Beatin' the Heat

August heat can scorch your lawn into straw and ruin months of attentive cultivation. To avoid that, water your lawn frequently. This prevents the grass' root structure from rising toward the surface in a desperate search for water. But don't go overboard with the water; standing water, combined with humidity, leads to fungus growth. Assuming your lawn survives August, you'll need to prepare it for fall and winter by feeding it more fertilizer as fall's cooler weather approaches. And if it's a new lawn, rent a dethatcher and work the grass over as fall and winter approach.