- February<\/a>
- Lawn mower maintenance<\/a><\/li>
- Pre-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- March<\/a>
- Clean up<\/a><\/li>
- Pre-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li>
- Overseeding<\/a><\/li>
- Laying sod<\/a><\/li>
- Soil test<\/a><\/li>
- Fertilizer (cool-season grass)<\/a><\/li>
- Irrigation<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- April<\/a>
- Apply your second round of fertilizer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- May<\/a>
- Post-emergent herbicide (now or throughout the growing season)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- June<\/a>
- Fertilizer (warm-season grass)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- July<\/a>
- Fertilizer (warm-season grass)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- September<\/a>
- Fertilizer (cool-season grass)<\/a><\/li>
- Fertilizer (warm-season grass)<\/a><\/li>
- Dethatching and aerating<\/a><\/li>
- Overseeding<\/a><\/li>
- Laying sod (if you haven\u2019t yet)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- October<\/a>
- Fertilizer (cool-season grass)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- November<\/a>
- Fertilizer (cool-season grass)<\/a><\/li>
- Final irrigation<\/a><\/li>
- Winterizing and last mow<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
February<\/span><\/h2>
Do your lawn mower maintenance<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Before you get started with anything else, it’s time to pull out your lawn mower and give it the maintenance it needs. That can involve a number of tasks, like cleaning and sharpening your blades. We\u2019ll tell you more about your lawn mower maintenance jobs<\/a> in our guide.<\/p>
Apply pre-emergent herbicide the first time<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply pre-emergent herbicide before weeds get a chance to germinate. It\u2019s best to do it in two doses; once in January to March and once in March to mid-April. Don\u2019t leave out this early application, or you\u2019ll likely come across some weeds. Treat your later application as a \u201cbooster.\u201d <\/p>
To apply pre-emergent herbicide, you want your soil temperature to be at least 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit for five or more days in a row. But if it happens to snow, it won\u2019t ruin your application.<\/p>
The best time to use pre-emergent herbicides varies slightly across the state. Jackson\u2019s soil typically reaches 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit in early March, while in Nashville, which is more central, this happens in mid-March. However, in Madisonville to the east, the right temperature is already in January.<\/p>
Read more about pre-emergent herbicide application here: When to Apply Pre-Emergent in Tennessee<\/p>
March<\/span><\/h2>
Clean up your lawn<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
The snowy, windy east Tennessee winters leave behind plenty of debris. Use this time to get rid of sticks, twigs, and other debris, but wait until after the last snowfall.<\/p>
When the last snowfall occurs depends on your region.Nashville doesn\u2019t usually get snow after February, but in the higher elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains, snow falls until April. Check your local weather report.<\/p>
Here are some tips on how to clean your lawn and yard.<\/a><\/p>
Apply pre-emergent herbicide the second time<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply pre-emergent herbicide before weeds get a chance to germinate. As mentioned above, it\u2019s best to do it in two applications; once in January to March and once in March to mid-April. You\u2019ll need to apply herbicide earlier if you live in the east.<\/p>
Overseed your lawn (if needed)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
If you want to overseed your lawn twice, do so once in the spring and once in the fall. If just once, it\u2019s better to do it in the fall. Fall conditions are the best for ensuring your grass gets enough warmth in the soil, as well as enough sunlight and rain. <\/p>
In the spring, you can overseed from March to around mid-May, when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (plus you want to allow a few weeks to let the grass germinate). It\u2019s usually fine if the temperature goes over 70 degrees, but that also depends on your grass type.<\/p>
Check the specific soil temperature of your city. For instance, in the warmer Madison or Memphis, you should overseed around a month earlier than in the cooler Jackson.<\/p>
Related resources:<\/p>- When to plant grass in Tennessee<\/li>
- When to Plant Clover in Tennessee<\/li>
- How to Overseed a Lawn<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Install sod<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
You can install sod throughout the growing season, but the best time to do it is in the early spring and late fall. Here\u2019s how to install sod.<\/a><\/p>
Do a soil test<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
![\"PH](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AdobeStock_497483771.jpeg\")
H_Ko<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Before you fertilize, test your soil<\/a> to find out what nutrients are lacking. Below are fertilizing recommendations for Tennessee grasses, but you may need to adjust them to whatever your specific needs are.<\/p>
Apply your first round of fertilizer to cool-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
If you have cool-season grass, it needs a feeding. Apply 0.5 pounds of nitrogen-only fertilizer per 1000 square feet.<\/p>
Read more about fertilizing here: When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Tennessee<\/p>
Start irrigating<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Instead of observing a calendar, observe your grass. Is it showing signs of dryness?<\/a> If so, start watering. You\u2019ll most likely need to start in late March to early April and not stop until the fall. The mountainous eastern border of Tennessee gets the most rain, so you\u2019ll most likely need to water less often here.<\/p>
Start mowing<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
You can usually start mowing by the end of March to the beginning of April. But don\u2019t just take our word for it; instead, watch your grass grow. Mow when your grass needs no more than a \u00bc of an inch of a trim to get to your desired height. Here\u2019s more about the right grass heights.<\/a><\/p>
April<\/span><\/h2>
Apply your second round of fertilizer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply a half pound of nitrogen-only fertilizer per 1000 square feet of cool-season grass. Apply a pound of complete 2-1-1 fertilizer to warm-season grass.<\/p>
May<\/span><\/h2>
![\"bags](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/granular-herbicide-1.jpeg\")
JJ Gouin<\/a> | Adobe Stock | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Apply post-emergent herbicide now and throughout the season<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Tennessee weeds grow from spring to fall. Apply post-emergent herbicide as needed. Check out Common Weeds in Tennessee to help you identify weeds.<\/p>
June<\/span><\/h2>
Apply your second round of fertilizer to warm-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply a pound of nitrogen-only fertilizer.<\/p>
July<\/span><\/h2>
Apply your third round of fertilizer to warm-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply a pound of nitrogen-only fertilizer in mid-July.<\/p>
September<\/span><\/h2>
Apply your third round of fertilizer to cool-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply 1 pound per 1,000 square feet of a complete 2-1-1 fertilizer.<\/p>
Apply your fourth round of fertilizer to warm-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply a pound of complete 2-1-1 fertilizer.<\/p>
Dethatch and aerate<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
![\"illustration](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez <\/figcaption><\/figure> Dethatch and aerate just before you overseed to allow new seeds to settle in the new holes in your soil.<\/p>
Even if you don\u2019t overseed, you should dethatch and aerate at least once a year (or just aerate if you don\u2019t have a thick thatch; here\u2019s when to dethatch your lawn<\/a>). The rocky soil in some areas of Middle Tennessee make it especially important that you don\u2019t forget to aerate. Fall is a good time to do it.<\/p>
Related resources:<\/p>- When to Aerate Your Lawn in Tennessee<\/li>
- How to Aerate Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- How to Dethatch Your Lawn.<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Overseed your lawn<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
If you want to overseed your lawn twice, do so once in the spring and once in the fall. If just once, it\u2019s better to do it in the fall. As mentioned above, fall conditions are the best for ensuring your grass gets enough warmth in the soil, as well as enough sunlight and rain. <\/p>
In the spring, you can overseed from mid-September to mid-October, when soil temperatures are between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (plus you want to allow a few weeks to let the grass germinate). It\u2019s usually fine if the temperature goes over 70 degrees, but that also depends on your grass type.<\/p>
Check the specific soil temperature of your city. For instance, in the warmer Madison or Memphis, you should overseed around a month earlier than in the cooler Jackson.<\/p>
Install sod if you haven\u2019t yet<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
![\"Landscaping](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/installing-sod.jpeg\")
ungvar<\/a> | Adobe Stock | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> You can install sod throughout the growing season, but the best time to do it is in the early spring and late fall (ideally before October 8, when your risk of frost starts). Here\u2019s how to install sod.<\/a><\/p>
October<\/span><\/h2>
Apply your fourth round of fertilizer to cool-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply 1 pound per 1,000 square feet of a complete 2-1-1 fertilizer.<\/p>
November<\/span><\/h2>
Apply your fifth round of fertilizer to cool-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>
Apply a half pound of a nitrogen-only fertilizer. Don\u2019t apply fertilizer to frozen grass; this may cause runoff. <\/p>
Read more about responsible fertilizing in our article Why Do We Have to Be Responsible in Our Use of Fertilizer?<\/a><\/p>
Stop watering with the first frost<\/span><\/h3>
Your risk of first frost begins on October 8. By the beginning of November, you\u2019ll almost certainly get some frost. Stop watering when this happens.<\/p>
Here\u2019s more about the topic: When to Stop Watering.<\/a><\/p>
Winterize your lawn<\/span><\/h3>
Winterizing your lawn involves steps like raking and your last mow. Do this at the end of the season. Your grass will probably stop growing by the beginning of November at the latest.<\/p>
Here\u2019s how to winterize your lawn<\/a>, and here\u2019s when you can expect your grass to stop growing.<\/p>
Call a pro any time of the year<\/span><\/h2>
We know you have more on your schedule than just lawn care. But don\u2019t worry; there are plenty of pros in your area who can help. Find a pro in Tennessee.<\/a><\/p>
Main Image Credit: GPA Photo Archive<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Tennessee lawn care schedule involves jobs like lawn mower maintenance, herbicide application, cleanup, irrigation, mowing, dethatching, aeration, and seeding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":33263,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[741],"class_list":["post-33268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennessee","tag-lawn-care-tn"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/9047580154_c63e763e18_o-1.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Judith van der Weij","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/judith-gallova\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33268\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- How to Dethatch Your Lawn.<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
- Final irrigation<\/a><\/li>
- November<\/a>
- Fertilizer (warm-season grass)<\/a><\/li>
- September<\/a>
- July<\/a>
- June<\/a>
- May<\/a>
- Pre-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li>
- Pre-emergent herbicide<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Lawn mower maintenance<\/a><\/li>