What Is a Cool-Season Lawn?
A cool-season lawn is made up of grasses that thrive in cooler temperatures, growing best in early spring and fall when the weather is mild. These lawns are typically composed of Fescue, Bluegrass, and Ryegrass, which stay green longer during cooler months and recover well from wear.
If you have a cool-season lawn, understanding its unique growth cycle is key to keeping it healthy, thick, and lush year-round. That’s why a month-by-month care plan can make all the difference, helping you know when to fertilize, seed, aerate, and control weeds so your lawn looks its best in every season.
When following this calendar, remember to read and follow the product label for each chemical, so you know how often and how much product to use!
Cool-Season Lawn Calendar
Late Winter – February
Set the foundation for the season.
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Test your soil and pH. Apply Mag-I-Cal if needed.
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Apply Jonathan Green Veri-Green & Crabgrass Preventer to stop crabgrass before it starts.
Early Spring – March & April
Control weeds before they take over.
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Treat broadleaf weeds once a month with:
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Jonathan Green Lawn Weed Control
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Bonide WeedBeater Ultra
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Late Spring – May
Protect against pests and disease.
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Apply Bonide Eight Insect Control to prevent grubs, ticks, and fleas.
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At the first sign of fungus, apply Bonide Infuse.
Early Summer – June
Stay ahead of weeds.
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Treat broadleaf weeds if needed.
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If needed, apply a second round of Jonathan Green VeriGreen & Crabgrass Preventer.
- If you are planning to seed your lawn in the fall, do not apply Crabgrass Preventer past June, as it lingers in the soil for up to 3 months and prevents seed germination.
Midsummer – July
Maintain & monitor.
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Continue treating weeds if needed.
- Keep in mind that chemicals have temperature cutoffs; applying them in high temperatures can render them inert or cause damage to your lawn.
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Avoid heavy fertilizing during heat stress.
Late Summer – August
Prep for renovation season.
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Test soil and adjust pH if needed.
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Kill undesirable weeds or grass with Bonide KleenUp.
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Core aerate to relieve compaction.
Early Fall – September
Renovate and reseed.
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Seed with Ken Matthews Tall Turf Blend once temperatures are staying under 85°F.
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Fertilize with Jonathan Green VeriGreen for Seeding & Sodding.
Mid Fall – October
Feed for strong roots.
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Apply Jonathan Green VeriGreen 30–40 days after your first fertilizer application.
Late Fall – November / December
Winter protection.
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Apply Jonathan Green Winter Survival 30–40 days after your second fertilizer application.
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After mowing new or overseeded lawns 3–4 times, spot treat broadleaf weeds if needed.
Cool-Season Lawn Notes
Mag-I-Cal or lime can be applied any time soil tests indicate it’s needed.
While cool-season lawns thrive in colder temperatures, they can struggle in extreme heat. Make sure to keep them watered during periods of drought.
We do not recommend seeding cool-season lawns in spring, as the window between cooler spring temperatures and hotter summer temperatures is very short. If young grass doesn’t have enough time to establish a strong root system before the heat of summer, it can very easily fail.
If you’re looking to care for a warm-season lawn, click here!