Is it ok? - Ask Extension
Hi- Richfield resident here... Healthy lawn following the asian beetles and craqb grass invasion 3 years ago.
2026- I did not water my lawn du...
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Is it ok? #941196
Asked August 01, 2026, 4:48 AM EDT
Hi- Richfield resident here... Healthy lawn following the asian beetles and craqb grass invasion 3 years ago.
2026- I did not water my lawn during this summer drought (July 5- July 31), However, I did dethatch my lawn on July 24, during this no rain period (July 6-30), accumulating a large yard waste container worth of debris from my lawn. What to do next?
1- Can/should I put down granular grub preventer now?
2- can I put down summer fertilizer now with the grub preventer, or stager it?
Thank you for your guidance,
Lisa
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
It sounds like you are in the middle of a lawn rejuvenation.
I need high quality (3 MB) mobile phone photos of your lawn.
Do you have crabgrass now?
Fortunately, grubs and their adult form (Asian beetles) are highly cyclical and for many lawns this is a low-cycle year. It is too late to apply grub control now except for products that will kill many pollinators and pollinator nests. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn
Until I see the pictures, set your mower as high as possible, ~4 inches, and mow at 5.5. The taller the grass the deeper its roots grow and it becomes more resilient to heat, drought, and also has a thicker turf that prevents weed invasion. Water once a week. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/water-saving-strategies-home-lawns
This too, will make the roots go deeper. Shallow frequent watering gives a survival advantage to shallow rooted weeds.
Do you have a soil test by any chance?
How old is your house?
It sounds like you are in the middle of a lawn rejuvenation.
I need high quality (3 MB) mobile phone photos of your lawn.
Do you have crabgrass now?
Fortunately, grubs and their adult form (Asian beetles) are highly cyclical and for many lawns this is a low-cycle year. It is too late to apply grub control now except for products that will kill many pollinators and pollinator nests. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn
Until I see the pictures, set your mower as high as possible, ~4 inches, and mow at 5.5. The taller the grass the deeper its roots grow and it becomes more resilient to heat, drought, and also has a thicker turf that prevents weed invasion. Water once a week. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/water-saving-strategies-home-lawns
This too, will make the roots go deeper. Shallow frequent watering gives a survival advantage to shallow rooted weeds.
Do you have a soil test by any chance?
How old is your house?
Hi- my house is 1950. I have the setting to the highest notch on the lawn mower, EXCEPT when I thatched.
isolated crab grass areas only.
should I wait to fertilize to give my lawn time to recover from the drought and 2.5” of rain.
I have pictures but this reply form say they are too big to insert.
Thank you for writing back.
Please send the photos in jpeg or png format to <personal data hidden>
Do not fertilize now. This is peak season for nitrogen burn. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes-minnesota/fertilizing-lawns
You may benefit from a soil test (see info in my signature line). The odds are very high that your phosphorus is high and nitrogen is normal. I cannot tell about K or organic material.
Once I see the pictures, then I can advise you on overseeding. If you overseed, do not do any crabgrass treatment because it will prevent the new lawn seed from germinating. At this point reseeding should be held off until late September.
Please send the photos in jpeg or png format to <personal data hidden>
Do not fertilize now. This is peak season for nitrogen burn. https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes-minnesota/fertilizing-lawns
You may benefit from a soil test (see info in my signature line). The odds are very high that your phosphorus is high and nitrogen is normal. I cannot tell about K or organic material.
Once I see the pictures, then I can advise you on overseeding. If you overseed, do not do any crabgrass treatment because it will prevent the new lawn seed from germinating. At this point reseeding should be held off until late September.
