3–4 minute read

Our tips are for cool-season lawns like bluegrass and fescues.

Lawn calendar

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
soil test
aerate
topdress
             
fertilize
lime
             
seed
mow
water
             
annual weeds
perennial weeds
grubs
disease

Routine Care

Do not fertilize. Roots decline with the arrival of hot weather and cannot support the added top growth.

Mow to 3–3½ inches.

Supplement rainfall as needed to provide 1 inch of water weekly. This should wet the soil to a depth of 4–6 inches. You can check by probing the soil with a screwdriver.

problems

Check for white grubs.

Consider a pre-emergent.

Special Tasks

Wait until September to aerate. Aeration should happen when turfgrass roots are actively growing to speed recovery.

Wait until fall to seed or renovate your lawn. Lawns seeded in the spring don’t last through the summer because their roots don’t establish before hot weather arrives.