What kind of grass do you have?
Generally speaking, cool-season grasses grow in the northern half of the U.S. These grasses grow during the fall and spring, and prefer temperatures between 50–80ºF. Anything hotter and growth typically slows down or stops. Expect cool-season grasses to maintain green color until temperatures hold consistently below 32ºF and go dormant for the winter.
You may also have cool-season grass if you live in a transitional zone. Here’s a map to help you figure out your grass type. If you live in the transitional zone or the south, you may need a warm-season lawn care calendar.
Sunday Tip:
Curious about what species of grass you have in your lawn? Check out this handy grass ID guide.
Spring
March
Spring is finally on the horizon! March is the perfect time to get a jump on prepping for warmer temps – and start dreaming up the fun projects you'd like to complete this season. This month, keep up winter maintenance as you audit your irrigation system and begin to seed.
Dust off your tools
It's time to start poking around in the shed again! Now is the time to tick lawn equipment and tool maintenance off your to-do list. Sharpening your mower blades is a great place to start.
Audit your irrigation system
Run your irrigation system through a spring sprinkler check to make sure your valve boxes, drains and spigots are all functioning properly.
Start seeding
Spring is an opportunistic time to seed areas that are typically shaded out by trees! You can also prevent and manage spring weeds by seeding or overseed early in weed trouble zones or bare patches.
Keep up winter maintenance as needed
If you're still encountering winter issues like snow piles or salt damage, head to the January and February section of this guide for tips on how to best tackle those problems.
Common issues or diseases to look out for
Learn how to identify and get rid of gray and pink snow mold, which can take hold of your lawn in March. You may also start to see winter annual weeds and early perennial weeds start to crop up at this point. And if you live in a transition climate, check out how to nix crabgrass weeds as soon as they start poking through.
April
At this point in the year, most cool-season lawns are finally starting to come out of dormancy. As your grass starts to green up, you can apply your first round of fertilizer and begin to patch up any bare spots or damage from winter weather.
Watch out for 'false spring'
This is when warmer temps trick vegetation into thinking it's time to get growing – but really, there's another frost just around the corner. Try to stay off your lawn when there's frost, and get back to patching bare spots and overseeding when things warm up again.
Apply your fertilizer at the right time
Wait until your lawn is at least 60% greened up to apply your Sunday fertilizer. You'll know it's the right time when the days start to get longer and daily temperatures consistently range from 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Repair snow and ice damage
If you notice that your lawn's looking a little patchy or uneven, don't panic! Just be sure to rake out matted grass or any areas affected by compacted snow and ice or snow mold.
Seed and overseed as needed
Bare patches are no match for spring seeding. Remember to keep the soil moist until they germinate! And, if you're lawn's looking a little thin, overseeding can help take it to the net level.
Set up your irrigation or watering system
Schedule your watering between 10pm and 10am. The sweet spot is between 6am-10am! You can also try a DIY water gauge approach to make sure you're watering the right amount across your line. A ½ of water after a 30-minute water session is good!
Common issues you may run into
As your lawn begins to really wake up, so do pesky weeds and pests! Keep an eye out for spring weeds like crabgrass, flowering perennial weeds, and annual summer weed emergence - but remember, not all weeds are bad. You might still encounter gray and pink snow mold, as well as rust and cutworms.
May
Pollinators are buzzing and flowers are blooming, which means it's time to really start enjoying what your little plot of land has to offer this season. This month, make sure to prepare your lawn for the first mow of the year, and adjust your watering or irrigation schedule based on local weather.
Prep your lawn for the first mow
Be sure to remove sticks, stones, toys, and other litter or debris off your lawn before your first mow of the season. And if you didn't get a chance to sharpen your mower blades in the off-season, do it now. Dull blades use 20% more fuel and increase water loss by 15%.
Adjust your mowing height
This useful mowing height chart can help you match your mower settings to the type of grass you're growing.
Seed or patch any remaining bare spots
If you've tried to patch up thin spots from winter wear, disease or recently removed weeds, and grass still isn't growing, check for underlying problems like soil issues, low light, or tree roots getting in the way.
Keep an eye on drought conditions and extreme temps
A late-season frost in northern climates or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, an intense heatwave, can crop up in May. Be sure to properly water your lawn based on conditions in your area.
Common issues you may encounter
If you notice weeds cropping up, they're likely one of the following: crabgrass, flowering perennial weeds like chickweed or dandelion, and annual summer weeds like goosegrass and common prostrate knotweed. You may also start to notice lawn diseases this month, including fungal diseases like dollar spot, leaf spot, anthracnose, red thread or summer patch, or bacterial diseases like brown patch. You may also notice rust on your lawn from intense humidity.
Summer
June
Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes a whole host of opportunities to make your grass look and feel its best. To make sure you get the most out of your lawn this season, be sure to fix up any issues from spring. It's also a good time to implement Integrated Pest Management to deal with unwanted bugs and insects in your yard.
Manage and repair spring flooding
If you notice your lawn getting swampy or saturated, keep off it until things dry out a little. Then, when you're able, seed thinning or bare patches to help your lawn grow thicker.
Keep up good mowing practices
There are a few mowing must-dos to keep in mind, like mowing high (down to 3–3 ½ inches) and at the right time of day (morning and evening are best). Learn more about the best way to mow a lawn, and don't forget to grasscycle!
Monitor irrigation and watering levels
Fix leaks as soon as you notice them and make sure to repair any broken parts in a timely manner. Be sure to check the forecast, too – if rain is on the way, keep your system or hose off. An overwatered lawn is vulnerable to disease and fungal issues.
Common issues you may encounter
Pests lurking in your yard this time of year include chinch bugs and billbugs. You'll also find flowering perennial weeds and summer annual weeds. Keep an eye out for diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, summer patch, red thread, pythium, leaf spot, and anthracnose.
July
The heat of summer is cranking up. This is peak season for drought stress and browning, but if you water wisely and lower stress on your yard, it should make it through.
Follow local water restrictions
Don't water or irrigate your lawn if your local municipality doesn't allow it. It's okay to let your lawn turn golden and go dormant if need be.
Water when possible
Make sure your irrigation or watering system is working well without any leaks or puddling. When you do have a chance to water your lawn, deep and infrequent is best. Also, remember to water between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Otherwise, water evaporates before reaching the soil.
Reduce stress on your lawn
If you've got drought-stressed grass, raise up your mowing height. And, if possible, try to keep foot traffic away.
Grasscycle
If your mower has a bag, remove it, and let the grass clippings lightly cover your lawn. Grasscycling is an easy (and free!) way to return much-needed nutrients to the soil.
Common issues you may run into
Flowering perennial weeds and summer annuals are common during this time. You also may notice diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, summer patch, red thread, pythium, leaf spot, anthracnose, and necrotic ring spot. Keep an eye out for pests like the Japanese beetle, masked chafer, billbug and chinch bug.
August
As you blast the A/C, keep an eye on how your lawn is handling the high heat of summer. Continue to monitor for drought stress and use best practices when watering. As the month comes to a close, it's time to start setting up your lawn for a great fall season.
Conserve water
Adopt practices that help your lawn save water. Keep an eye on your local municipality's watering rules and avoid watering when there's rain in the forecast. It's okay to let your lawn go golden and dormant if needed.
Reduce lawn stress
If your lawn is heat- or drought-stressed, avoiding foot traffic and raising your mower's height can help alleviate some of that strain.
Grasscycle
Remove your mower's bag and let cut grass cover your lawn. Grasscycling is a free and simple way to return nutrients to your grass.
Irrigate when you can
When you are able to water your lawn, deeply and infrequently is best. Remember to water between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to keep water from evaporating before it reaches your lawn's roots. The sweet spot to water is between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Begin seeding cool-season grasses
You can start planting grass the last week of August. This allows for enough time for the seed to germinate and get firmly established before cooler temps settle in for good.
Common issues you may run into
Expect to encounter flowering perennial weeds and summer annuals. Watch out for diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, summer patch, red thread, pythium, leaf spot, rust, grey leaf spot and necrotic ring spot. Pests you might encounter in August include Japanese beetles, masked chafers, chinch bugs and cutworms.
Fall
September
As the leaves begin to change, it's time to start really ramping up for fall lawn care. Weeding, seeding and consistent maintenance will make this changing of the seasons go off without a hitch.
Seed
Fall seeding helps your lawn grow thick and strong, which makes it easier for your grass to survive winter conditions.
Mow and maintain
Start preparing your lawn for fall weather by removing grass clippings if the amount is denser than you're used to. You can also overseed or patch bare spots as they crop up. Keep an eye on your local weather forecast for insight into how frequently you should water.
Weed
Weeds can take precious resources and nutrients away from your lawn, so make sure to tackle fall weeds as they crop up this month. Note: Pull weeds by hand whenever possible.
Continue to conserve water
Don't water or use less water if there are local restrictions in place, and avoid running your irrigation system or hose if there's rain in the forecast.
Common issues you may run into
September's pests and weeds are similar to August's. You can expect to encounter flowering perennial weeds and summer annuals. Watch out for diseases including dollar spot, brown patch, summer patch, red thread, pythium, leaf spot, rust, gray leaf spot and necrotic ring spot. Pests you might encounter in August include Japanese beetles, masked chafers, chinch bugs and cutworms.
October
As autumn gets into full swing, it's time to prepare your lawn for the fall and winter conditions ahead. Set your lawn up for success by tackling weeds, applying nutrients, and making the most of those leaf piles accumulating in your yard.
Fertilize at the right time
Cool-season grass isn't growing by the end of the month, so it's important to feed your fall lawn earlier in the month. If you wait, the nutrients will be wasted, or could even harm the environment.
Leafcycle and protect water quality
Managing fall leaves is easy! Just mow the leaves on your lawn to create leaf litter, which is a free and simple way to give nutrients back to your lawn. As a bonus, leafycling also protects your local waterways. Leaf litter contains phosphorus, and too much of it in local streams and rivers can have a negative impact on surrounding ecosystems.
Overseed and patch
Overseed your lawn and be sure to give extra care to bare patches or stressed areas. Fall seeding is important because it sets your lawn up for an excellent spring. Thick, lush turf crowds out weeds naturally, and eliminating bare spots does too.
Tackle debris and drains
Remove toys, yard waste, or other debris on your lawn, and keep an eye out for any pooling water. It's best to fix drainage issues now, before snow and ice fall and get a chance to pile up and damage those areas of your lawn.
Continue to conserve water
Don't irrigate your lawn when it's raining or rain is on the way. Continue to avoid watering if there are still water restrictions in place. Watering your lawn the right way not only helps conserve water – it also limits the amount of sediment or excess nutrients, like phosphorus from leaves, from leeching into waterways.
Common issues you may run into
Perennial weeds are still hanging around, and you may start to see winter annuals pop up. Watch out for rust, as well as leaf spot and grey leaf spot. You may notice Japanese beetles and masked chafers as well.
November
As autumn fades into winter, it's time for the last lawn care of the year and preparing your lawn for winter. This is when you'll do your final mow of the season, manage any remaining leaves and winterize your sprinklers.
Complete your final mow
You'll do this when your grass stops growing. Cut your lawn shorter than normal – you'll want it to be about two inches tall when you're done.
Break down and mulch any remaining leaves
While you've got your mower out, go over any remaining fall leaves to give that organic matter and nutrients back to your lawn. Doing this can reduce diseases and dead spots, help any late-season seeding reach the soil, and prevents water pollution. It also creates an over-wintering habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators.
Turn off and winterize your irrigation system
After you turn off your system, it's important to get any water out of there before you store it for the winter. Doing this saves money by preventing leaks and increases the life expectancy of your system by protecting it from harsh cold weather.
Consider dormant seeding
Seed between November and December before there's snow cover. Wait until temperatures drop below 40°F, and then spread seed evenly on your bare lawn to increase soil contact. Don't water – just let the snow fall and your lawn will do the rest!
Common issues you may run into
Perennial weeds and winter annuals may still be hanging around at this point in the year.
Winter
December
As things slow down, it's a great time to review your lawn care throughout the year. What would you like to improve next year? Are there sustainable practices you'd like to implement come spring? This is also a good time to properly dispose of any chemicals you won't need for the upcoming season, and get into some winter maintenance.
Avoid heavy traffic on your lawn
Staying off the grass helps prevent snow and ice from compacting, which can damage your dormant lawn and make it more vulnerable to disease.
Manage salt
Prevent salt damage by shoveling snow before it freezes and avoiding overapplication. You can also protect your lawn and garden by keeping salt away from any green areas.
Distribute snow
It will melt faster and prevent compaction if you disperse large heaps or piles of snow.
Keep an eye out for ice pockets
Watch for puddles that form and freeze as distributed snow melts. Ice pockets can indicate you may need to fix through drainage assistance, leveling and more.
Common issues you may run into
You shouldn't find any weeds or pests this time of year.
January and February
We love to use these early winter months to plan for the upcoming lawn care season. Plus, there are important steps you can take to manage winter stress to ensure your lawn emerges healthy and strong in spring, like managing salt and staying off the grass.
Avoid heavy traffic on your lawn
Staying off the grass helps prevent snow and ice from compacting, which can damage your lawn and make it more vulnerable to disease.
Manage salt
Prevent salt damage by shoveling snow before it freezes and avoiding overapplication. You can also protect your lawn and garden by keeping salt away from any green areas.
Distribute snow
It will melt faster and prevent compaction if you disperse large heaps or piles of snow.
Keep an eye out for ice pockets
Watch for puddles that form and freeze as distributed snow melts. Ice pockets can indicate you may need to fix through drainage assistance, leveling and more.
Common issues or diseases to look out for
Learn how to identify and get rid of gray and pink snow mold, which can take hold in your lawn during these months.
Sunday ProTip! If you live in a transition climate, check out how to nix crabgrass weeds as soon as they start poking through.
CITED SOURCES:
Lawn care calendar. University of Minnesota Extension.
Essential Tips for a Healthy Lawn, Part I. University of Minnesota Extension.
The Homeowner's Lawn Care and Water Quality Almanac. Cornell University Extension.
Mower Blade Sharpness Effects on Turf. Agronomy Journal.
Turf Rust. Cornell University Plant Clinic.
