![\"Lawn](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Cool-Season-Calendar-Updated.jpg\")
Let\u2019s get into the specifics of warm-season lawn care for each season:<\/p>
- Spring<\/a><\/li>
- Summer<\/a><\/li>
- Fall<\/a><\/li>
- Winter<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Popular cool-season grasses include fine fescues<\/strong> (chewings fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, and creeping red fescues), Kentucky bluegrass<\/strong>, perennial ryegrass<\/strong>, tall fescue<\/strong>, and bentgrasses<\/strong> (colonial and creeping). If you don\u2019t grow these grasses, check our warm-season lawn care calendar instead<\/a>.<\/p>
Spring cool-season lawn care: March, April, May<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Late](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rsz_spring_to_late_summer.jpg\")
PROPOLI87<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure> Cool-season grasses start growing faster once temperatures hit 50 degrees Fahrenheit <\/strong>and above, reaching their peak growth season at 65 to 75 degrees<\/strong>. <\/p>
Here are the lawn care tasks you have to do in the spring:<\/p>
- Avoid foot traffic<\/li>
- Clean up the yard<\/li>
- Buy lawn care supplies<\/li>
- Maintain the mower and lawn care equipment<\/li>
- Check your irrigation system<\/li>
- Test and amend the soil<\/li>
- Apply fungicides<\/li>
- Dethatch<\/li>
- Aerate<\/li>
- Control weeds<\/li>
- Overseed or lay sod<\/li>
- Fertilize<\/li>
- Apply topdressing<\/li>
- Mow<\/li>
- Control pests<\/li> <\/ul>
The timing of your lawn care duties will depend on where you live:<\/p>
- Homeowners in the transition zone<\/a> will likely start spring lawn care in April. Some states in this area are Kentucky, California (Central), and Oklahoma.<\/li>
- Those in the very north of the continental U.S. may not even start until May. Some states in this area include Washington, Maine, and Minnesota.<\/li> <\/ul>
You can read our article about spring lawn care to learn more: “Tips for Spring Lawn Care”<\/a>. If you live in the Northeast, check out this lawn care guide tailored to your region: “Spring Lawn Care Tips for the Northeast”<\/a>.<\/p>
Do you want a headstart with your lawn care this spring? Try connecting with a local lawn care pro<\/a> on Lawn Love to help.<\/p>
Avoid foot traffic<\/h3>
Many homeowners with cool-season lawns will see snow up to early spring. If your lawn is still snowy, don\u2019t walk on it<\/strong> if you can avoid it. <\/p>
Nicole Stoner, an extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Gage County Extension<\/a>, says that grass can\u2019t recover from foot traffic damage when it\u2019s frozen because it\u2019s dormant. \u201cIf you walk on frozen turf, you may notice footprints through the lawn when the lawn starts to green back up in the spring,\u201d she says.<\/p>
You also should avoid stepping on your lawn as the snow melts. Stoner also says that walking on even partially frozen soil can lead to soil compaction<\/strong>.<\/p>
Clean up the yard<\/h3>
A clean yard is a healthier yard. If your lawn still has snow, but it\u2019s scattered around, then spread the snow evenly<\/strong>. It will help it melt faster. An unevenly moist lawn can result in snow molds.<\/p>
Once the snow has all melted, bring out your rake or leaf blower to remove fallen leaves and debris on your lawn. These can smother or injure your lawn.<\/p>
Buy lawn care supplies<\/h3>
Early in the spring season, you should buy your lawn care supplies such as fertilizer, herbicides, soil amendments, and pesticides. Buying early means you won\u2019t be caught off-guard when you need to use them on your cool-season lawn.<\/p>
Maintain the mower and lawn care equipment<\/h3>
![\"Gardener](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_365876011-1.jpeg\")
romaset<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The best time to check your lawn mower and other equipment is before you use them. So, do maintenance and check for issues in early spring. Here\u2019s what you need to do:<\/p>
- Sharpen mower blades and other cutting tools<\/li>
- Perform a lawn mower tune-up<\/li>
- Repair broken lawn equipment<\/li>
- Clean your mower<\/li>
- Replace string trimmer line<\/li>
- Get fresh gas or new batteries<\/li> <\/ul>
Here are some guides to help you with lawn equipment maintenance:<\/p>
- “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades”<\/a><\/li>
- “Best Lawn Mower Maintenance Practices”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Repair a Lawn Mower”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Put String in a Weed Eater”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Check your irrigation system<\/h3>
Once you\u2019re sure that the last hard freeze of the season has come and gone, it\u2019s time to de-winterize your sprinkler system. Take this time to check your irrigation system for issues.<\/p>
You can learn more about sprinkler system maintenance in these articles:<\/p>
- “Sprinkler System Maintenance Checklist”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Adjust Sprinkler Heads”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
When should I start watering my grass regularly again?<\/strong> Irrigate your lawn regularly after all the snow has melted to prevent overwatering. Aim for 1 inch of water per week over two to three watering sessions. You can learn more about how long to water your lawn in this guide: “When and How to Water Your Lawn”<\/a>.<\/p>
Test and amend the soil<\/h3>
![\"Nutrients](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_281354994.jpeg\")
Deyan Georgiev<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> While you can test your soil at any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen, spring<\/strong> is the best time to conduct a soil test<\/strong>. A soil test will tell you if you need to amend your soil and what type of fertilizer to use. Look at these guides to learn more about soil testing:<\/p>
- “How to Soil Test Your Lawn”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Read a Soil Test Report”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
If your soil needs to be limed, try postponing it to fall as spring is not the best time to apply this soil amendment. Sulfur should be applied in late spring. <\/p>
Soil amendments can also help improve the texture of your soil. You can learn more about different soil amendments in these articles:<\/p>
- “What Are the Different Types of Soil Amendments for Your Lawn?”<\/a><\/li>
- Soil pH issues:<\/strong>
- “What is Acidic Soil?”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Change Your Soil pH”<\/a> (contains a guide on how to lower soil pH with sulfur)<\/li>
- “Complete Guide to Different Soil Types”<\/a> (for soil texture)<\/li> <\/ul> <\/li> <\/ul>
We\u2019ll talk about fertilizer and soil nutrients below.<\/p>
Apply fungicides<\/h3>
The cool and moist conditions of spring make your lawn a breeding ground for fungal diseases. Some lawn diseases that might attack your lawn this spring are:<\/p>
- Dollar spot<\/a><\/li>
- Fairy ring<\/a><\/li>
- Gray snow mold<\/a><\/li>
- Pink snow mold<\/a><\/li>
- Leaf spot and melting out<\/a><\/li>
- Turfgrass rust<\/a><\/li>
- Red thread<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
You can learn more about lawn diseases and how to tackle them in this guide: How to Identify and Treat Grass Fungus”<\/a>. Generally, you\u2019ll need to use a fungicide to cure your lawn.<\/p>
Dethatch<\/h3>
Spring is not the best time to dethatch your lawn, but it\u2019s a good time to do it if your lawn has a lot of excess thatch. Thatch is the layer of organic matter between your turf and the soil. Excess thatch is bad for your lawn as it can foster pests and disease (among other things). <\/p>
Dethatching is the process of removing a thick thatch layer \u2013 about \u00bd-inch thick. You can dethatch your cool-season lawn as soon as it has greened up. <\/strong>Your grass will need to be actively growing to recover from this intensive lawn care procedure. <\/p>
Note: <\/strong>Fall is the best time to dethatch your lawn. Postpone it to fall if you can.<\/p>
Aerate<\/h3>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> If you have compacted soil, then you\u2019ll need to aerate your lawn. Aerating your lawn involves poking holes in it to loosen it so water, air, and nutrients can reach your turf\u2019s root system. Soil compaction can lead to poor grass growth. <\/p>
Aeration should only be done when your grass is actively growing, but the most ideal time to aerate would be in the fall because your grass won\u2019t have to contend with the summer heat.<\/p>
Control weeds<\/h3>
Spring is the perfect time to get a leg up on summer annuals by applying pre-emergent herbicides, which prevent them from sprouting in the first place. Apply pre-emergent weed killer when the soil temperature hits<\/strong> 50 degrees<\/strong>. It\u2019s important not to apply pre-emergent late if you want to prevent crabgrass<\/a>.<\/p>
Note: <\/strong>Generally, there is a 10-degree difference between air and soil temperature.<\/p>
If you want to learn more about pre-emergent weed control, check out these articles:<\/p>
- “When and How to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a><\/li>
- “Types of Pre-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a><\/li>
- “Does Corn Gluten Meal Work on Weeds?”<\/a> (a natural alternative)<\/li>
- “Best Pre-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a> (product review)<\/li> <\/ul>
If your lawn has weeds from the previous seasons, you can also apply post-emergent herbicides to kill them. If you don\u2019t want to use a weed killer, you can also use other methods to get rid of them.<\/p>
Can I use weed and feed? <\/strong>If you have mature weeds, you can use weed and feed<\/a>. However, most weed and feed products can\u2019t prevent future weeds from growing.<\/p>
Moss can also grow on your lawn in spring. If you\u2019d like to get rid of it, check out our guide here: “How to Get Rid of Moss in Your Lawn”<\/a>.<\/p>
Overseed or lay sod<\/h3>
There are many reasons why your lawn becomes patchy, but there are fewer solutions. One of the ways to fix patchy grass<\/a> is by overseeding. Overseeding is the process of planting grass seed on an existing lawn.<\/p>
Spring is not the best time to overseed cool-season grass, but you can do it if your lawn is looking really sparse. Otherwise, wait until fall.<\/p>
You can also lay down sod instead of overseeding. Spring is not the best time to lay down sod though, as your new grass will have to contend with the upcoming summer heat. However, installing sod is the best if you want an instant lawn.<\/p>
Fertilize<\/h3>
![\"Rust](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/rsz_rust_kentucky_grass_closeup.jpg\")
Chris 73<\/a> | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Your cool-season lawn will need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) to fuel its growth \u2013 very important now that it\u2019s in its peak growing season. These important macronutrients are found in fertilizer.<\/p>
If you conducted a soil test, the results may have told you if your soil has nutrient deficiencies. Use the results to help pick out a fertilizer with a ratio (denoted by three numbers corresponding to N-P-K) that will fix these deficiencies. Otherwise, just use a balanced fertilizer or an organic fertilizer<\/a>.<\/p>
Don\u2019t fertilize too late into the season or you will force your grass to grow past its active growth season, which can be stressful for your grass.<\/p>
Apply topdressing<\/h3>
Is your grass still looking lackluster despite everything you\u2019ve done? Maybe you need to topdress your lawn<\/a>. It\u2019s the process of laying down a thin layer of organic material like compost over your lawn to amend the soil.<\/p>
Mow<\/h3>
![\"cutting](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_290201183.jpeg\")
rh2010<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The first mow of the spring season will depend on where you live:<\/p>
- Homeowners in the transition zone may be able to mow their lawns in April. The transition zone is an area where the conditions allow for both cool-season and warm-season grass can grow.<\/li>
- Those further north may have to wait to mow until May. The further north you go, the later you\u2019ll wait to mow your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>
Only mow when your grass has grown long enough, but don\u2019t wait too long to cut. Always follow the one-third rule<\/a>; never scalp your lawn<\/a> unless necessary.<\/p>
You will likely need to mow at least<\/strong> twice a week<\/strong> during the height of the growing season, before slowing down as the temperatures heat up in summer.<\/p>
If you want to learn more about proper mowing this spring:<\/p>
- “How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way”<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Mow Your Yard this Spring”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Control pests<\/h3>
Spring brings baby animals like birds, mammals, and (unfortunately) pests. If the problem gets really bad \u2013 resulting in damaged grass \u2013 then it might be time to bust out the pesticide. Some common spring lawn pests<\/a> include:<\/p>
- Armyworms<\/a><\/li>
- Billbugs<\/a><\/li>
- Chinch bugs<\/a><\/li>
- Cutworms (a type of caterpillar<\/a>)<\/li>
- Sod webworms<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
If you want to learn more about spring pest control, check out these articles:<\/p>
- “Organic Pest Control Options”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Use Beneficial Nematodes for Pest Control”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Our guide on Integrated Pest Management<\/a> may also be of interest to you if you would like to deal with pests in a more sustainable manner.<\/p>
Summer cool-season lawn care: June, July, August<\/span><\/h2>
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/vecteezy_green-park-nature-view-of-green-grass-in-garden-ecology-concept_3025898-1.jpg\")
werayuth tessrimuang<\/a> | Vecteezy | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The summer months bring some relief for homeowners with cool-season grass as they slow down their growth, which means less mowing. According to Aaron Patton, a professor at Purdue University\u2019s Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture<\/a>, cool-season grass can grow poorly above 77-degree temperatures because it can\u2019t photosynthesize properly at these temps.<\/p>
Even though summers in the northern half of the country are milder, always keep yourself hydrated and well-protected against the sun when doing yard work. Maintain your lawn early before the heat of the day sets in.<\/p>
Here are the lawn maintenance tasks you will need to do in the summer months:<\/p>
- Mow high<\/li>
- Water the lawn<\/li>
- Control weeds<\/li>
- Control grubs and pests<\/li>
- Apply fungicides<\/li>
- Overseed<\/li> <\/ul>
If you don\u2019t want to spend your summer days on your lawn, try connecting with a lawn care pro near you<\/a> on Lawn Love.<\/p>
Mow high<\/h3>
Mowing high in the summer is good for all types of grass, but it\u2019s especially helpful for cool-season turf. According to Jackie Jordan, a Master Gardener Coordinator with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service<\/a>, mowing high is better during the summer because your lawn will photosynthesize better, promoting strong roots and improving drought tolerance.<\/p>
During the summer months, your lawn might go dormant. If it does go dormant<\/strong>, stop mowing your grass<\/strong>. Dormant grass is brown and doesn\u2019t grow much (if at all). You can read this article to learn more about when to stop mowing your lawn: “When Not to Mow Your Lawn”<\/a>.<\/p>
If you do mow, practice grasscycling. It\u2019s the act of leaving a thin layer of grass clippings on your lawn. If you want to learn more about grasscycling, you can read these articles:<\/p>
- “What is Grasscycling”<\/a><\/li>
- “Bagging vs. Mulching Grass Clippings”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Water the lawn<\/h3>
![\"in-ground](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pexels-qhung999-25283561.jpg\")
Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Generally, cool-season grasses need more water than warm-season grasses \u2013 1.5 inches of water or more per week <\/strong>\u2013 to stay green. According to Colorado State University<\/a>, Kentucky bluegrass may even need 2.5 inches of water or more per week during the hottest part of summer.<\/p>
Understandably, that means that maintaining a green cool-season lawn this season can be expensive. There\u2019s not much you can do if you want to keep your lawn green; perhaps you can limit irrigation to whenever you see signs of dehydration.<\/p>
If you don\u2019t really mind having a brown lawn this summer, you can let your grass go dormant<\/strong> by slowly lessening how much water you give. Then, just water every few weeks to keep your grass alive.<\/p>
If you want to learn more about watering your lawn, check out these articles:<\/p>
- “How Long Should You Water Your Lawn?”<\/a><\/li>
- “When Is the Best Time to Water Your Grass?”<\/a><\/li>
- “What Temperature is Too Hot to Water Your Grass?”<\/a><\/li>
- “When is the Best Time to Water Your Lawn in Hot Weather?”<\/a><\/li>
- “How Often Should I Water My Lawn with a Sprinkler System?”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
What do I do during a drought? <\/strong>Water your lawn as best as you can if you want to keep it green. However, it might be better to let it go dormant. You can learn more about your lawn and drought in these articles:<\/p>
- “When Is the Best Time to Water Your Grass?”<\/a><\/li>
- “Bagging vs. Mulching Grass Clippings”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- “What is Grasscycling”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Use Beneficial Nematodes for Pest Control”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- Billbugs<\/a><\/li>
- “When to Mow Your Yard this Spring”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- “How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way”<\/a><\/li>
- “Types of Pre-Emergent Herbicides”<\/a><\/li>
- Fairy ring<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Change Your Soil pH”<\/a> (contains a guide on how to lower soil pH with sulfur)<\/li>
- Soil pH issues:<\/strong>
- “How to Read a Soil Test Report”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- “How to Adjust Sprinkler Heads”<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- “Best Lawn Mower Maintenance Practices”<\/a><\/li>
- “How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades”<\/a><\/li>
- Those in the very north of the continental U.S. may not even start until May. Some states in this area include Washington, Maine, and Minnesota.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Homeowners in the transition zone<\/a> will likely start spring lawn care in April. Some states in this area are Kentucky, California (Central), and Oklahoma.<\/li>
- Summer<\/a><\/li>
![\"Plantain](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/20240626_062854.jpg\")