The Lawn Care Calendar: What to Do Each Season

A season-by-season breakdown of what your lawn actually needs, and when.

Spring is about waking your lawn up right

Pre-emergent weed control timed before soil warms past roughly 55°F prevents most crabgrass before it ever appears — apply too late and it won't work.

Summer care depends heavily on your grass type

Warm-season grasses hit peak growth in summer and need regular feeding; cool-season grasses often go semi-dormant in summer heat and need less intervention, just consistent watering.

Fall is the most important season for cool-season lawns

Core aeration, overseeding, and a fall fertilizer application help cool-season grass build strong roots before winter — many lawn experts consider this the single most impactful lawn care window of the year.

Winter is mostly about restraint

Avoid heavy foot traffic on dormant or frost-covered grass, and resist the urge to fertilize during dormancy — the lawn can't use it.

Your exact calendar depends on your specific grass and zone

Use the calendar tool above with your grass type and climate zone for a schedule built specifically for your lawn.