August in Houston is no joke. With daily highs in the 90s and 100s, humidity that feels like soup, and little to no rain, your lawn is in survival mode, not glam mode.
At Greengate Turf, Pest, & Irrigation, we want to help your lawn stay alive during the hottest part of the year. While it might not look picture-perfect, it can recover beautifully in the fall with the right care now.
Let’s talk about watering smart, spotting heat stress on your lawn, and how to prevent brown spots in grass before things get worse.
🔥 What Heat Stress Looks Like on Your Lawn
When the temperature rises, grass comes under serious pressure. Heat stress can sneak up quickly in August, especially when paired with a lack of rainfall.
Signs your lawn is stressed by the heat:
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Grass turns bluish-gray or dull green
A healthy lawn should be vibrant. If the grass looks washed out or takes on a bluish cast, it’s thirsty and stressed. -
Footprints or mower lines stay visible
Walk across your lawn and see if your footprints remain. If they do, your grass is wilting and not bouncing back. -
Dry, brittle blades that curl or feel crunchy
The grass loses moisture, making blades feel like straw. This is a clear sign of dehydration. -
Patchy browning or thinning areas
These may appear randomly or in patterns that match your irrigation coverage—hint, hint. -
Hard, compacted soil that cracks or repels water
Heat bakes the soil, especially our heavy Houston clay, making it harder for water to get in where it’s needed.
Bottom line: If you see these signs, your lawn is in heat stress—and it needs the right kind of attention fast.
🟤 Why You’re Getting Brown Spots in Grass
Dry, brown patches are one of the most common summer complaints we hear—and they’re not always caused by drought alone.
Common causes of brown spots in grass in Houston:
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Uneven sprinkler coverage
Sprinklers may not be reaching all areas of the lawn, especially corners or edges. You may also have spray patterns blocked by landscape features or overgrown plants. Ensure your system has head-to-head coverage. -
Clogged or broken sprinkler heads
If a head is clogged, cracked, or not popping up fully, it can’t deliver water where it’s needed. -
Low water pressure in certain zones
Inconsistent water pressure across zones leads to some areas being under-watered while others get plenty. -
Watering at the wrong time
Watering in the heat of the day leads to rapid evaporation, while watering at night can promote fungus. Early morning is best.
Solution: Run a manual cycle and walk your property zone by zone. Watch for inconsistent spray, dry rings, or pooling water.
💧 Smart Watering Strategy for August
Watering correctly is the single most important thing you can do this month. And most people are doing it wrong—not because they don’t care, but because it’s not intuitive.
Here’s what works best in Houston’s August heat:
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Water deeply and infrequently
Shallow, daily watering only wets the surface and encourages weak roots. Instead, aim to water each zone for 30 to 40 minutes, twice a week. -
Water early in the morning
Set your system to run between 3–6 a.m.. This reduces water loss to evaporation and gives the lawn time to dry out before nightfall. -
Break watering into cycles for clay soil
Houston’s heavy clay soil doesn’t absorb water quickly. If you water for 30 minutes straight, a lot of that water runs off.
Try this instead:-
Water for 15–20 minutes
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Pause for 30–60 minutes
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Water again for another 15–20 minutes
This approach gives water time to soak in and reach the roots, not just run off into the street.
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Adjust your schedule based on sun exposure
Lawns with full afternoon sun may need more attention than shaded areas. You may need to fine-tune watering zone by zone.
🌿 Other Ways to Help Your Lawn Survive August
Watering is essential, but it’s not the only thing your lawn needs this month. The goal right now is to minimize stress and support recovery once cooler weather returns.
Here’s what else you can do:
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Raise your mowing height
Taller grass helps shade the soil, retain moisture, and protect the roots. Don’t mow too short—aim for 3.5 to 4 inches for St. Augustine. -
Keep mower blades sharp
Dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which increases water loss and stress. -
Leave grass clippings
Mulched clippings act as a natural moisture blanket and return nutrients to the soil. -
Don’t overdo weed pulling
Yanking weeds by hand or applying aggressive herbicides during heat stress can do more harm than good. Wait for cooler weather if possible. -
Watch for pests
Stressed lawns are more vulnerable to chinch bugs, armyworms, and other summer pests. If you see signs, let us know! We can treat quickly and safely.
🌱 Yes, We Fertilize in August—Here’s Why
Why our August fertilizer is safe and effective:
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We use organic-based fertilizers, especially in the heat of the summer
These feed the soil naturally and support microbial life, helping roots stay healthy through stress. -
No harsh synthetics that burn your lawn
Our summer-time products are gentle, slow-release, and heat-friendly. -
Improves long-term soil structure
Even when the grass is dormant, the soil is still active. Feeding it now sets your lawn up for better performance in the fall. -
Helps lawns recover faster after stress
When rains return and temperatures drop, your grass will bounce back faster with proper nutrition already in place.
🧠 Final Takeaways
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Your lawn doesn’t need to look perfect right now. Survival is the goal.
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Watch for signs of heat stress, like dull color, dry patches, and soil cracks.
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Check your sprinkler system. It might be to blame for brown spots in grass.
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Use deep, early-morning watering, broken into cycles for clay soil.
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Organic lawn care and smart mowing make a big difference.
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Greengate handles sprinkler service, repairs, and maintenance plans—we can fix the system while we treat the lawn.
Need Help? GreenGate Does It All
Whether you need a lawn care plan that works in the heat, help with dry, brown spots, or full-service sprinkler repairs and maintenance, Greengate Turf, Pest, & Irrigation is your one-stop solution.
📞 Call us today for a lawn and sprinkler inspection
🛠️ Book a sprinkler repair or irrigation service call
📅 Ask about our sprinkler maintenance plans to stay ahead of the heat
Let’s get your lawn through the toughest month of the year—and set it up to thrive this fall.