Lawn Care by Season

A healthy lawn takes year-round care. From spring clean-up to summer watering and fall fertilizing, each season plays an important role in keeping your grass thick, green, and strong.

Spring Lawn Care: March – May

Spring is the time to clean up your lawn and help it recover from winter. Start by raking away leaves, twigs, and debris that may have collected during the colder months.

Once the grass begins actively growing, resume mowing. Set your mower blade to about 2½–3 inches and make sure the blade is sharp for a clean cut. If you mow regularly, grass clippings can be left on the lawn to naturally return nutrients back into the soil.

If you missed your fall or winter lawn feeding, early spring is a good time to apply a high-quality organic lawn fertilizer. A second feeding can be applied around Memorial Day.

As the weather warms, keep an eye out for grubs. If you did not apply grub control the previous summer or fall and grubs are present, spring may be a good time to treat the lawn.

Summer Lawn Care: June – August

During summer, proper mowing and watering are key. Keep mower blades sharp and continue mowing at 2½–3 inches. Avoid cutting grass too short, especially during hot, dry weather.

Weed control products should be used carefully in summer. Avoid applying herbicides when temperatures are above 85 degrees or on windy days. For small weed patches, hand-pulling or spot-treating is often the best option.

Watering is especially important during dry periods. Lawns generally need 1–1½ inches of water per week, ideally applied in one or two deep waterings rather than short, frequent watering sessions. Deep watering encourages stronger root growth and helps the lawn handle heat stress.

Fertilizer is usually not needed during the summer months. Fertilizing in hot weather can encourage lawn disease. Instead, a quality supplement such as Ironite may be used to help maintain lawn color and overall health.

August is also an ideal time to apply grub control to help prevent lawn damage in fall and the following year. Watch for chinch bugs and sod webworms as well. If you notice brown patches or suspect insect damage, stop by Lisena Garden Center for help choosing the right treatment.

Mid-August through fall is the best time for major seeding, patching, or lawn renovation. Cooler temperatures and more consistent rainfall help new grass seed establish successfully.

Fall Lawn Care: September – October

Fall is one of the most important seasons for lawn care. As temperatures cool, turfgrass begins actively growing again. Continue mowing with sharp blades set at 2½–3 inches.

Broadleaf weeds can be treated during this time, and supplemental watering may still be needed if rainfall is less than one inch per week.

A lawn fertilizer application around Labor Day is recommended to help strengthen the grass after summer stress and prepare it for the colder months ahead.

Fall is also an excellent time to test your soil pH and apply lime if needed.

Winter Lawn Care: November – February

The final mowing of the season usually takes place around Thanksgiving. For the last cut, lower the mower blade to about 2 inches.

Continue removing fallen leaves so they do not smother the grass. Your final fertilizer application of the year should be completed before November 1st.

During winter, avoid walking on frozen turf whenever possible. If you use de-icing products near lawns, be careful of runoff, which can damage grass and nearby plants. Sand or other non-chemical traction materials are safer options around lawns, shrubs, trees, walkways, and driveways.

Weed Control

Crabgrass is a summer weed that begins germinating in spring, usually from March through May. The best time to apply crabgrass preventer is when soil temperatures reach about 50–55 degrees for several consecutive days, or when forsythia is in bloom. If you plan to seed your lawn, be sure to choose a crabgrass preventer that is safe for new grass seed.

Dandelions and other broadleaf weeds can be treated with a broadleaf weed control product. Spot treatment is best when only a few weeds are present. For heavier weed problems, a granular weed killer or weed-and-feed product may be recommended.

Soil pH Testing

Lawns grow best when soil pH is between 6.2 and 6.8, with 6.5 being ideal. If your soil pH is too low, lime can be applied to raise it.

Proper pH helps grass absorb fertilizer and essential nutrients more effectively, leading to a healthier lawn with fewer weeds and less disease.