Lush, dense turfgrass depends on many factors that come together month by month. That’s why the best lawn care companies know the importance of a comprehensive, seasonal lawn treatment schedule.

Regular aeration prevents soil compaction and allows water, air, and nutrients to reach grass roots more easily. This should happen in spring and fall but may also be necessary throughout the year.

Mowing

A lush lawn requires attention to a range of tasks that work together. While some homeowners may hire a professional lawn care service, others prefer to tackle the tasks themselves. Either way, the best results are achieved when the lawn is treated according to a specific schedule.

For example, mowing is best done in the spring and fall to keep the grass short and healthy. Watering should also be performed early in the morning to reduce evaporation and discourage fungal diseases from developing. Watering too often or for extended periods can stress the lawn and promote weed growth, so finding the optimal watering routine for your property is important.

Other elements that should be completed in spring include sending soil off to be tested for pH balance, applying a pre-emergent weed killer and reseeding damaged areas with seeding mixture (which provides mulch, fertilizer and seeds). Lush Lawn recommends following all steps to achieve a healthy lawn by summer.

Fertilizing

Some lawn care articles make it seem like you must spend lots of money and follow a complex plan to achieve a lush-looking yard. But the truth is that many homeowners can get great results with a simple, locally-adapted plan.

Basic lawn care includes deciding what kind of grass you have (cool or warm season) and choosing a lawn treatment schedule for your specific location and conditions.

Fertilize your lawn in spring and fall using a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer. A soil test kit is helpful to determine any nutrient deficiencies your lawn may have that can be addressed by fertilizer.

If thatch has built up, dethatch the lawn with a rake in early spring before you apply your fertilizer to prevent damaging the roots and crowns of the turf. Leaving grass clippings on the property to decompose recycles valuable nutrients back into the soil and helps reduce the need for weed control. Aim to mow the lawn weekly in a medium-height setting.

Pruning

Many homeowners battle a lawn full of unsightly shrubs and bushes that take away from the overall beauty of their outdoor space. It is important to trim and prune your landscaping plants regularly. The key to trimming and pruning is knowing what to cut when to cut it, and how much to cut.

Prune warm-season grasses yearly in the fall after they turn brown or in early spring before the new growth begins. Doing so keeps the plant from producing unnecessary seed heads that birds will eat over winter and provides a place for overwintering insects.

Pruning needled evergreens should be done in late winter and early spring. It is important to prune to active buds (needle-less shoots) to promote vigorous summer growth. Examples include pine, spruce, and fir.

It is best to prune any summer-flowering shrubs, like panicle hydrangea, rose-of-Sharon, and bush honeysuckle, in the early spring before they begin to flower. Doing this will promote a robust plant with plenty of energy to produce flowers for the summer season.

Irrigation

An abundant, lush lawn requires more than just regular watering. Achieving the perfect property involves a year-round schedule of treatments and tasks to remedy turf problems, prevent weeds, pests and diseases and promote growth.

The schedule should begin in spring with aerating, overseeding and fertilizing. Aerating relieves soil compaction by introducing holes in the lawn, opening pathways for air and nutrients to reach grass roots. The schedule should include a grub control application and pre-emergent weed control if necessary.

In the summer, irrigation should continue. A healthy lawn needs about one inch of water per week, which can be a combination of rainfall and irrigation. The lawn should be mowed regularly, no more than once per week, in a medium-height setting. Grass clippings should be left on the lawn for nutrients and to help prevent weeds. The schedule should include aerating and reseeding to repair damage from heavy foot traffic or dogs. It is also a good time to test soil pH and apply lime, if necessary. The schedule should also include a pre-emergent crabgrass treatment if required.

Weed Control

While some articles may lead you to believe a lush lawn requires a complicated plan with many treatments throughout the year, most yards can be cared for using a few key strategies. By following a well-timed schedule that uses the best products for your area, you can remedy turf issues, control weeds, and prepare soil for healthy grass.

In early spring, you should use a pre-emergent herbicide to stop weeds from growing. These chemicals, usually in water granule form, will not kill weeds that are already growing but prevent them from germinating. This will help to keep summer annuals like dandelions and wild violets under control.

Mid-spring is the time to overseed and apply a good lawn fertilizer. This will help thicken up lawns thinned out by winter and summer weeds. Then, in late spring or early summer, a post-emergent herbicide can kill existing weeds and prevent any weed seeds from germinating. When applying this spray, the lawn should be moist; use a granular product on a dewy morning for best results.