Lawn care calendar
General guidance for US lawns — adjust for your county extension and irrigation rules.
Season group: Cool-season
January
- Stay off frozen turf.
- Plan soil test / lime if needed.
February
- Sharpen mower blade before spring.
- Scout for winter annual weeds.
March
- Begin mowing when grass grows; remove only top third.
- Light raking only if truly matted — avoid aggressive dethatch in wet soil.
April
- Core aerate if compaction is bad (cool/wet window).
- Pre-emergent for crabgrass before soil hits ~55°F sustained (region-dependent).
May
- Fertilize cool-season grass in peak growth (follow label rates).
- Raise mowing height before summer stress.
June
- Water deep & infrequent if drought; morning irrigation.
- Spot-treat broadleaf weeds carefully in heat.
July
- Minimize nitrogen in heat; mow taller.
- Watch for fungus in humidity.
August
- Prep for fall overseed window; reduce compaction if needed.
September
- Prime overseed / renovation window for tall fescue & KBG mixes.
- Aerate + overseed if lawn is thin.
October
- Starter fertilizer after overseed (low phosphorus if restricted).
- Keep seedbed moist until germination.
November
- Last nitrogen window before dormancy (avoid late push in far north).
December
- Winterize equipment; avoid salt runoff on edges.