A new lawn care calendar released on Mar. 13 provides homeowners with a detailed guide to maintaining warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass and zoysiagrass throughout the year. The calendar highlights that the most intensive lawn care occurs from late spring through early fall, when these grass types experience their fastest growth.
The guidance is important for homeowners seeking to keep their lawns healthy and attractive, especially in regions where warm-season grasses are common. Regular maintenance can help prevent problems like weeds, pests, and disease while promoting strong turf growth.
According to the calendar, spring tasks include cleaning up debris, raking matted turf, applying pre-emergent herbicide, and providing supplemental water if needed. As temperatures rise and grass begins to grow actively in mid- to late spring, mowing should begin and continue weekly during peak periods. Homeowners are advised not to remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s height in a single cut and to mow only when the grass is dry.
Late spring through early summer is recommended for dethatching, aerating compacted soil, overseeding thin areas, fertilizing based on soil test results, and irrigating as necessary. Summer maintenance focuses on continued fertilization if indicated by soil tests, regular irrigation—preferably before 10 a.m.—and vigilant monitoring for pests or disease. Raising mowing heights during hot months helps protect against heat stress and drought.
In fall, the calendar suggests performing a final fertilizer application if recommended by soil testing done at this time of year. Soil amendments may be needed depending on test results; lime can raise pH while sulfur lowers it. Removing leaves is also important to prevent suffocation of the grass or pest issues. Before winter dormancy sets in, mowing heights should be gradually lowered for the last cut of the season.
During winter months when growth slows significantly or stops altogether, minimal care is required beyond occasional watering every three to four weeks if conditions are unusually dry and temperatures permit.
The resource notes that while many lawn chores are periodic or seasonal—such as dethatching or aeration—weekly mowing remains essential during active growth periods. For those who prefer not to handle these tasks themselves, hiring a local professional through services like GreenPal is an option.
