Late Summer Lawn Care: How to Prevent Weeds and Brown Patches

As summer winds down in the Western Chicago area, homeowners often notice their once-green lawns turning patchy, dry, or overtaken by weeds. This late-summer stress is totally normal—but it doesn’t have to be permanent. With a few timely strategies, you can restore your lawn’s health and keep it looking great heading into fall.

At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we help clients protect their landscapes through every season. Here are our top tips to prevent weeds and brown patches in late summer—and set your lawn up for success.

☀️ Why Late Summer Is Tough on Lawns

From late July through August, your grass is under pressure. It’s hot, rainfall is inconsistent, and frequent foot traffic can compact the soil. These stressors weaken the turf, creating the perfect opening for weeds and diseases.

Common problems we see this time of year:

• Thinning or browning grass

• Crabgrass and dandelions taking over

• Bare spots in high-traffic areas

• Dry, compacted soil

Addressing these issues now can help you avoid a bigger lawn renovation project later.

🌱 Tip #1: Water Smart, Not Often

Many homeowners overwater or water at the wrong time. The key is deep, infrequent watering—about 1 to 1.5 inches per week, ideally in one or two sessions.

Pro Tips:

• Water early in the morning (before 9 AM) to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal growth.

• Avoid shallow watering—it encourages weak root growth.

• Use a rain gauge or empty tuna can to measure how much water your lawn is really getting.

🧴 Tip #2: Use a Targeted Weed Control Strategy

By late summer, weeds are fully grown and may even be going to seed. Hand-pulling is effective for isolated weeds, but for widespread problems, you’ll need a selective herbicide or professional spot treatment.

What to know:

• Avoid harsh chemical treatments during hot spells—they can damage your grass.

• Pre-emergents in spring help, but post-emergent spot spraying is best now.

• Consider organic weed control options if you have kids or pets.

If you’re not sure which weeds are invading your lawn, Skyline can assess the problem and recommend safe, effective solutions.

🌾 Tip #3: Mow High and Often

Cutting your grass too short in late summer can actually cause more damage than you think.

Best practice:

• Keep your mower blades set to 3 to 3.5 inches.

• Never cut more than 1/3 of the blade at a time.

• Mow regularly to avoid shocking the lawn.

Taller grass shades the soil, which helps retain moisture and prevents weed seeds from germinating.

🛠️ Tip #4: Aerate and Overseed in Late August or Early Fall

If your lawn is full of brown patches, consider core aeration followed by overseeding. Aeration helps relieve soil compaction and allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach the roots.

Why now?

• Late summer to early fall is the best time for cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue) to recover.

• The soil is warm, but the nights are cooler—perfect for new seed germination.

We recommend having this done by professionals to ensure the timing, seed mix, and method are right for your property.

🍂 Tip #5: Start Prepping for Fall Fertilization

You don’t want to fertilize heavily in the heat of summer—but it’s a good time to start planning for fall feeding.

• A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early fall helps rebuild root strength.

• Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers right now—they can stress your lawn during hot weather.

At Skyline, we create custom lawn care schedules based on your soil type and turf condition.

🌟 Keep Your Lawn Looking Its Best

Late summer doesn’t have to be the season of lawn frustration. With just a few smart practices, you can fight off weeds, prevent brown spots, and help your lawn bounce back strong.

At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we offer seasonal lawn care services that take the guesswork out of yard maintenance. Whether you need help with weed control, aeration, or a full lawn recovery plan—we’ve got you covered.