If your lawn went from lush and thriving in May to sparse and struggling a few weeks later, you probably aren’t imagining things. During the spring season, balmy temperatures, sunny skies, and steady rainfall (along with proper maintenance, of course) create the perfect conditions for your grass to flourish. But when summer arrives, it’s common for brown patches to emerge, blades to thin out, and weeds to take over.
Before you blame yourself for the fallout, a deteriorating yard is common in June. Even without changing up your lawn-care routine, weather changes can take a toll on your blades. “Longer days, rising temperatures, stronger UV exposure, and less consistent rainfall all put stress on your lawn,” says Misiti Matthews, co-founder of Harvest Gold Organics, an eco-conscious agricultural tech and organic gardening company in Phoenix, Arizona. “Instead of focusing on producing growth, the grass shifts its energy toward survival. That’s why many lawns begin to look thinner, lose their rich green color, and develop dry or brown areas as summer begins.” And because June leads to fading, thinning, and slower growth, it’s harder for grass to recover if you skip the occasional watering or accidentally mow your blades too short.
Luckily, though, you don’t have to let the elements determine your lawn’s fate. Here are the most common reasons why your lawn looks worse in June—and how you can help your blades bounce back.
Heightened Temperatures
One of the biggest causes of a faltering lawn in June? The hot weather. As summer approaches, many grasses (especially ones that thrive in the cooler months) experience heat stress, which triggers stalled growth, color loss, and brittle blades. “Heat causes the grass to slow its growth while moisture evaporates much faster from the soil,” Matthews explains. While you can’t control the weather, you can give your lawn a buffer to help it withstand the extreme temperatures: Water your grass deeply during dry spells, and mow your lawn at a higher setting to protect its roots.
Improper Mowing
Believe it or not, your mowing technique can make or break the look of your lawn. If you cut your grass too short (otherwise called scalping), you’ll remove too much of the blade, which will weaken your lawn’s ability to recover from summer stress. And if you use a dull blade, you’ll create tears across your grass, which can make it look worn out. To keep your grass healthy all summer long, Matthews suggests a simple fix: “Mow a little higher to shade the soil, and make sure mower blades stay sharp to prevent unnecessary damage to the grass.” Additionally, refrain from cutting more than one-third of the blades at a time.
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Neglected Watering
Since rain is more consistent in the spring, you don’t have to worry about watering your lawn as regularly. But when June comes around, rain is less frequent and temperatures rise, so your blades crave more hydration, yet water loss is more common. When your lawn doesn’t get enough moisture in June, it can wilt, discolor, or dry up. The solution? Rather than giving your grass a shallow sprinkling, Matthews recommends watering it deeply, particularly in the early morning, which will reduce evaporation.
Compacted Soil
When the weather heats up, your lawn gets a lot more foot traffic, whether it’s from pets, kids, visitors, lawn mowing, or all the above. This causes the soil to become compacted, which prevents water, nutrients, and oxygen from reaching the roots, according to Matthews. So, by June, your grass might look sparse, thin, or just overall unhealthy. If your soil feels hard or you notice that water pools on the surface, consider aerating your lawn—a process that creates small holes, so the roots can better access their resources.
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Rapidly Growing Weeds
Weeds often skyrocket in the summer. The month of June, in particular, creates favorable conditions for fast growers like crabgrass to spread quickly and extensively. To prevent your lawn from looking overgrown and uneven, pull weeds before they have a chance to set seed. You can also maintain a healthy lawn by mowing and watering properly, or you can always replace grass with turf.
Increased Pest Activity
“June is also when insect activity and fungal diseases begin to increase, especially if lawns are already under stress,” Matthews says. The presence of pests naturally leads to worse-looking lawns—think: yellowing, thinning out, or fading blades. Since some dead patches can look like they’ve been affected by a drought, inspect the affected patches carefully. If you find that pests are the problem, pinpoint the exact insect, so you can follow the right treatment plan.
More Fungal Diseases
The rise of heat and humidity in June also gives way to a rise in fungal diseases. Since fungal issues can look like discolored patches or thinning areas, you might mistaken them for improper watering. But if you suspect fungus is responsible for your lawn’s worsening appearance, skip watering late at night, avoid excessive fertilizing, and aerate your lawn if necessary. If the fungal infection persists, you might need a targeted fungicide.
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