Introduction

South Florida summers are intense. From June through September, Broward County and Miami-Dade County experience heat indexes regularly exceeding 100°F, daily afternoon thunderstorms, and humidity levels that make conditions challenging for both people and lawns. Proper lawn care during this period is critical — and different from what’s needed in any other season. Here is HG Landscaping’s guide to keeping your South Florida lawn healthy and green through the summer months.
1. Mow at the Right Height — and Don’t Mow Too Short
One of the most common summer lawn mistakes in South Florida is mowing grass too short. During peak heat, taller grass blades shade the soil, reducing evaporation and keeping roots cooler. For St. Augustine grass — by far the most common lawn type in Broward County — maintain a mowing height of 3.5 to 4 inches in summer. Scalping your lawn in summer heat is a recipe for stress, disease, and die-back.
2. Water Deeply and Less Frequently
South Florida's summer afternoon rains often provide enough moisture to supplement irrigation — sometimes more than enough. Overwatering in summer is a common cause of fungal disease in South Florida lawns. Adjust your irrigation controller at the start of summer to reduce run frequency, and make sure your system includes a working rain sensor that shuts off automatically after rainfall. When you do irrigate, water deeply and infrequently rather than shallowly and often. Deep watering encourages deeper root growth that makes grass more drought-resistant during dry spells.
3. Watch for Fungal Disease
South Florida’s combination of heat and humidity creates ideal conditions for lawn fungal diseases including Brown Patch, Take-All Root Rot, and Gray Leaf Spot. Signs of fungal problems include circular brown patches, yellowing, or thinning in your lawn. If you notice these symptoms, act quickly — fungal diseases can spread rapidly in summer conditions. HG Landscaping can diagnose lawn diseases and apply targeted treatments to stop the spread.

4. Fertilize Strategically
Summer is actually one of the best times to fertilize South Florida lawns — the warm temperatures and rainfall accelerate nutrient uptake. Apply a slow-release fertilizer with an appropriate nitrogen level in June and again in August for most South Florida grass types. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn grass and encourage excessive top growth that stresses the lawn.
5. Control Weeds Before They Establish
Summer's warmth and moisture are also ideal conditions for weed germination. Apply pre- emergent herbicide treatments in late spring to reduce summer weed pressure, and address any emerging weeds with targeted post-emergent applications before they go to seed.
6. Leave Lawn Care to the Professionals
South Florida’s summer lawn care demands are significant — and professional lawn maintenance services from HG Landscaping take the work and worry entirely off your plate. Our crews manage mowing heights, irrigation scheduling, fertilization timing, disease monitoring, and weed control on a schedule that keeps your Broward County or Miami-Dade County lawn performing at its best all summer long.