A lawn care calendar released on Mar. 26 provides detailed guidance for maintaining cool-season grasses, highlighting that the most intensive work occurs during spring and fall, while summer requires lighter attention.
This seasonal approach is important because it helps homeowners focus their efforts when grass is actively growing and most in need of support. The calendar aims to help keep lawns healthy by breaking down tasks month by month.
According to the calendar, early spring is a key time for cleaning up debris, raking matted turf, applying pre-emergent herbicide, fertilizing based on soil test results, and performing the first mow of the season. As temperatures rise into late spring and summer, tasks shift toward gradually raising mowing heights, monitoring for pests and diseases, spot-treating weeds with post-emergent herbicide if necessary, and adjusting watering routines depending on rainfall or drought conditions. Homeowners are advised to provide about 1–1.5 inches of water per week during active growth periods.
Fall brings another period of intense activity with recommendations to test soil quality—ideally every three to five years—apply amendments as needed (such as sulfur or lime), aerate compacted soil (especially clay-heavy lawns), dethatch if accumulation exceeds half an inch every two to five years, overseed thin areas after aeration, apply fertilizer spaced four to six weeks apart according to soil needs, remove leaves regularly from the lawn surface, and lower mowing height before winter dormancy sets in.
Winter generally requires minimal upkeep unless conditions are dry; in those cases supplemental watering every three or four weeks may be necessary if air temperatures stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Occasional mowing might still be required in milder climates.
The guide also notes that tall fescue and fine fescues are considered low-maintenance due to their drought tolerance and disease resistance. In contrast, Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass can be more demanding because they require frequent fertilization and mowing. For homeowners seeking convenience or unable to keep up with weekly mowing schedules during peak seasons of growth, hiring a professional lawn care service is suggested.
