Lawn care guides
What each lawn job needs, and how soil temperature tells you when to do it.
- When to apply pre-emergent
Pre-emergent works only if it is down before crabgrass sprouts. Here is how soil temperature tells you when, plus split applications and fall timing.
- Soil temperature for lawns
The soil temperatures that trigger crabgrass, seeding, fertilizer and dormancy, how to measure them with a probe thermometer, and why air temperature misleads.
- When to overseed your lawn
Late summer and early fall are the best time to seed fescue, bluegrass and ryegrass. How to time it from your first frost date, and how to do it step by step.
- Lawn fertilizer schedule
When to feed your lawn depends on your grass type. A season-by-season fertilizer schedule for cool-season and warm-season lawns, with soil temperature cues.
- Cool-season vs. warm-season grass
Your grass type decides when to seed, feed and treat your lawn. How to tell cool-season from warm-season grass, where each grows, and the transition zone.
- When to aerate your lawn
Aerate when your grass is growing fast enough to fill the holes: early fall for fescue and bluegrass, late spring for Bermuda and zoysia. Signs you need it.
- When to apply grub control
Grub control works best on young grubs near the surface. When to apply preventive and curative products, and how to check your lawn first.
- Fall lawn care checklist
A fall checklist for cool-season and warm-season lawns: seeding, feeding, weeds, leaves and the last mow, timed by soil temperature and your first frost.