Creating the Perfect Lawn Care Schedule for Your Lawn

Creating the lawn care schedule that is right for your lawn is crucial.

If you are like most people you have a lawn care calendar that is convenient for you.  That most likely means you are cutting grass once a week whether it needs it or not. The problem is this may not be the right prescription for your lawn.

All lawns do not require the same lawn maintenance schedule. You need to consider what region of the country you live in, the climate, grass types, soil ph levels, lawn drainage ability and the landscape around your home.

Having a lawn care schedule that is right for your lawn will ensure you cover all the bases and don't miss a critical step.  Afterall, a healthy lawn wards off lawn weeds, lawn pests and lawn diseases.

Maintaining a healthy lawn means you must take the proper steps throughout the year.  

Keep in mind, depending on what part of the country you live in, your lawn care schedule can vary.  It is important to have a schedule as a starting point even though the weather conditions can alter it.   

Whether you maintain your own lawn or you hire a lawn mowing service, being fully engaged in the process is important.  

Writing down what needs to be accomplished and when it needs to be done is helpful. You don't want to miss a beat.  You need to make sure every step of your lawn maintenance schedule is taken care of by someone (you or a lawn maintenance service).  

This is meant to be a high level summary to help create your lawn maintenance schedule.  To learn more indepth detail necessary to build your seasonal lawn care schedule read more at spring lawn maintenance schedule, summer lawn care calendar and fall lawn care. 

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Spring Lawn Maintenance Schedule

Your spring lawn maintenance schedule sets the foundation for how your lawn looks through the end of the growing season.

Depending on where you live and the type of grass you have (cool season or warm season) the steps are the same. The only difference is that the timing of when things are done can vary between early and late spring.

The first steps for all.......

The first step for all should be lawn mower maintenance and determining if lawn mower repairs are required. If lawn mower repairs or the purchase of a new lawn mower are necessary, you don't want to be rushed and forced to spend more money than you have to.

Next, everyone should perform a spring yard cleaning to remove any debris that has accumulated over the winter months.

Everyone should inspect their yard for lawn problems.  This can take the form of lawn weeds, lawn diseases or lawn pests.

Knowing your soils ph levels is so important.  Sending a soil sample off to be analyzed or using a home soil testing kit allows you to determine the perfect grass fertilizer for your lawn.

Begin cutting grass.  Remember the rules, never cut more than  1/3 of the grass blade each time and never scalp your lawn.  Use the line trimmer and lawn edger to give your lawn that finished look.

Use grass fertilizer a few times (once in the early spring and once in late spring). Knowing your soils ph levels allows you to choose the right grass fertilizer with the perfect fertilizer numbers (nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous levels) for your lawn.

Lawn watering is part of the triple crown of lawn maintenance: cutting grass, lawn fertilizing and lawn watering. The correct amount of water for your grass can vary based on it's lawn drainage ability, grass types and weather conditions.  Be sure to water deeply so that the water reaches the grass roots.

You may need to consider the following steps depending on the condition of your lawn.......

• Apply a preemergent herbicide for crab grass.
• Aerating lawn may be necessary.  This allows the air, fertilizer and water to reach the root system of the grass more efficiently  Without these nutrients your lawn does not stand a chance.
• Fill in the bare spots.  Over seeding or lawn repair may be required. Lawn seeding is a great option for you.
•  If you notice lawn weeds, apply a post emergence  broadleaf herbicide.

Summer Lawn Care Calendar

Your summer lawn care schedule is similar to your spring lawn maintenance schedule.  Depending on weather conditions it may need a little tweaking.

• Continue grass cutting as necessary.  Use a weed wacker and lawn edger for that well manicured look.
• Continue to look for signs of lawn problems.  Identifying weeds, lawn pests and lawn diseases early is important for the continued health of your lawn.
• Lawn watering deeply. Remember, you want to make sure the water reaches the root system of the grass.  Depending on the region of the country you live in and grass types, allowing the grass to go dormant during the height of the summer may be the right thing to do.
• Lawn fertilizing is an important step. Never use grass fertilizer during the height of the summer when it is hot an dry.  The grass fertilizer will burn your lawn and lawn repair will be necessary.
• Apply a preventive grub control. You don't want grubs in lawn.

Fall Lawn Care

Your fall lawn care calendar sets the stage for how your lawn reacts to the winter conditions and how it comes back in the spring.

Continue the steps from your spring lawn maintenance schedule and summer lawn care calendar.

Continuing cutting grass as necessary. Remember to use the line trimmer and lawn edger so your lawn has that polished look that turns everyone's heads.

Lawn fertilizing so your grass has the nutrients to survive the winter months is crucial.

Look for lawn problems.  You want to correct any lawn problems (identifying weeds, lawn pests and lawn diseases) before the onset of winter.

Prepare your lawn care equipment for winter storage.  This step will make lawn mower maintenance a breeze in the spring.

Adding the following steps to your fall lawn care schedule will lower the chance of lawn problems when your grass greens up in the spring.

• Dethatch if the thatch layer is more than ½ of an inch thick.  This is very common in certain grass types.
• Don't forget the fall clean up when the leaves have fallen.  If you skip this step, your lawn will not be able to breathe and absorb the nutrients from the grass fertilizer and the lawn watering. This can lead to lawn diseases, lawn pests and lawn weeds.
• Reseeding bare patches and over seeding the grass for the winter is always a good idea.  This is the best time of the year for lawn seeding.

Creating the lawn care schedule that is right for your lawn will help you maintain it's health throughout the seasons.  If you make sure all of the tasks on the schedule are completed, you will be very happy with the results.  You will create that healthy, beautiful lawn that will heighten your sense of pride.

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