Northwest Indiana’s climate offers both beauty and challenges when it comes to maintaining a healthy, green lawn. From unpredictable rainfall to humid summers, your lawn needs a thoughtful care strategy to thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner or new to lawn care, this guide covers the essentials: watering, disease prevention, aeration and seeding, insect control—and how our outdoor pest program can help you enjoy your yard to the fullest.

1. Watering Wisely: Timing Is Everything

Summer temperatures in Northwest Indiana can reach into the 90s, with periods of hot, dry weather that can stress your lawn. While average rainfall is around 3-4 inches per month, rainfall can be inconsistent, meaning irrigation may be necessary to supplement.

Proper scheduling not only conserves water, but also ensures your lawn gets the right amount of moisture, encouraging deep root growth and drought tolerance. Lawns typically need 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week in the spring and even more in the summer months.

The best time to water is early morning (between 4:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. when temperatures are cooler, and winds are calm. This allows moisture to soak in deeply and helps prevent evaporation.

Avoid evening watering—wet grass overnight creates the perfect environment for fungal diseases. Deep, infrequent watering encourages strong root growth and a more drought-tolerant lawn.

If watering schedules seems like too much to think about, RLM, Inc. can help you install a Hydrawise WIFI Irrigation controller. Hydrawise takes the guess work out and offers predictive watering solutions, based on local weather data (like rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind) to automatically adjust watering schedules. This helps save water and ensures plants aren’t over- or under-watered. By adjusting watering based on forecast and actual weather conditions, Hydrawise can significantly reduce water usage—often by 30–50% compared to traditional controllers.

2. Fighting Lawn Diseases: Know the Signs and CALL US RIGHT AWAY!!!

Fungal Diseases like brown patch, dollar spot, and summer patch are common in our region, especially during hot, humid months. Watch for irregular patches, discolored blades, or powdery coatings on your grass.

To help prevent these issues:

Mow at the recommended height (usually 3–3.5 inches for cool-season grasses) and alternate mowing patterns.
Keep mower blades sharp – for best results sharpen twice a year. Your local Ace Hardware store will be happy to sharpen and balance blades on your mower.
Avoid overwatering.
Spot something unusual? Our local lawn care team can help diagnose and treat lawn diseases before they spread.
RLM, Inc. offers a 4-step program to help prevent turf diseases or stop the spread if it is present on your lawn.

3. Aeration & Overseeding: Fall’s Dynamic Duo…..or TRIO!

Compacted soil and thinning grass can prevent your lawn from reaching its full potential. That’s where aeration and overseeding come in. To achieve the dream thick lawn, aeration and overseeding should be completed annually.

Aeration relieves soil compaction, allowing air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots. Overseeding fills in bare spots and boosts turf density, improving overall lawn health and weed resistance.

Incorporate the magic of Mirimichi Green does wonders when used while overseeding. This product helps balance the soils pH, aids in water absorption and nutrient uptake.

Fall is the best time in Northwest Indiana to schedule this service—cool-season grasses establish quickly in our autumn conditions.

4. Bugs and Critters: Know Your Lawn’s Enemies

Common pests like grubs (soil feeder), chinch bugs, sod webworms, and armyworms (surface feeders) can cause serious damage to Indiana lawns. Be on the lookout for:

Yellowing or dead patches
Wildlife digging in the turf – those cute racoons can cause some serious damage. The not so cute critters like moles can also cause chaos to your lawn.

Preventative treatments, especially in late spring, are key. If pest activity is already present, don’t wait—early action can save your lawn.

5. Enjoy Your Lawn—Without the Pests

A beautiful lawn loses its appeal if you can’t enjoy it without getting bitten. Our Outdoor Pest Control Program helps protect your yard from mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and other unwanted pests.

We offer:

Targeted barrier treatments to reduce pests where they live and breed
Routine applications during peak pest seasons
Family- and pet-friendly solutions

Whether you’re hosting cookouts or letting the kids play outside, our pest program helps you make the most of your outdoor space.

Together, Let’s Build a Lawn You’ll Love

A vibrant, healthy lawn doesn’t just look great, it enhances your home, lifestyle, and outdoor enjoyment. Whether you’re dealing with patchy grass, stubborn pests, or simply want to elevate your curb appeal, RLM, Inc is your partner in year-round lawn care.

Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation or learn more about our customized lawn care and pest control programs.

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