What to do for your lawn each season, for cool-season grasses (northern lawns) and warm-season grasses (southern lawns). Exact timing depends on your local climate, so check your frost dates or local extension service.
| Season | Cool-season grass (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) | Warm-season grass (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede) |
|---|---|---|
| Early spring | Rake out debris. Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control when soil temperatures reach about 55°F. Service the mower and sharpen the blade. | Rake out debris. Apply pre-emergent when soil reaches about 55°F. Wait for the lawn to green up before fertilizing. |
| Late spring | Light feeding if needed. Start mowing at the high end of the recommended height. Spot-treat broadleaf weeds. | Fertilize once the lawn is fully green and actively growing. Best time to seed, sod or plug bare spots. |
| Summer | Mow high and water deeply but less often (about 1 inch a week including rain). Avoid heavy fertilizing in heat. Watch for grubs. | Peak growth: mow often, fertilize per label, water deeply in dry spells. Good time to dethatch or core aerate. |
| Early fall | Best time to core aerate, overseed and fertilize. Keep new seed moist until it is established. | Last feeding about 6–8 weeks before the first expected frost. Stop aerating and dethatching. |
| Late fall | Final fertilizer application before the ground freezes (common for northern lawns). Keep mowing until growth stops. Remove fallen leaves. | Lawn goes dormant and turns tan. Keep leaves off the grass. Apply pre-emergent for winter weeds if they are a problem. |
| Winter | Stay off frozen or frosty grass. Clean and store tools. | Water dormant grass lightly during long dry spells. Plan spring repairs. |
Always follow the label on fertilizer, weed control and seed. The label is the legal and safe rate. Timing shifts with your climate: your local cooperative extension service publishes a calendar for your area. From Backyard with Ben, www.backyardwithben.com/checklists/lawn-care-calendar
AI-generatedLawn CareFertilize cool-season grass mainly in early fall with a lighter feeding in spring, and feed warm-season grass from late spring through summer while it's actively growing. Soil temperature, not the calendar, is the real signal.
AI-generatedLawn CareTo overseed a lawn, mow short, rake out thatch, spread seed at the bag's overseeding rate, rake it in and keep the soil moist until it sprouts. Cool-season lawns do best from mid-August to early October.
AI-generatedLawn CareIdentify whether you're dealing with broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds or sedges, then treat each at the right time with a selective product or by hand. A thick, well-mowed lawn is the best long-term weed control.
AI-generatedLawn CareMost thin, patchy lawns are the result of everyday habits: mowing too short, watering a little every day, dull blades, bagging every clipping and fertilizing blind. Here are seven to stop and what to do instead.
Top-rated tool picks, smart buying tips and practical backyard guides. Straight to your inbox. No spam.
