Pacific Northwest Lawn Care Schedule

The Pacific Northwest’s vast area includes diverse microclimates and soil types. Tailoring lawn care to your specific region ensures your grass stays healthy and resilient.

Western Washington

Known for its lush greenery and frequent rainfall, Western Washington’s lawns face challenges from excess moisture and shade. This environment encourages moss and drainage problems that need targeted care.

• Climate: Wet winters and year-round moisture encourage moss growth and drainage issues.
• Key Challenges: Moss thrives in shaded, damp spots; soil compaction from heavy rain and foot traffic.

   Care Tips:

• Fall: Remove leaves promptly and aerate to relieve compaction and promote root health.
• Spring: Aerate in March or April to relieve compaction if not done in the fall and apply moss control.
• Summer: Deep water during dry spells to maintain green turf without shallow roots.

Oregon

With hotter summers and heavy clay soils, Oregon lawns require special attention to soil health and water management to keep turf healthy and vigorous.

• Climate: Hotter summers, heavy clay soils that retain water but drain slowly.
• Key Challenges: Clay soil compaction, increased weed pressures during growing season.

   Care Tips:

• Spring: Aerate if not done in the fall to relieve compaction and improve drainage.
• Summer: Water deeply but less frequently; avoid daily shallow watering.
• Fall: Aerate to relieve compaction and promote root health.

Northern California

Drought and heat define Northern California’s growing season. Lawns here need water-smart strategies and drought-tolerant grasses to thrive.

• Climate: Drought-prone, hot and dry summers.
• Key Challenges: Water restrictions, heat stress on turf, need for drought-tolerant grasses.

   Care Tips:

• Spring: Overseed with drought-resistant grasses to fill bare spots.
• Summer: Use irrigation systems with moisture sensors or smart controllers to conserve water.
• Fall: Aerate early fall and water strategically to strengthen roots before winter.  Overseed bare areas to thicken the turf.

At TruGreen, we create custom lawn care plans that account for regional and seasonal differences, including Lawn Stress Guard, a treatment that helps your lawn conserve water, recover faster and strengthen its roots. No matter where you live in the PNW, we have the expertise to help your lawn thrive year-round 

Maintaining a beautiful lawn requires care throughout the year. Here’s a month-by-month guide designed with PNW conditions in mind, so you know exactly when to mow, fertilize, aerate and more.

• January: Inspect your lawn for winter damage and clear leaves and debris to prevent disease buildup.
• February: Apply lime to balance acidic soils and prepare your lawn for spring growth.
• March: Dethatch and aerate to relieve soil compaction and boost nutrient flow to grass roots.
• April: Apply moss control in Washington and pre-emergent in Oregon and Northern California to reduce summer weeds.
• May: Fertilize with slow-release lawn fertilizer to promote strong spring growth and build resilience.
• June: Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root development and prepare for summer drought.
• July: Raise your mower blade to protect grass from heat stress and retain moisture.
• August: Begin planning for fall aeration and overseeding to repair summer damage and improve turf density.
• September: Core aerate and overseed for thick, healthy grass going into winter dormancy.
• October: Remove fallen leaves and lawn clippings promptly to avoid fungal diseases.
• November: Apply winter fertilizer rich in potassium to strengthen grass before dormancy and winterize irrigation systems.
• December: Inspect your lawn and equipment and plan your complete lawn maintenance schedule for the coming year. 

A great lawn doesn’t happen by chance, it’s built one season at a time through expert guidance, personalized care and consistent support. At TruGreen, our lawn care specialists work closely with you to develop a comprehensive schedule tailored to your lawn’s unique soil conditions, grass type, local climate and your lifestyle needs.

From controlling stubborn weeds and preventing damaging lawn grubs to optimizing your fertilization schedule, we design every step with your Pacific Northwest yard in mind. Our customized approach ensures that each treatment is applied at the ideal time for maximum effectiveness, helping your lawn grow stronger, greener and more resilient year after year.

We understand that no two lawns are exactly alike, which is why we focus on a care plan that fits your property’s specific challenges, whether it’s managing moss in Washington, clay soils in Oregon or drought concerns in Northern California. With TruGreen, you gain not just a service provider, but a trusted partner who is committed to your lawn’s long-term health and beauty.

Ready to get started? Contact a TruGreen expert in your region today to get your tailored Pacific Northwest lawn care plan.