{"id":8197,"date":"2022-02-27T22:17:32","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T22:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/?p=8197"},"modified":"2026-03-11T21:50:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:50:47","slug":"guide-to-cool-season-grasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Cool-Season Grasses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you live in the northern U.S., you likely have cool-season grass. Cool-season grasses flourish in the cool weather of fall and spring and may go dormant in the hot summer months. These versatile grasses grow in the transition zone as well, further extending their reach in that hard-to-grow section of the country.<\/p>   <div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-63200af5-8ce5-4078-90e3-2d7776914683\" 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=\"\">In this article:<\/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\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#0-where-do-cool-season-grasses-grow\" style=\"\">Where do cool-season grasses grow?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#1-which-types-of-cool-season-grasses-can-i-plant\" style=\"\">Which types of cool-season grasses can I plant?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#2-how-to-grow-cool-season-grass\" style=\"\">How to grow cool-season grass<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#3-before-you-plant\" style=\"\">Before you plant<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#4-seed\" style=\"\">Seed<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#5-sod\" style=\"\">Sod<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#6-hydroseed\" style=\"\">Hydroseed<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#7-how-to-mow-cool-season-grass\" style=\"\">How to mow cool-season grass<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#8-one-third-rule-of-mowing\" style=\"\">One-third rule of mowing<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#9-how-tall-should-you-mow\" style=\"\">How tall should you mow?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#10-mulch-the-clippings\" style=\"\">Mulch the clippings?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#11-keep-the-blade-sharp\" style=\"\">Keep the blade sharp<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#12-adjust-your-mowing-pattern\" style=\"\">Adjust your mowing pattern<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#13-wait-until-it%E2%80%99s-dry\" style=\"\">Wait until it\u2019s dry<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#14-how-to-maintain-cool-season-grass\" style=\"\">How to maintain cool-season grass<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#15-water-deeply\" style=\"\">Water deeply<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#16-fertilize-in-the-fall\" style=\"\">Fertilize in the fall<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#17-aerate-to-reduce-compaction\" style=\"\">Aerate to reduce compaction<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#18-dethatch-to-get-rid-of-that-spongy-layer\" style=\"\">Dethatch to get rid of that spongy layer<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#19-overseed-to-fill-in-the-bald-spots\" style=\"\">Overseed to fill in the bald spots<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#20-control-unwanted-weeds\" style=\"\">Control unwanted weeds<\/a><ul><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#21-step-1-what%E2%80%99s-its-name\" style=\"\">Step 1: What\u2019s its name?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#22-step-2-when-does-it-grow\" style=\"\">Step 2: When does it grow?<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#23-step-3-how-to-treat-the-weeds\" style=\"\">Step 3: How to treat the weeds<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/guide-to-cool-season-grasses\/#24-pests-and-diseases-of-cool-season-grasses\" style=\"\">Pests and diseases of cool-season grasses<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>   <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-where-do-cool-season-grasses-grow\"><span id=\"where-do-cool-season-grasses-grow\">Where do cool-season grasses grow?<\/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\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones.png\" alt=\"illustration showing the cool and warm season grasses on the US map, along with the transitional zone\" class=\"wp-image-4479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-300x189.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-768x485.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-610x385.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/rsz_grass_zones-390x246.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season turfgrass grows across the upper and middle bands of the U.S. These zones are called the cool-season zone and transition zone.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grasses loathe the heat of summer and most often transition into dormancy. Some grasses will stay green with supplemental water. To keep a green color on your summer lawn without the extra expense on your water bill, use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-lawn-spray-painting\/\">lawn spray paint<\/a> to keep it emerald green.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you live in the transition zone, check with your local Cooperative Extension office to ask whether cool- or warm-season grass is best. Some warm-season grasses, such as Zoysiagrass, have good cold tolerance and are often used in transition zone lawns.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-which-types-of-cool-season-grasses-can-i-plant\"><span id=\"which-types-of-cool-season-grasses-can-i-plant\">Which types of cool-season grasses can I plant?<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose from these popular cool-season turfgrasses:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Fine fescue (includes chewings fescue, hard fescue, sheep fescue, slender creeping red fescue, and strong creeping red fescue)<\/li>    <li>Kentucky bluegrass<\/li>    <li>Perennial ryegrass<\/li>    <li>Tall fescue<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Annual ryegrass isn\u2019t on our list since it isn\u2019t a perennial turfgrass species.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-how-to-grow-cool-season-grass\"><span id=\"how-to-grow-cool-season-grass\">How to grow cool-season grass<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn how to seed, sod, and hydroseed a cool-season lawn.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Seed<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Sod<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tall fescue<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perennial ryegrass<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kentucky bluegrass<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fine fescue<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><td>\u2713<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-before-you-plant\"><span id=\"before-you-plant\">Before you plant<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you make a large investment in time, resources, and water, it\u2019s a good idea to do the necessary prep work and set your lawn up for success. In addition to proper site preparation, a soil test will measure the pH, macronutrients, and various micronutrients. If you\u2019re low on any of these nutrients, now\u2019s the time to get your soil in balance.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-seed\"><span id=\"seed\">Seed<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DIYers and homeowners on a budget often choose to seed their cool-season lawn. With proper site prep, seeding at the right time of year, and proper watering, homeowners can achieve a healthy, full cool-season lawn with seed.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you go to the store or search online, don\u2019t be surprised to find cool-season grasses in a mix (more than one grass species in the bag). Cool-season mixes allow you to take advantage of the strengths of each grass and create a more resilient lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When do I plant cool-season grass?<\/strong> The best time to plant cool-season grass is late summer or early fall. The second best time is in spring.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How often do I water? <\/strong>Water your new lawn one to three times per day until the grass germinates. Keep the soil moist but never soggy.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-sod\"><span id=\"sod\">Sod<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season sod can be installed any time of year, but fall is best. High summer temps (above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) mean <a href=\"https:\/\/www.extension.purdue.edu\/extmedia\/AY\/AY-28-W.pdf#page=5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">some grasses won\u2019t put down roots<\/a> until soil and air temperatures drop. If this is the case in your lawn, keep it well-watered until these temps drop sufficiently and the grass starts to root.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, you can install cool-season sod in the coldest winter months (\u201cdormant sodding\u201d), but this is not ideal. It leaves the grass more at risk of winter injury and dry-out.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-hydroseed\"><span id=\"hydroseed\">Hydroseed<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hydroseeding is the most economical option for a large lot. <strong>What is hydroseed? <\/strong>Hydroseed is a slurry of grass seed, fertilizer, stabilizers, and water that is sprayed onto the soil.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hydroseeding is ideal for large areas and slopes. The thick consistency helps prevent erosion until the grass roots take hold. It is a popular solution for roadsides and large commercial areas as well as large home landscapes.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re intrigued and want to learn more, check out our article, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/blog-landscaping-hydroseeding\/\">Hydroseeding: How to Spray Grass Seed on Your Lawn<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-how-to-mow-cool-season-grass\"><span id=\"how-to-mow-cool-season-grass\">How to mow cool-season grass<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proper mowing is the foundation of good lawn care. Follow these easy tips to mow your way towards a healthy lawn.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-one-third-rule-of-mowing\"><span id=\"one-third-rule-of-mowing\">One-third rule of mowing<\/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\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration.png\" alt=\"illustration explaining the one-third rule for mowing grass\" class=\"wp-image-5960\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration-610x343.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_1lawnlove-one-third-rule-illustration-390x219.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The one-third rule of mowing is simple: Remove no more than one-third of the blade per mow. This sounds trivial, but it\u2019s one of the most important things you can do for the health of your lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taking off more than one-third of the blade at a time puts too much stress on the grass. So, take it easy on your lawn. If the lawn gets a little too high, take the height down over a few mows.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-how-tall-should-you-mow\"><span id=\"how-tall-should-you-mow\">How tall should you mow?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you go to the hairdresser, you have a length in mind. So does your grass. Grass heights are specific to your grass species and have a huge impact on the health of your lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, did you know that shoot growth and root growth mirror each other? The taller you cut the lawn (within its recommended range), the <a href=\"https:\/\/ag.umass.edu\/home-lawn-garden\/fact-sheets\/lawn-mowing#:~:text=the%20root%20systems%20of%20grasses%20generally%20become%20shorter%20and%20less%20prolific%20as%20cutting%20height%20is%20reduced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">deeper the roots grow<\/a>.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass name<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Ideal<\/strong><br><strong>lawn height*<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Mow when <\/strong><br><strong>grass reaches <\/strong><br><strong>this height<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tall fescue<\/td><td>2-4 inches<\/td><td>2.5-5.25 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu\/pubs\/MF1155.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perennial ryegrass<\/a><\/td><td>2-3 inches<\/td><td>2.5-4 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.extension.iastate.edu\/turfgrass\/mowing-your-lawn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kentucky bluegrass<\/a><\/td><td>2-3 inches<\/td><td>2.5-4 inches<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fine fescue<\/td><td>1.5-3 inches<\/td><td>2-4 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*These heights may vary slightly by region. Check with your local Cooperative Extension office for the best mowing heights for your area.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-mulch-the-clippings\"><span id=\"mulch-the-clippings\">Mulch the clippings?<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many reasons why <strong>it\u2019s a good idea to mulch the grass clippings<\/strong>:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2713 Clippings do <strong>not<\/strong> contribute to thatch buildup<br>\u2713 Grass and leaf clippings are rich in nutrients, such as nitrogen&nbsp;<br>\u2713 Clippings supply up to <a href=\"https:\/\/ohioline.osu.edu\/factsheet\/hyg-1189-99#:~:text=grass%20clippings%20contain%20valuable%20nutrients%20that%20can%20generate%20up%20to%2025%25%20of%20a%20lawn's%20total%20fertilizer%20needs.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">25% of your annual fertilizer<\/a> for free<br>\u2713 Reduce landfill waste<br>\u2713 Help control erosion by keeping the soil covered<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are all good reasons to get out your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-a-mulching-lawn-mower\/\">mulching mower<\/a> and leave these finely-chopped clippings on your lawn. However, there are <strong>a few cases when you\u2019ll need to bag the clippings<\/strong>:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 If you have a fungus on the lawn.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211;Dispose of these clippings in a green waste or trash bin.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 Too many leaves.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211;If leaves cover more than half the lawn, bag and compost them.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 Weed seeds.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211;If weeds have gone to seed, dispose of the clippings in a green waste bin.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2717 If the lawn is overgrown.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211;If your lawn looks more like a prairie than a lawn, bag, and compost these clippings.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-keep-the-blade-sharp\"><span id=\"keep-the-blade-sharp\">Keep the blade sharp<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one wants a dull, ragged-looking lawn. A sharp tool is an effective tool. Keep your mower blades sharp so that you\u2019ll have a lawn that is <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-mowing-tips-and-tricks\/#0-start-with-a-sharp-blade\">nicely cut, not torn, and jagged<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let the lawn tell you when to sharpen your blade. When you see <strong>grass blades that look torn<\/strong> instead of cut, it\u2019s time.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"12-adjust-your-mowing-pattern\"><span id=\"adjust-your-mowing-pattern\">Adjust your mowing pattern<\/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\/2021\/10\/rsz_mowing-patterns.png\" alt=\"illustration showing the different types of mowing patterns for your lawn\" class=\"wp-image-5991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_mowing-patterns.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_mowing-patterns-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_mowing-patterns-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_mowing-patterns-610x343.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_mowing-patterns-390x219.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/neilsperry.com\/2017\/08\/vary-mowing-patterns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Change up your mowing pattern<\/a> each week and see what it does for your lawn\u2019s appearance. This simple practice, which costs zero time or money, can help your lawn look <strong>more uniform and healthy<\/strong>, avoid ruts, and prevent the grass from leaning in one direction.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Week 1: Mow vertically<\/li>    <li>Week 2: Mow diagonally<\/li>    <li>Week 3: Mow horizontally<\/li>    <li>Week 4: Mow diagonally (from the opposite direction in week 2)<\/li> <\/ul>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"13-wait-until-it%E2%80%99s-dry\"><span id=\"wait-until-its-dry\">Wait until it\u2019s dry<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one likes to mow a wet lawn. Wet mows create <strong>ruts<\/strong>, contribute to <strong>soil compaction<\/strong>, and leave <strong>clumps of grass<\/strong> on your mower and lawn.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes you have no other choice, but avoid it if you can. If you see rain in the forecast, time your mowing before or well after for a healthier and better-looking lawn.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"14-how-to-maintain-cool-season-grass\"><span id=\"how-to-maintain-cool-season-grass\">How to maintain cool-season grass<\/span><\/h2>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"15-water-deeply\"><span id=\"water-deeply\">Water deeply<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plan to apply from <strong>1-1 \u00bd inches of water per week<\/strong> if there\u2019s no rain. Each grass and every lawn will present its own set of needs. So, <strong>how do you know when to water?<\/strong> Let the grass tell you. Look for wilt, color change, and footprints that stay on the lawn. When you see one or more of these symptoms, it\u2019s time to water.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Water established lawns <strong>once<\/strong> per week to 10 days. Deep and infrequent watering sends the roots down into the soil to look for water. Shallow, frequent watering will create a shallow root system, weakening the lawn overall.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a <strong>notable exception<\/strong> here: <strong>Sandy soils may need to be watered every few days<\/strong>, with a half-inch or so of water each time. <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/soil-types\/#2-2-sandy-soil\">Sandy soils<\/a> don\u2019t retain water well and need to drink more frequently.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"16-fertilize-in-the-fall\"><span id=\"fertilize-in-the-fall\">Fertilize in the fall<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In between football games and fall festivals, make room on your fall weekend calendar for cool-season lawn chores. <strong>Fall is the time to fertilize, aerate, dethatch, and overseed your cool-season lawn<\/strong>.<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Grass Type<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>How Much Nitrogen To Use (per 1,000 square feet per year)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Tall fescue<\/td><td>1-3.5 pounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perennial ryegrass<\/td><td>1-5 pounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kentucky bluegrass<\/td><td>1-5 pounds<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fine fescue<\/td><td>1-2 pounds<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"17-aerate-to-reduce-compaction\"><span id=\"aerate-to-reduce-compaction\">Aerate to reduce compaction<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png\" alt=\"illustration showing how aeration works and the benefits of aerating soil\" class=\"wp-image-5850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration.png 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-610x305.png 610w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/rsz_aeration-390x195.png 390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-aerate-your-lawn-2\/\">aeration<\/a>? Aeration opens up channels in the soil for more air, water, and nutrients to get through. Core aeration pulls plugs of soil from the lawn and is a boon to the short- and long-term health of your grass.&nbsp;<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aeration could be a great benefit to your lawn if you have:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Frequent foot traffic on the lawn<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Vehicles or heavy equipment often on your lawn.<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Heavy, clay soil<\/li> <\/ul>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Compacted soil<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aerating your lawn in fall will make your grass healthier throughout the year.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"18-dethatch-to-get-rid-of-that-spongy-layer\"><span id=\"dethatch-to-get-rid-of-that-spongy-layer\">Dethatch to get rid of that spongy layer<\/span><\/h3>    <figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration comparing healthy grass and unhealthy grass, showing thick thatch layer above soil on unhealthy side and dense roots on healthy side.\" class=\"wp-image-45317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/thatch-illustration-610x305.jpg 610w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is thatch?<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/what-is-thatch\/\">Thatch<\/a> is a spongy layer of dead roots, stems, and other undigested organic matter that sits on top of the soil. Less than a half-inch is usually fine, but any more than that, and water and nutrients can\u2019t reach the soil surface where they\u2019re needed.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have these grasses, keep an eye on your thatch levels:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Fine fescue<\/li>    <li>Kentucky bluegrass<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once thatch reaches a half-inch or above, rent a dethatching machine in the fall (or use a hand dethatching rake for very small areas) to take care of this problem. If thatch <em>and<\/em> soil compaction are an issue, plan to dethatch and aerate for the best results.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"19-overseed-to-fill-in-the-bald-spots\"><span id=\"overseed-to-fill-in-the-bald-spots\">Overseed to fill in the bald spots<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your lawn has succumbed to summer stresses, disease, or insects, why not throw down a little extra seed to fill in those gaps? Overseeding helps the lawn to have a full, thick appearance once again after the stresses of heat and summer.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip: <\/strong>Plan to fertilize, aerate\/dethatch, and overseed on the same day. Learn the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/how-to-over-seed-a-lawn\/\">4 Steps to Overseed a Lawn<\/a>\u201d to make this fall lawn chore a snap.<\/p>    <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"20-control-unwanted-weeds\"><span id=\"control-unwanted-weeds\">Control unwanted weeds<\/span><\/h3>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weed control is a never-ending chore, but there is hope. It takes consistent, persistent work, but you\u2019re likely to see results over time.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow these three simple steps to reduce the pesky weeds in your lawn.<\/p>    <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"21-step-1-what%E2%80%99s-its-name\"><span id=\"step-1-whats-its-name\">Step 1: What\u2019s its name?<\/span><\/h4>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, know what you\u2019re dealing with. What\u2019s its name? Once you ID your weed, you\u2019ll know its good points,not-so-good points, and how to tackle it head-on.<\/p>    <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"22-step-2-when-does-it-grow\"><span id=\"step-2-when-does-it-grow\">Step 2: When does it grow?<\/span><\/h4>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every weed has to germinate before it can grow. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/landscaping-how-to-control-broadleaf-weeds\/\">Broadleaf weeds<\/a> fall into <a href=\"https:\/\/turf.purdue.edu\/winter-annual-weeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">four categories<\/a>:<\/p>    <figure class=\"wp-block-table aligncenter is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Type of weed<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>When it lives <\/strong><br><strong>and dies<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Summer annual<\/td><td>Summer annuals <br>germinate in spring, <br>grow in summer, <br>and die in fall or winter.<\/td><td>Crabgrass<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Winter annual<\/td><td>Winter annuals sprout <br>in fall or winter, grow <br>in spring and die <br>with the summer heat.<\/td><td>Common chickweed<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Biennial weed<\/td><td>Biennial weeds <br>live for two years.<\/td><td>Garlic mustard<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Perennial weed<\/td><td>Perennial weeds <br>live three or more <br>years.<\/td><td>Dandelion<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>    <h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"23-step-3-how-to-treat-the-weeds\"><span id=\"step-3-how-to-treat-the-weeds\">Step 3: How to treat the weeds<\/span><\/h4>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few different approaches:<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The low-maintenance approach<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider your weeds an asset to the ecological diversity of your lawn. Mow regularly, and nothing more.<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The intensive approach<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Apply <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-pre-emergent-herbicides-how-when-to-apply\/\">pre-emergents<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\/blog\/lawn-care-tips-post-emergent-herbicides\/\">post-emergents<\/a> as needed to knock down these weeds before and after they sprout. (Remember, there are chemical and <a href=\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/non-toxic-weed-control\/\">natural weed control<\/a> options, even for intensive weed control.)<\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>The \u201cI only care about my flower beds\u201d approach<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You hand-pull or treat weeds in your flower beds. Weeds in the lawn get the mow-only treatment.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> A full, dense lawn is the best defense against weeds.<\/p>    <h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"24-pests-and-diseases-of-cool-season-grasses\"><span id=\"pests-and-diseases-of-cool-season-grasses\">Pests and diseases of cool-season grasses<\/span><\/h2>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cool-season grasses have their share of unsightly diseases and pesky critters. Here are a few you may run across:<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common Diseases<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Gray leaf spot<\/li>    <li>Dollar spot<\/li>    <li>Rust<\/li>    <li>Red thread<\/li>    <li>Blight<\/li>    <li>Snow molds<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Common Insects<\/strong><\/p>    <ul class=\"wp-block-list\"> <li>Grubs<\/li>    <li>Sod webworms<\/li>    <li>Billbugs<\/li>    <li>Aphids<\/li>    <li>Armyworms<\/li>    <li>Chinch bugs<\/li> <\/ul>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The steps we outlined above for weed control (What\u2019s its name?, When does it grow?, How to treat) also apply here. Follow these simple steps to gain control over these pesky lawn problems. And remember that your weekly and seasonal lawn maintenance go a long way in preventing and reducing the severity of lawn problems that crop up throughout the year.<\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>If your fall season is too full, contact one of our <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.lawnlove.com\"><em>local lawn care pros<\/em><\/a><em> to take care of your seasonal and weekly lawn maintenance.<\/em><\/p>    <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Main Photo Credit: Guillaume Meurice | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/green-grass-with-dew-3363555\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pexels<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you live in the northern U.S., you likely have cool-season grass. Cool-season grasses flourish in the cool weather of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":8207,"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":[298],"tags":[222,147],"class_list":["post-8197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-landscaping","tag-landscaping","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_pexels-guillaume-meurice-3363555.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sarah Bahr","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/sarah-bahr\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8197","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\/39"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8197"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45413,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8197\/revisions\/45413"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}