your garden, this will help measure the mount of water is being provided to your lawn and garden. Too much moisture + constantly occurring = Fungus.
- Identify Low Areas In Your Lawn: Areas that are drastically lower can hold water, especially if you have compacted soil. This doesn’t only attract fungus to your lawn but also more mosquitos!
Preventing Lawn Fungus
Houston’s humidity and constant rainfall during the summer create ideal conditions for lawn fungi like Brown Patch and Gray Leaf Spot.
Quick Science:
Fungi thrive in wet, warm conditions, quickly damaging stressed or improperly maintained lawns.
Actionable Tips:
- Water Smartly: Water lawns early in the morning, allowing grass to dry quickly and reducing fungal risks.
- Aerate Your Lawn: Improve drainage and airflow by aerating compacted soils. Our core aeration service can help you get this done effectively.
- Fungicide Treatment: Apply fungicide promptly at early signs of fungal infection. We recommend using organic methods of control. Check out Texas A&M AgriLife’s Lawn Fungus Guide.
- Boost Soil Health: Incorporate quality compost and top-dress your lawn. This will encourage thicker, deeper grass roots which will improve grass health, appearance and standing water as topdressing naturally aerates the soil.
Mosquito Control
Summer rains leave standing water around your property, creating ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Quick Science:
Mosquito larvae hatch quickly in warm, stagnant water conditions prevalent during Houston’s rainy summers.
Actionable Tips:
- Eliminate Standing Water: Regularly empty containers, gutters, and water features.
- Maintain Landscaping: Keep lawns mowed and bushes pruned to reduce mosquito resting spots.
- Natural Mosquito Repellents: Plant mosquito-deterring plants like citronella, lavender, and marigolds around your property.
- Use Mosquito Dunks: Add mosquito dunks to ponds or water gardens to eliminate larvae safely – we recommend staying organic for our beneficial bug friends.
Need more targeted mosquito control? Explore our professional mosquito control service to reclaim your backyard.
FAQ: Houston Rainy Summer Lawncare
How frequently should I mow my lawn during Houston’s rainy summer?
Weekly mowing is ideal, adjusting frequency based on rainfall and growth rate.
What height is best for St. Augustine grass in summer?
Keep grass height between 3-4 inches to promote health and weed suppression.
How do I quickly spot lawn fungus?
Watch for discolored patches or slimy grass, especially in shaded or overly damp areas.
What natural methods repel mosquitoes effectively?
Citronella, lavender, marigolds, and eliminating standing water are highly effective.
Schedule Your Free Lawn Health Check
Summer lawn maintenance in Houston doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Evergreen Outdoor Services is ready to help! Schedule your complimentary Evergreen Outdoor lawn assessment today, and let our team provide personalized solutions to keep your lawn vibrant all summer.
For additional insights, check out our other helpful resources:
Let’s ensure your lawn thrives through Houston’s challenging rainy summer!
