Water!

Photo From: http://home.howstuffworks.com

August in the Midwest is HOT! This intense heat, coupled with very little rainfall, is tough on our cool-season lawns (especially in the transition zone).

It is imperative that we water regularly during dry periods, if we want our lawns to keep growing. (The alternative is not to water and let the lawn go dormant.)

Your lawn needs roughly 1" of water every 2 to 3 days when temperatures are above 90 degrees. (You can use a rain gauge or an empty tuna can to ensure you are watering enough.)

As a general rule, anytime your lawn starts to look "dull" or take on a bluish tint, it is time to water.

Watering is certainly an easier task for those with an automatic system. For the rest of us, it is worth the effort to drag out a hose and sprinkler to make sure we keep our lawn in good shape.

If we can all hold on another 6 weeks, we should see relief from the heat and our lawns will have a chance to shine for another month or two before they go dormant for winter.