Lawn-Care Timeline

North: Zones 1, 5, 6

March
•Rake up debris and leaves from winter.

April
•Growing season starts. Mow grass 3 inches high. Leave clippings on lawn.
•Apply first dose of fertilizer.
•Treat for crabgrass with pre-emergent herbicide or eco-friendly corn gluten.

May
•Pull or spot-treat dandelions or treat whole lawn with post-emergent weed control or lime.
•Fertilize six to eight weeks after first dose.

June–July
•Water if rainfall is below 1 inch a week.
•Treat for grubs using beneficial nematodes.

Late August–September
•Dethatch and aerate with core aerator when rains resume and ground softens.
•Fertilize and seed.
•Spread weed-and-feed over entire lawn or spot-spray with lime juice and vinegar.

October–November
•Rake leaves.
•Fertilize six to eight weeks after last feeding.
•At final cut, after a few frosts, mow 2 inches high.