{"id":44406,"date":"2026-04-14T11:23:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T11:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=44406"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:39:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:39:05","slug":"cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Lawn Care for Cool-Season and Warm-Season Grass"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-medium-font-size\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2022 <strong>Cool-season grass<\/strong> greens up when soil reaches 50-55\u00b0F (March in transition zones, April in northern states)<br>\u2022 <strong>Warm-season grass<\/strong> needs 65-70\u00b0F soil temps (late April-May in most areas)<br>\u2022 Apply <strong>pre-emergent herbicides<\/strong> before soil hits 55\u00b0F to stop crabgrass<br>\u2022 Wait until grass is <strong>50%-70% green<\/strong> before first mow or fertilization<br>\u2022 Cool-season lawns need nitrogen-rich fertilizer; warm-season lawns need balanced formulas<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spring lawn care depends on your grass type and region. Cool-season grasses (like Kentucky bluegrass and fescue) wake up early when soil hits 50-55\u00b0F, while warm-season grasses (like Bermuda and St. Augustine) stay dormant until soil reaches 65-70\u00b0F.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key is timing your lawn care\u2014mowing, fertilizing, and applying pre-emergents\u2014to match when your grass actually starts growing. Fertilize dormant grass and you&#8217;ll waste money or burn your turf. Mow too early and you&#8217;ll stunt growth.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide breaks down what to do each month based on your region and grass type. If you&#8217;d rather skip the DIY approach, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\">Lawn Love&#8217;s lawn care pros<\/a> can handle mowing, fertilizing, and weed control for you.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-065785ae-1873-4532-a129-b857f53588b9\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \"> \t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\" style=\"\"><strong>Table of Contents:\u00a0<\/strong><\/div> \t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\"> \t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column\"> \t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#0-spring-lawn-care-calendar\" style=\"\">Spring lawn care calendar<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#1-how-weather-and-temperature-affect-grass-growth\" style=\"\">How weather and temperature affect grass growth<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#4-cool-season-lawn-care-in-northern-regions\" style=\"\">Cool-season lawn care in northern regions<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#8-cool-season-lawn-care-in-the-transition-zone\" style=\"\">Cool-season lawn care in the transition zone<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#12-warm-season-lawn-care-in-the-transition-zone\" style=\"\">Warm-season lawn care in the transition zone<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#16-warm-season-lawn-care-in-southern-regions\" style=\"\">Warm-season lawn care in southern regions<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#20-how-to-manage-mixed-lawns\" style=\"\">How to manage mixed lawns<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/cool-season-vs-warm-season-grass-spring-lawn-care\/#25-faqs\" style=\"\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-spring-lawn-care-calendar\"><span id=\"spring-lawn-care-calendar\">Spring lawn care calendar<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"505\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/transition-zone-map.jpg\" alt=\"Map of the United States showing cool-season grass, warm-season grass, and transition zones.\" class=\"wp-image-20743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/transition-zone-map.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/transition-zone-map-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/transition-zone-map-768x485.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/transition-zone-map-610x385.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s what to do each month based on your region and grass type:<\/p>   \n<table id=\"tablepress-1\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-1\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\"><strong>Month<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-2\"><strong>Northern Cool-Season <\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-3\"><strong>Transition Zone Cool-Season <\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-4\"><strong>Transition Zone Warm-Season<\/strong><\/th><th class=\"column-5\"><strong>Southern Warm-Season<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">March<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2022 Rake and spread snow <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Remove debris <br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">\u2022 Remove debris<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply pre-emergent herbicides<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Mow to the recommended height once grass starts growing<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water lightly<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Test soil <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply the first round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer <\/td><td class=\"column-4\">\u2022 Remove debris    <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply pre-emergent herbicides  <\/td><td class=\"column-5\">\u2022 Remove debris   <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Mow to the recommended height once grass starts growing<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply pre-emergent herbicides<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water lightly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">April<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2022 Mow to the recommended height<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water lightly <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply pre-emergent herbicides<br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">\u2022 Keep mowing at the recommended height <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water 1 to 1.5 inches per week <br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">\u2022 Mow to the recommended height <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water lightly<br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">\u2022 Mow more frequently<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water 1 to 1.5 inches per week<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Test soil <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply balanced fertilizer<br \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">May<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u2022 Mow more frequently<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water 1 to 1.5 inches per week <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Use post-emergent herbicides <br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">\u2022 Mow more frequently  <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Keep watering 1 to 1.5 inches per week <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Apply the second round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Use post-emergent herbicides<br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-4\">\u2022 Mow more frequently<br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Water 1 to 1.5 inches per week <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Use post-emergent herbicides<br \/>\n<\/td><td class=\"column-5\">\u2022 Keep mowing at the recommended height <br \/>\n<br \/>\n\u2022 Use post-emergent herbicides<br \/>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-how-weather-and-temperature-affect-grass-growth\"><span id=\"how-weather-and-temperature-affect-grass-growth\">How weather and temperature affect grass growth<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Soil temperature matters more than air temperature for grass growth. Check it by inserting a soil thermometer 3-4 inches deep in both sunny and shaded spots. Take readings mid-morning (8-10 am) for at least 2-3 days since temperatures fluctuate.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-cool-season-grass-\"><span id=\"cool-season-grass\"><strong>Cool-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1.jpg\" alt=\"illustration showing growth timeline for cool-season grass\" class=\"wp-image-17693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/cool-season-grass-1-610x343.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Wakes up at:<\/strong> 50-55\u00b0F soil temperature<\/li>    <li><strong>Active growth:<\/strong> 60-75\u00b0F<\/li>    <li><strong>Goes dormant:<\/strong> Below 50\u00b0F<\/li>    <li><strong>Growth season:<\/strong> Spring and fall<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass thrive in northern and central regions. They green up early in spring, slow down in summer heat, then surge again in fall.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-warm-season-grass-\"><span id=\"warm-season-grass\"><strong>Warm-season grass<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass.jpg\" alt=\"illustration showing growth timeline for warm-season grass\" class=\"wp-image-17692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/warm-season-grass-610x343.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><strong>Wakes up at:<\/strong> 65-70\u00b0F soil temperature<\/li>    <li><strong>Active growth:<\/strong> 80-95\u00b0F<\/li>    <li><strong>Goes dormant:<\/strong> Below 65\u00b0F<\/li>    <li><strong>Growth season:<\/strong> Late spring through summer<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine dominate southern regions and the transition zone. They stay dormant longer into spring and only green up when soil consistently hits 65\u00b0F.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-cool-season-lawn-care-in-northern-regions\"><span id=\"cool-season-lawn-care-in-northern-regions\">Cool-season lawn care in northern regions<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/winter-lawn-1.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of green grass covered in patches of snow and ice, illustrating a common winter lawn scenario.\" class=\"wp-image-44412\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/winter-lawn-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/winter-lawn-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/winter-lawn-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/winter-lawn-1-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Close-up of grass covered with snow. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/grass-under-snow\/19498064\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Zhanna Prokopeva<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Northern states experience long winters and slow spring warm-ups. Don&#8217;t rush to mow or fertilize\u2014wait for consistent growth.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-march-\"><span id=\"march\"><strong>March<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spread snow evenly with a rake to prevent uneven green-up and snow mold. After snow melts (usually mid-March), remove leaves, sticks, and debris.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-april-\"><span id=\"april\"><strong>April<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass start growing fast. Mow to the recommended height but never remove more than one-third of the blade\u2014cutting too short stresses grass and invites weeds.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water lightly once or twice weekly if there&#8217;s no rain, keeping soil moist but not saturated.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent crabgrass germination.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-may-\"><span id=\"may\"><strong>May<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Increase mowing frequency to about 6 times monthly as temps reach 60-75\u00b0F. Test your soil and apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grass needs 1-1.5 inches of water weekly (including rainfall). Water deeply twice a week rather than lightly every day to encourage deep root growth.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hand-pull broadleaf weeds like clover and plantain immediately. If there are too many, use post-emergent herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba, or triclopyr.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-mow-lawn\/\">How to Mow a Lawn the Right Way<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/one-third-rule-of-mowing\/\">What\u2019s the One-Third Rule of Mowing?<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-apply-pre-emergent-herbicide\/\">When to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-apply-pre-emergent-herbicides\/\">How to Apply Pre-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-time-to-water-grass\/\">When Is the Best Time to Water Your Grass?<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-long-should-water-lawn\/\">How Long Should You Water Your Lawn?<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/when-to-apply-post-emergent-herbicide\/\">When to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-apply-post-emergent-herbicides\/\">How to Apply Post-Emergent Herbicides<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-cool-season-lawn-care-in-the-transition-zone\"><span id=\"cool-season-lawn-care-in-the-transition-zone\">Cool-season lawn care in the transition zone<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transition zone areas warm up faster in spring, so cool-season grasses green up earlier than in the northern regions. But there can still be some fluctuations in temperature, so wait until you see real grass growth before taking any major actions.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-march\"><span id=\"march-2\">March<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remove debris after the last snowfall. Apply pre-emergent in mid-March before soil warms enough for weed germination.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grass usually starts growing in late March. Mow to the recommended height once you confirm growth.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Test your soil and apply the first round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Water lightly before and after fertilizing to help nutrients soak in.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-april-\"><span id=\"april-2\">April&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep mowing weekly and water 1-1.5 inches per week for healthy growth.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-may-\"><span id=\"may-2\">May&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Increase mowing to twice weekly when temps reach 60-75\u00b0F.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply a second nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Hand-pull weeds like clover or dandelions immediately, or use post-emergent herbicides if they&#8217;ve spread.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-soil-test-your-lawn\/\">How to Test Your Lawn Soil: DIY vs Lab Methods<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-n-p-k\/\">What is N-P-K: A Guide to Understanding Fertilizer Ratios<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/best-height-cut-grass\/\">The Best Height to Cut Your Grass<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-warm-season-lawn-care-in-the-transition-zone\"><span id=\"warm-season-lawn-care-in-the-transition-zone\">Warm-season lawn care in the transition zone<\/span><\/h2>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/yard-cleanup.jpg\" alt=\"Man placing autumn leaves into black plastic bag with rake lying on ground nearby.\" class=\"wp-image-40682\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/yard-cleanup.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/yard-cleanup-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/yard-cleanup-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/yard-cleanup-610x406.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cleaning leaves. Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/man-placing-autumn-leaves-into-black-plastic-bag-with-rake-lying-on-ground-nearby-sweden\/1072651419\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alex<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Transition zones don&#8217;t warm enough until May for warm-season grasses to break dormancy. Don&#8217;t mow or fertilize too early.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-march\"><span id=\"march-3\">March<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In most transition zone areas, temperatures are still cold in March, so your grass will remain dormant. Just remove fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from your lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply pre-emergent herbicide in late March when soil temps stay around 55-60\u00b0F for a few consecutive days. In cooler states like Delaware and West Virginia, wait until early-to-mid April.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-april-\"><span id=\"april-3\">April&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As temps climb into the 60s, grass slowly wakes up. Wait until at least 50% has greened up before mowing (usually late April, or early May in cooler areas).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mow to the recommended height. Water lightly if there&#8217;s no rain to keep soil moist..&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-may-\"><span id=\"may-3\">May&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In early May, temps still range 65-75\u00b0F\u2014below ideal growth temperature. By late May, temps hit the 80s in most states.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start weekly mowing and increase watering to 1-1.5 inches per week (including rainfall).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hand-pull broadleaf weeds immediately or use post-emergents containing 2,4-D, dicamba, or triclopyr.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/signs-your-lawn-needs-watering\/\">7 Signs Your Lawn Needs Watering<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-identify-control-broadleaf-weeds\/\">How to Identify and Control Broadleaf Weeds<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-warm-season-lawn-care-in-southern-regions\"><span id=\"warm-season-lawn-care-in-southern-regions\">Warm-season lawn care in southern regions<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Southern states warm early, so warm-season grasses green up much sooner than in transition zones.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-march\"><span id=\"march-4\">March<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Temps often rise above 60\u00b0F in March. You&#8217;ll see green patches quickly, but wait until April to fertilize.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remove debris. Once grass is 50% green, start mowing to the recommended height. Apply pre-emergents to stop crabgrass.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water lightly if there&#8217;s no rain.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-april-\"><span id=\"april-4\">April&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Temps reach the 80s in most southern regions. Keep mowing regularly and increase watering to 1-1.5 inches weekly (including rainfall).<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mid-April is ideal for fertilizing.<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/diy-soil-test\/\"> Test your soil<\/a> and apply a balanced fertilizer to strengthen turf for summer heat and drought.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-may-\"><span id=\"may-4\">May&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continue regular mowing and watering. If you skipped April fertilization, do it now.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hand-pull broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover as they sprout. If they&#8217;ve spread, use post-emergent herbicides.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-how-to-manage-mixed-lawns\"><span id=\"how-to-manage-mixed-lawns\">How to manage mixed lawns<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mixed lawns (both cool- and warm-season grass) are common in transition zones. One grass grows while the other stays dormant, so you need to balance care for both.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"21-adjust-mowing-for-growing-grass-\"><span id=\"adjust-mowing-for-growing-grass\">Adjust mowing for growing grass&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grasses green up early March in transition zones. Mow at 4 inches to avoid cutting dormant warm-season grass. Keep this height until mid-April when warm-season grasses wake up.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By late May, both grass types grow actively. Mow at a height that works for your dominant species.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"22-hold-off-on-fertilizing-until-may\"><span id=\"hold-off-on-fertilizing-until-may\">Hold off on fertilizing until May<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grasses grow well in late March, but don&#8217;t fertilize yet\u2014it pushes them too hard while warm-season grass stays dormant. Wait until early May when warm-season grasses green up, then apply <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-slow-release-fertilizer\/\">slow-release fertilizer<\/a>.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your lawn is mostly cool-season grass, use nitrogen-rich fertilizer for spring growth. If warm-season grass dominates, use balanced fertilizer for steady growth and summer strength.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"23-adjust-watering-gradually-\"><span id=\"adjust-watering-gradually\">Adjust watering gradually&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water lightly in late March as cool-season grasses start growing to keep soil moist. As temps reach the 60s in mid-April, increase to about an inch weekly. Gradually increase to 1.5 inches weekly (including rainfall) by mid-May.&nbsp;<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"24-watch-out-for-weeds\"><span id=\"watch-out-for-weeds\">Watch out for weeds<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mixed lawns attract more weeds because one grass type is always weaker. Apply pre-emergents in early spring to prevent crabgrass.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover appear in late May. Hand-pull them immediately or apply post-emergent herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba, or triclopyr if they&#8217;ve spread.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/broadleaf-weeds-vs-grassy-weeds\/\">Broadleaf vs Grassy Weeds: How to Tell Them Apart<\/a><\/li>    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/organic-vs-inorganic-fertilizers\/\">Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"25-faqs\"><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>    <div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1769922360630\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I fertilize cool-season and warm-season grass at the same time?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Cool-season grasses need fertilizer in early spring (March-April) when actively growing, while warm-season grasses should be fertilized in late spring (April-May) after they&#8217;ve broken dormancy. Fertilizing at the wrong time wastes nutrients and can damage grass.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1769922366491\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">What&#8217;s the best way to tell if my grass is actually growing or just greening up?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Check blade height over 3-4 days. If blades are noticeably taller, your grass is actively growing. If it&#8217;s just changing color but not getting taller, it&#8217;s still waking up\u2014wait to mow or fertilize.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1769922374441\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I aerate my lawn in spring?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><strong><br\/><\/strong>For cool-season grass, spring aeration works if you have compaction issues, though fall is better. For warm-season grass, wait until late spring or early summer when it&#8217;s actively growing. Never aerate dormant grass.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1769922380041\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is it too late to apply pre-emergent if I already see some weeds sprouting?\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, pre-emergents only prevent seeds from germinating\u2014they won&#8217;t kill existing weeds. If weeds have already sprouted, you&#8217;ll need post-emergent herbicides instead. Apply pre-emergent earlier next season before soil temps hit 55\u00b0F.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"26-get-professional-spring-lawn-care\"><span id=\"get-professional-spring-lawn-care\">Get professional spring lawn care<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spring lawn care timing is everything. Mow, fertilize, or apply pre-emergents at the wrong time and you&#8217;ll stress your grass instead of helping it thrive.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\">Lawn Love&#8217;s local lawn care pros<\/a> know exactly when to care for your grass type and region. We handle <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-mowing\/\">mowing<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-fertilization\/\">fertilization<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/weed-control\/\">weed control<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/lawn-aeration\/\">aeration<\/a>\u2014all at a price you&#8217;ll love. Get a free quote in seconds.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Image: Healthy green spring lawn with surrounding trees. Image Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/stock.adobe.com\/images\/beautiful-trees-and-green-grass-in-the-garden-lawn-in-the-garden\/302856940\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fangzhou<\/a> \/ Adobe Stock<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spring lawn care depends on your region and grass type. Cool-season grasses wake up early and start growing as soon as the snow melts, while warm-season grasses stay dormant until the soil warms up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":44416,"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":[126],"tags":[226],"class_list":["post-44406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care-tips"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/lawn-in-spring.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Abdul Wadood","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/abdul-wadood\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44406","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\/113"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44406"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48153,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44406\/revisions\/48153"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}