The summer is waning, but your backyard fun doesn't have to. As a slight chill enters the air, you can tell fall is coming... but summer fun isn't over yet.

Changing temperatures will change the way you care for your lawn.

It happens every year...

In the Spring, your grass grows so quickly you feel like you need to cut it twice a week. Then, as summer lenghtens, it seems like your grass has decided to stop growing. This is normal, due to the change it temperatures as well as the amount of rain water that is provided to help nourish your lawn in the Spring vs. late summer.

Although it does reduce the work required, a slow-growing lawn is not always cause for sign of relief. It could mean that the lawn is starving for nutrients or water, either of which are easily applied using a proper watering schedule and fertilize application.

And then there's the sudden appearance of brown spots, which always begs the question... what happened? These brown blotches that appear in mid-to-late summer can be caused by several factors, including:

• Grubs - Grubs can quickly destroy a lawn's root system, causing brown spots to appear as the upper blades of grass die off. Read our article providing tips on how to diagnose a Grub problem.
• Dehydration - It may seem obvious, but grass needs water. A proper watering cycle will help promote healthy grass. But do not overwater, and pay attention to when you are watering to avoid causing more harm.
• Pet Urine - Dog urine, particularly female dogs, can burn the grass if your dog insits on visiting the same spots in your lawn. You can usually spot the tell-tale signs if there are "spots" of VERY green grass that then turns to brown.
• Thatch and soil compaction - if your lawn's thatch has grown too big or extra pressure has caused unusual soil compaction, your grass may have a difficult time establishing a strong enough root system to survive summer's occassional droughts.

Although going from a weekly to 10-day mowing cycle is not unusual in the later part of the summer, if your lawn does not require mowing for 2 weeks or longer, it can be a sign that your lawn is not growing in a healthy manner.

If this is the case, consult a lawn care professional who can provide tips to help bring your lawn back to its Spring-like glory.