Keeping your lawn healthy year-round requires adapting your care routine to the season. What works in spring won't protect your turf in summer heat or winter dormancy. This checklist gives you a clear plan for each time of year.
Spring: Wake Up and Repair
As temperatures rise, start with a thorough cleanup — rake out matted leaves and dead grass, then overseed any bare or thin patches. Apply a starter fertilizer to encourage deep root development before summer heat arrives.
Summer: Protect and Water Smart
Raise your mower height to shade the soil and reduce moisture loss. Water deeply 1–2 times per week early in the morning. Watch for signs of fungal disease and treat promptly to prevent spread.
Fall: The Most Important Season
Fall is the best time to aerate, overseed, and fertilize cool-season grasses. Core aeration breaks up compaction, improves drainage, and lets seed and nutrients reach the root zone more effectively.
Winter: Prep and Protect
Apply a winterizer fertilizer before the ground freezes to build root reserves. Clear debris from beds and lawn surfaces. Avoid heavy foot traffic on frozen or frost-covered turf to prevent crown damage.