Maintaining a healthy lawn isn’t a job that spans a month or two. It requires constant care and attention. If you want to ensure that your field remains lush and healthy throughout the year, take it one month at a time.
Regardless of which part of the US you’re from, our maintenance schedule will tell you what to do and when depending on your region and grass type. Keep reading for a flexible and comprehensive month-by-month lawn care calendar.
Your lawn is a tiny ecosystem on its own. Everything from the humus to the green shoots of grass and the soil underneath is a living, breathing world. Before you continue with our schedule, ensure that you can answer these questions about your lawn.
The first step to determining your grass type is to look at the illustration below and check whether your property is in the blue, green, or orange portion of the map.
Credits: Infographic by Juan Rodriguez
After identifying your zone, note down the differences below and keep them in mind before starting your lawn’s makeover.
If you are in the Transition Zone, you may have either cool-season or warm-season grass. To identify, simply search for the most common grass types in your area online to see different grass varieties and what they look like. Then, compare your lawn’s grass with the photos you find.
While it isn’t possible to answer this question with 100% certainty, using your favorite weather app can help. For detailed insights, check for information on websites like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Once you have answered these questions, you can begin taking care of your lawn according to the season.
Winter can be rough for almost all plantations, and your lawn’s grass is no exception. Having a foolproof schedule for spring will help rejuvenate and prepare for a flourishing growing season.
Observe and examine your area’s weather and how your turf reacts to it. If there is rain, ensure that your field does not puddle or waterlog. If there is puddling or waterlogging, aeration might be a good idea.
First things first, clean up your lawn to remove weeds, dead grass, and debris. Raking your lawn should help ensure that no path of grass is left unkempt.
Before beginning, ensure that your lawn mower isn’t cutting deep. Setting it at the highest possible level will help you ensure that your grass is well-rooted and grows healthy.
After winter passes, use slow-releasing fertilizer to kickstart your grass growth. Spot and remove weeds before they spread. Reseed any bare patches for a full, thick lawn.
If you see any bare spots in your field, sow cool-season grass in Early Spring and warm-season grass in late spring. Mow regularly and overseed if required. Keep the grass at about 3 inches to encourage deep roots. Edge around walkways and driveways for a clean, polished look.
As the afternoons begin getting warmer, you will see your grass shoots spring up and grow well and be deep-rooted. However, The summer heat can stress your lawn. Here’s how to protect it:
Begin mowing high once again, ensuring that your mower’s blades are sharp enough to prevent tugging and pulling. Also, avoid cutting more than a third of the grass height at a time.
Water your lawn deeply but less frequently—about 1-1.5 inches per week, preferably in the morning. Watering in the morning will ensure that your lawn doesn’t become thirsty during the day.
Summertime is when your field is the most vulnerable to pesky creatures that will contribute over time to your tur’s bare patches. Be on the lookout for beetles and other pests, and use pesticides as required.
The initial periods will be your best chance to ensure that your garden flourishes. Check discolored or brown patches regularly, and water deeply to bring the faded portion back to life.
For best results with both warm- and cool-season grass, fertilize well and use a high-quality spreader and lawn feed.
Fall is the best time to prepare your lawn for the colder months. While a cold winter can be harsh, you can reduce the damage your green patch takes.
Aerate your lawn well to ensure enough airflow and good absorption. If you see any thin spots, overseeding is your best friend. For cold-season grass, you will need a hearty dose of fertilizer. Aim to fertilize twice between September and mid-October.
For warm-season grass, feeding only once during the initial phases of fall will help you achieve the best results.
Huge leaves can undo your aeration efforts and choke your lawn. You can cut them down into smaller pieces, spread them over your lawn to decompose, and then mow them over. Or, you can rake them to give your grass some place to breathe and grow.
Fall is preparation time for cool-season grasses. For best results, fertilize your lawn well and then fight weeds. If you are dealing with warm-season grasses, focus on tending to weeds, as they can ruin a healthy harvest.
Before using the mower, drop the height by a couple of inches. Ensure that it is sharp enough and mow lower. If you are in the Cool Season Grass Zone, mow once before snowing begins to prevent snow mold when it gets cold.
You will need to take special care to ensure that you reduce the damage done to your lawn.
In most regions of the United States, grass goes dormant in the winter months. This means that you need to be extra careful to avoid damage. Avoid walking on frozen grass and parking vehicles on your lawn in the winter.
Be thoughtful about melting ice, and avoid using a lot of salt. Salt can damage your grassroots. If possible, use environmentally friendly ice melts, such as Calcium Magnesium Acetate or Calcium Chloride.
Also, ensure that your lawn care tools are ready for the coming Spring Season. Sharpen blades, change oils, and ensure that all the motors are working properly.
Rewind through the past year and note all the challenges you faced while tending to your lawn. Write them down and research how to best deal with them in the coming year.
As stated earlier, if you have decided to take care of your lawn, it will be a continuous process. However, should you feel overwhelmed or want a helping hand, Percy’s Lawn Care is always here to help you with your lawn care needs.
Our lawn care services include mowing, landscaping, and snow removal. Being a family-owned business, we take care of your lawn as if it were our own. Whether you're a home or business owner in Buffalo, Amherst, or Cheektowaga, let us know what you need help with, and we’ll be there in no time.
Even if you just want expert advice, we offer an extensive, free, and no-obligation consultation for greenscape. Ready to breathe new life into your lawn? Contact us today!
