Seasonal Lawn Care Maintenance and Treatment Schedule

Every homeowner dreams of a lush, green lawn. But between seasonal weather changes, heavy foot traffic and common lawn pests, keeping grass healthy can feel like a full-time job. That’s where planning, consistency and expert help come in. With the right year-round care and support from TruGreen, you can enjoy a lawn that looks great in every season.

The root of dull, dry and unhealthy turf is often a lack of ongoing attention. Lawn maintenance isn’t just mowing on weekends; it’s about timing the right treatments at the right time of year. Fertilization, weed control, pest management, aeration and overseeding all play a role in creating the thick, green grass you want.

TruGreen’s certified specialists design trusted, expert lawn plans based on your grass type, soil health and local climate. Every plan begins with a TruGreen Lawn Assessment and continues with customized treatments throughout the year, all backed by the TruGreen Guarantee◆. This ensures your lawn receives the right care at the right time, helping it recover from seasonal stresses and withstand heavy foot traffic. 

As snow melts and temperatures rise, it’s time to set your lawn up for success:

• Rake lightly to help the sun reach the soil, remove debris and speed green-up.
• Tune up tools like mowers and trimmers to keep blades sharp and ready for regular mowing.
• Apply pre-emergent weed control to prevent crabgrass and other weeds from taking hold later in the year.
• Schedule aeration if the soil is compacted or puddling, which allows roots to breathe and grow deeper.
• Fertilize and overseed cool-season grasses early to encourage strong growth before summer heat.
• Begin watering warm-season grasses as they come out of dormancy, ensuring about 1 to 2 inches of moisture weekly.

Starting early in the season gives your lawn a head start, making it more resilient to heat, pests and the wear and tear of outdoor activity. 

Summer is when your lawn faces the most stress — heat, drought, pests and constant foot traffic from kids, pets and family gatherings. To keep grass green and healthy:

• Irrigate properly. Most lawns need one to two inches of water per week, more under large shade trees or in sandy soils.
• Mow carefully and never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time; taller grass helps shade roots and reduce water loss.
• Combat pests like grubs or chinch bugs before they damage turf.
• Fertilize warm-season grasses every 4-8 weeks during active growth to maintain strong roots.
• Overseed cool-season lawns as summer turns to fall to improve thickness and resilience.

By combining proper watering, fertilization and weed control, your lawn can bounce back from barbecues, games and neighborhood gatherings without showing signs of wear.  

Fall is the perfect time to repair summer damage and prepare for winter:

• Fertilize cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue, six weeks before the first frost to promote root growth and nutrient storage.
• Aerate and overseed to improve soil structure and thicken turf, making it better able to resist weeds and disease. TruGreen only recommends overseeding cool-season grasses.
• Control weeds with post-emergent treatments before they go to seed or spread.
• Rake or mulch leaves to prevent smothering grass while recycling nutrients back into the lawn.
• Lower the mower height gradually until growth stops, helping the grass go dormant in optimal condition.

Proper fall care ensures your lawn has the strength to survive winter and bounce back quickly in spring. 

Winter is a time to give your lawn a break, but a little care still goes a long way:

• Avoid salt damage by using eco-friendly ice melt instead of traditional salts.
• Shovel paths to limit foot traffic on dormant grass, which can create bare spots.
• Mow dormant warm-season grasses on a dry day to groom and remove leaves.
• Inspect for weeds and plan early spring treatments to prevent problems before they start.

Even dormant lawns benefit from thoughtful winter practices, ensuring a stronger, healthier lawn when spring arrives. 

No two lawns are the same, which is why TruGreen takes a tailored approach to lawn care. Instead of one-size-fits-all treatments, we look at the unique factors that affect your yard—soil type, grass variety, regional climate and even how you use your outdoor space. From there, we design a plan that addresses immediate needs and builds long-term lawn health. Our services include:

• Fertilization to give your grass the nutrients it needs to thrive, with seasonal adjustments that keep growth balanced and sustainable.
• Weed control to eliminate invasive plants and prevent them from competing with your grass for water, sunlight and nutrients.
• Insect control to protect your lawn from grubs, chinch bugs and other damaging pests before they can destroy turf and soil health.
• Aeration and overseeding to relieve soil compaction, improve turf density and promote stronger, deeper root systems
• Specialized treatments like sulfur or lime soil amendments to improve pH balance, boost soil health and increase your lawn’s overall resilience

Beyond treatments, TruGreen also focuses on preventative strategies and ongoing monitoring. With regular care designed specifically for your region, grass type and lifestyle, your lawn can better withstand challenges like drought, heavy rain or extreme foot traffic. Whether you want a yard that’s perfect for backyard barbecues, ready for kids and pets to play or simply a lush green space to enjoy, TruGreen creates a personalized plan that makes it possible. 

TruGreen has studied and mastered the science of lawn care for over 50 years. We understand how to balance seasonal maintenance with solutions for challenges like foot traffic, pests and weeds, and with the TruGreen Guarantee◆, we’ll come back as often as needed between scheduled visits to make sure you’re satisfied.

Get the healthy, green lawn you’ve always wanted. Visit TruGreen.com to find the right lawn care plan for your home.