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How To Protect and Restore your Turfgrass from Summer Stress

August 1, 2022

How To Protect and Restore your Turfgrass from Summer Stress

August 1, 2022
Introduction

When summer temperatures rise and drought conditions set in, turf quality can suffer, even in healthy turf. Turf that was green and lush during the spring can be at risk for turning brown and going dormant during the summer months. This can lead to insect and weed infestations as well as other diseases that can result in additional turf damage. Being aware of these abiotic stresses can help lawn care operators, turf managers, and homeowners take steps to mitigate the damage from these stressors.

What is Summer Stress?

Comparison of wilt stress after 3 days of high heat and drought conditions.

Summer stress is primarily driven by a combination of two abiotic stress factors: heat stress and drought stress. Both stress factors create a decline in the overall quality of the plant’s health. Summer stress is more common with cool season turfgrasses (Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue, and tall fescue). However, warm-season turfgrasses as well as other drought-tolerant turf species are also susceptible to injury, especially if the turf is located on southern slopes, in shallow / compacted soils, or in soils deficient in water.

 

Summer stress can often be a trigger that causes turf to enter dormancy. While dormancy isn’t necessarily bad, it isn’t desirable, especially when healthy turf is critical for athletic fields and other recreational activities.  While in dormancy, turf is also more susceptible to weeds, pests (such as insect infestations), and various diseases. "A combination of mechanical stress, heat stress, and heavy rain can also push turf over the edge, possibly culminating in damage ranging from thin turf to rapid decline,” writes Elliot Dowling and Blake Meentemeyer of USGA. Allowing your turf to enter dormancy is contingent on your lawn’s ability to develop deep, healthy roots during periods of active growth. Without a well-developed root system, your turf may end up dying during dormancy.

Drought vs. Heat Stress:

Heat Stress

When temperatures exceed 60-75°F (the ideal range for cool-season turfgrasses) turf metabolic rate and health begin to decline.  Turf may become susceptible to tire track burn (also known as heat tracking) leading to the creation brown spots in specific areas. After some time, turf grass may enter dormancy to conserve energy. When cool-season turf enters dormancy during heat stress, it consumes less water and can stay in this state for up to 4 weeks before the risk of tissue death becomes problematic.  Dormant turf is not dead, although it can be hard to tell the difference once dormancy has taken full effect. When dormant, turf can turn brown. It will come out of dormancy and green up with regular watering once temperatures begin to drop.

(Left) Tire track burns left on turf experiencing heat stress.

(Right) Cool-season turf has entered dormancy while a patch of warm-season turf stays green.

High air temperature is not the only factor that contributes to heat stress. Heightened soil temperatures can also be detrimental to turf health. "In a controlled study at Rutgers University, the researchers exposed creeping bentgrass plants to increasing soil temperatures while holding the air temperature constant at 68 °F. Above 70 °F, they observed a decline in root mass, length, and activity, which continued to decline with increasing soil temperature" writes Dr. T. K. Danneberger and Dr. J. R. Street & P. J. Sherratt. When soil temperatures exceed a daily average of 70°F, cool-season turf root mass can be negatively impacted by more than 50%. Cool-season and warm-season turfgrasses perform best at specific temperatures. The key is making sure the soil moisture is adequate. Without moisture in the soil, turf risks drought stress and plant death.

Drought Stress

Drought stress is another major problem for turfgrass varieties.  Although warm-season grasses can withstand the heat of summer in most areas when compared to cool-season grasses, both are subject to drought stress and risk going dormant without water. Turf will begin to show signs of drought stress when the amount of water lost in transpiration is greater than the amount of water available. Drought stress is most noticeable on slopes as well as turf that is established in shallow or poor soil. The quality of the soil is key to the quality of the turf.

 

Lack of water (rainfall or irrigation) can lead to a decrease in growth due to a decrease in photosynthesis and plant respiration and an increase in plant temperature. Put together with the already high summer temperatures, turf that undergoes drought stress is at risk of death.  Knowing how to spot the beginning stages of drought stress is important to keep your turf healthy.

A loss in elasticity in the plant walls of turf during drought will result in footprints lasting several minutes to hours on turf before bouncing back up.

Symptoms of drought stress can vary depending on the turfgrass species and the severity of water limitation. Some turf goes through discoloration during the initial signs of drought stress. An example would be Kentucky bluegrass going to a deeper blue color. Another symptom is the leaf blades of most turfgrasses folding lengthwise, giving the appearance of thinner turf.  As turf becomes dehydrated, the plant walls begin to lose elasticity, which results in "foot printing."  Foot printing is when footprints on turf last several minutes to hours before bouncing back up. Healthy turf will spring back up without resistance. You can also check for moisture by pushing a screwdriver into the soil. If any resistance is given, the soil most likely requires additional water.

Prevention

Summer stress can cause your turf to change from green to brown in a matter of days or weeks. Having a deep, healthy root system is key to ensuring much of the moisture in the soil is being taken up with maximum absorption. Biological products such as AMP-XC™ can help your turf grow stronger and deeper roots while improving the quality of the soil. AMP-XC™ is a rich source of proteins, amino acids, organic acids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fulvic acids and natural bacteria that results in optimal plant performance, improved plant health, strengthens turf against abiotic and biotic stresses (including heat and drought) and triggers the development of deep root growth. 

 

It is also important to reduce soil compaction to promote healthy root development during the spring. Aerating or adding organic material to the soil like humic can help soften the soil. This allows for an increase in moisture storage and nutrient uptake. Creating a fertilization plan with metered nutrition and soil enrichment products will increase turf's ability to tolerate various summer stresses.  Soil amendments such as Hi-Calcium Lime or Gypsum can also be used to improve soil health, create a neutral soil pH and developing an ideal environment for root growth.

 

Other tips to reduce turf stress include raising your mower height at the beginning of summer. This allows turf to provide more shade to the soil, thus reducing evaporation and conserving moisture. Don’t forget to properly irrigate. Assure that water is being evenly distributed and that there are no areas of poor soil drainage. In addition, increasing the use (percent in the bag) of slow or controlled-release fertilizer technology like XCU™ or TTRU™ prior to summer will provide reliable and extended nutrition, feeding your during times of stress.

Recovery

If your lawn is already experiencing heat stress, make sure your soil is adequately watered.  Keep up with the best watering practices for your turf species and location to reduce the risk of disease and other issues.  If your lawn has already gone dormant, breaking dormancy may drain the reserves within the turf, and if summer stress conditions continue, the plant may not fully recover. It is important to water as efficiently as possible to promote dense, healthy turf. During a drought, watering deeply but infrequently will help your turf recover.

 

Keeping note of the problem areas within your turf is also key. Be sure to take note of any pest issues as well as weeds. Once turf has woken from summer dormancy, it is important to apply a post-emergent herbicide to control any weeds that may have appeared when the turf was dormant. Turf that experienced damage or death from summer stress should be reseeded or sodded during the fall.

In Summary

Prevention is key! Identify the issues your turf typically faces in summer and make sure you prepare your turf in spring. Apply fertilizers with extended nutrition to feed your turf in times of stress. Include biologicals and soil amendments in your turf management program to strengthen the roots and optimize nutrient and moisture uptake. Irrigate or efficiently water to avoid dormancy or damage. 


For professional fertilizers, soil amendments or biologicals like AMP-XC , humic or sea kelp products, visit Turf Care Supply’s online Product Catalog. 



References:
Photos:

Turf Care Supply - TurfReport Blog

April 18, 2025
Turf Care Supply, LLC, a portfolio company of Platte River Equity, has officially acquired Beaty Fertilizer, the industry respected Tennessee-based manufacturer and blender of custom granular and liquid fertilizers, as well as combination products. This strategic move expands Turf Care’s manufacturing footprint, adds new product capabilities, and enhances overall production capacity. “The partnership with Beaty Fertilizer marks a major milestone in our journey and an important step forward in our mission to grow, innovate and lead in our industry,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “This acquisition is more than just expansion; it’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen our product offerings, broaden our market reach and provide greater value to our customers. By welcoming Beaty into the Turf Care family, we are reinforcing our commitment to excellence and positioning ourselves for an even brighter future.” “We are excited about this next step in the Beaty Fertilizer story. For almost 50 years, our family and our employees have worked hard to serve customers and communities with pride and heart,” said John Beaty, President of Beaty. “Now, we are embracing an opportunity for growth with Turf Care. With our combined know-how and resources, we’ll keep building on what we’ve worked so hard to create and bring even more value to our customers, employees and partners. We truly believe this partnership will keep the Beaty legacy going strong while opening up new doors for growth and innovation.” Tarun Kanthety, Vice President at Platte River, added, “We believe the acquisition of Beaty Fertilizer represents a strategic step in expanding Turf Care’s footprint and product breadth... as it scales and enhances its value proposition to customers.”
April 18, 2025
Root out Grubs, Before they Attack Yours! White grubs, the immature stage of several scarab beetles—including Japanese beetles, masked chafers, May and June beetles, and green June beetles—are a major threat to turfgrass across the Southeast. These beetles follow a complete metamorphosis (egg, grub, pupa, adult), with most species completing their cycle in one year. Eggs are laid in early summer, grubs hatch within two weeks, and begin feeding on turfgrass roots through the late summer and fall. May and June beetles differ slightly, with a two- to three-year life cycle and prolonged feeding as third-instar grubs. Grubs damage turf by severing roots, causing grass to yellow, wilt, or lift easily from the soil. Feeding is typically concentrated in patches and worsens during hot, dry weather. Wildlife digging for grubs can create further turf destruction. Healthy turf may tolerate 5–10 grubs per square foot, but damage becomes evident as populations rise or turf is under stress. Early detection and timing are essential. Scouting begins in late June, shortly after adult beetle activity peaks. Monitoring plants favored by beetles can signal egg-laying is underway. Treatment is most effective when small grubs are active—typically from mid-July through early August. For professional turfgrass managers, insecticides containing imidacloprid (Merit®), chlorantraniliprole (Acelepryn®), or trichlorfon (Dylox®) are the most effective tools. The primary months of preventative application of Acelepryn® is from April to end of May and Merit® from April into July - targeting grubs before they hatch. Curative treatments with Dylox® or similar products are applied July through the fall, when young grubs are feeding and most vulnerable. Always follow label directions for optimal application and safety. Timing may vary slightly by regional seasonal needs. Turf Care Supply has a variety of professional TCS Growstar insecticide fertilizers available to protect your turf and prevent grub damage, before it starts. Click on the button below to view products, contact your sales rep for addition TC Growstar products available.
October 9, 2024
Platte River Equity Portfolio Company Turf Care Supply, LLC Acquires Agri-Nutrients, Inc. Brunswick, OH , October 9, 2024 – Platte River Equity (“Platte River”) portfolio company Turf Care Supply, LLC (“Turf Care”) is pleased to announce its acquisition of Agri-Nutrients, Inc. (“Agri-Nutrients”), a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the turf & ornamental (“T&O”) industry. This strategic acquisition provides Turf Care with an established presence in the south-central United States, an enhanced product portfolio and additional manufacturing capacity. “This acquisition represents much more than a business transaction; it is a strategic step forward in expanding our reach and enhancing our customers’ growth. By bringing Agri-Nutrients into the Turf Care family, we are broadening our product portfolio, expanding our market presence and further positioning ourselves as a leader in providing innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mark Mangan, President of Turf Care. “We are excited about joining the Turf Care team,” said Jim Montgomery, President of Agri-Nutrients. “At Agri-Nutrients, our core values center around customer service and product innovation, and we are confident that this combination will allow us to better serve the needs of our customers.” “Platte River welcomes the Agri-Nutrients team to Turf Care. This transaction underscores our long-term commitment to fostering growth through both organic and inorganic initiatives across the Turf Care platform,” said Tarun Kanthety, Vice President of Platte River. “The partnership with Agri-Nutrients strengthens Turf Care’s value-added offering, creating additional growth opportunities across the combined customer base.” B&A Corporate Advisors served as the exclusive financial advisor to Agri-Nutrients. About Agri-Nutrients Founded in 1992 and based in Catoosa, OK, Agri-Nutrients is a manufacturer and blender of custom granular fertilizers for the T&O industry, predominantly selling into the lawn care, sports turf and golf course end markets. About Turf Care Supply Established in 1974, Turf Care Supply is one of the largest formulators and blenders of urea products to the T&O market. Turf Care has a comprehensive product portfolio of fertilizers, combination products (herbicide/insecticide), soil amendments and enhanced efficiency fertilizer ingredients. Turf Care's products are sold to distributors and blenders serving the commercial, residential and golf end markets. Turf Care operates four manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the eastern U.S. About Platte River Equity Founded in 2006 and based in Denver, CO, Platte River Equity is a private equity firm focused on investments in established lower middle market operating companies within targeted industrial sectors where it has substantial operating and investing experience. Platte River utilizes prudent capital structures in order to invest in future growth opportunities and withstand changing economic environments. The firm also provides significant ongoing support to its portfolio companies through dedicated resources across functional areas. The firm has raised funds with committed capital in excess of $1.6 billion and is currently investing out of its fifth fund. The Platte River team is the largest collective investor across its funds, deeply aligning the firm with its investors and portfolio company management teams.
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