Mountain West and High Plains Lawn Care Calendar: Seasonal Maintenance Guide

Note: Lawns may not be economically or environmentally responsible in many Mountain West and High Plains areas. Check with your county's cooperative extension service.

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Get your mower ready: Service in early spring; beat the rush. Sharpen blade at season start—sharp blade keeps lawn healthy and looking good. How to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade

Prevent annual weeds: Stop crabgrass with well-timed pre-emergence herbicide. Apply as forsythia blooms drop.

Aerate compacted soil: If lawn struggles due to hard soil, aerate in spring. Loosens soil, lets roots reach deeper, improves moisture absorption.

Mow your grass: Start when grass reaches ~3 inches. Cool-season grasses do best cut after 2+ inches—helps ward off weeds and withstand summer drought. Never remove more than one-third of leaf length per mowing.

Fertilize: Light application helps lawn start strong. Don't overdo; use slow-release or organic fertilizer. Feed when you mow for the first time in spring—not earlier.

Get rid of grubs: If grubs are a problem, apply season-long grub control in early June.

Keep mowing: Watch growth rate in heat. May need mowing every 2–3 weeks. In cooler, moist periods, maybe twice a week. Mow based on growth, not calendar.

Water as needed: To save water, let grass go dormant during drought (turns brown, greens up with rain). For green summer lawn, choose drought-tolerant grasses or plan on 1 inch of water per week.

Fertilize: Fall is most important feeding time. Apply twice: early and late autumn.

Don't stop mowing: Fall growth increases. Continue mowing as needed through season end.

Fall cleanup: Deal with fallen leaves so they don't smother lawn. No time to rake? Run mower over leaves several times—chops them into small pieces that decompose and improve soil structure.

Aerate compacted soil: Cool autumn temps mean grass grows more—great time to aerate if missed in spring.

Attack perennial weeds: Perennials like dandelions easiest to kill in autumn. Use broadleaf herbicide as they go dormant. More About Stopping Weeds in Your Lawn

Overseeding: Cool mid-fall days are best for overseeding or starting a lawn. Give new grass at least a month before first average frost to establish. More About Overseeding Your Lawn Find your area's first average frost date