Experts Outline Six Common Summer Lawn Care Mistakes to Avoid in Israel

Maintaining a green and healthy lawn during Israel's intense summer heat is challenging due to extreme temperatures, strong sunlight, and prolonged dry spells that cause grass to dry out and weaken. Gardening experts warn that some common lawn care practices during heatwaves can actually stress the grass further rather than help it recover.

One major mistake is applying herbicides during heatwaves. While weeds spoil the lawn's appearance, spraying chemicals when the grass is already stressed by heat and drought can damage leaves and slow recovery. Experts recommend waiting for cooler days when the grass can better tolerate treatment and herbicides are more effective.

Reseeding bare or thin patches in the middle of a heatwave is also discouraged. New grass seeds require consistent moisture and moderate temperatures to germinate, conditions hard to maintain during hot spells. It is better to wait until late summer or early autumn when the soil remains warm but the air cools.

Applying excessive fertilizer in summer is another common error. Over-fertilizing can burn the grass and promote diseases, especially for cool-season grass types that need less feeding in heat. Fertilization should follow grass type and manufacturer guidelines, with moderate, slow-release doses preferred.

Physical stress from frequent foot traffic can compact soil and damage roots, worsening lawn thinning and bare spots. Reducing intense activity on the lawn during hot days helps grass recover.

Mowing during the hottest hours adds stress and can cause yellowing and drying. Experts advise mowing in late morning after dew dries or late afternoon when sunlight is weaker, leaving grass blades slightly longer to shade soil and reduce water loss. Cutting more than one-third of blade height at once should be avoided.

Finally, watering early in the morning between 5:00 and 10:00 is optimal to minimize evaporation and allow soil absorption before heat intensifies. Watering in the evening leaves wet leaves overnight, encouraging fungal diseases, while midday watering wastes water through evaporation.

Overall, the key to summer lawn care in Israel is reducing stress by watering at the right time, mowing gently, avoiding excessive fertilizers and herbicides, and allowing the grass time to recover during extreme heat.