Whether recovering from drought stress, fighting a battle against weeds, or being covered in a blanket of leaves, grass needs year-round care to stay healthy. Each month presents its challenges and requires an understanding of our climate and weather. So what chores need to be done, and when should you do them?
Discover tips, tricks, and timing with our month-to-month lawn care calendar for Maryland.
When to Mow Your Lawn
Your mowing schedule depends on the type of grass you have. Both cool-season and warm-season grasses grow in Maryland, depending on your location. When choosing the best grass seed for your lawn, consider your location, maintenance preferences, and landscape.
As the last winter snow falls and spring arrives, it’s time to bust out your lawn mower. Here are some simple tips you can follow to ensure you get the magazine-worthy lawn of your dreams:
- Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade in a mowing session. Mowing low leads to scalping which stresses your lawn, causing deterioration, disease, and weeds.
- Mow early. Avoid the midday heat and humidity.
- Never mow a wet lawn. Grass blades tear instead of receiving a clean cut when they are wet, leading to disease.
- Don’t put yourself on a schedule. Weekly mowing isn’t always enough, especially during the growing season. Mow depending on the weather, season, soil fertility, moisture conditions, and grass species.
Spring (March to May)
Cool-season grasses start growing when soil temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the early spring. During this time, mow weekly depending on the weather. Common cool-season cultivars grow best when kept at a height between 2.5 to 4 inches.
Depending on our weather, warm-season grasses may also begin their green-up in the late spring (early May) when temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mow weekly, aiming for a height of 2.5 inches.
Summer (June to August)
While cool-season grasses may go dormant during the summer in Maryland, many will remain green with adequate irrigation. However, their growth slows significantly, so mow as needed.
On the other hand, warm-season grasses hit their peak during the summer season. Mow every five to seven days at a height of one inch. You can also leave your grass clippings on the lawn after your first mowing session to add nutrients to the soil (see Reasons to Use Grass Clippings as Mulch).
Fall (September to November)
As temperatures drop, cool-season grasses will need to be mowed weekly again. Continue mowing warm-season varieties until they brown and exhibit signs of winter dormancy, typically around November or December.
Watering Your Lawn
Watering your lawn is crucial for healthy growth and timing is important. The best time to water your lawn in Maryland is between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Avoid watering in the evening which can increase the risk of diseases.
Your lawn needs around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. Water deeply and infrequently. Traditionally, when no rain is forecasted, watering for 20 minutes, three times a week provides 1 inch of water.
Fertilizing Your Lawn
Fertilizing your lawn helps it maintain its looks and health. The best approach to a healthy lawn is understanding your grass’ needs. We recommend conducting a soil test annually, and twice a year if your lawn is struggling.
Soil Testing
Soil health is measured in pH, on a scale from one to fourteen. A low pH (5.5 or lower) signifies acidic soil, while a pH of 7 or higher signifies alkaline soil. The ideal soil pH is between 6 to 7.
A soil test also details your soil’s N-P-K levels: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Your results tell you exactly what amendments to use on your lawn when you fertilize.
When to Fertilize Your Lawn
In Maryland, the best time to fertilize your lawn depends on your grass type. For cool-season grasses, fertilize in the spring and fall. Aim to apply your first round in April or early May and apply your second round in September during your grass-growing seasons.
Since warm-season varieties grow in the summer, fertilize your lawn from late May to early June. Avoid fertilizing in the late summer when temperatures are too hot. Late fertilization can also encourage additional growth which leads to winter damage.
Pro Tip: Maryland’s fertilizer law does not allow lawn fertilization from November 15 to March 1.
When to Aerate Your Lawn
As you enjoy your lawn, the soil compacts. When it does, it becomes harder for your lawn to get the water, nutrients, and air it needs without aeration. Aeration creates holes or plugs in the ground, opening passageways. The best time to aerate your lawn depends on your grass type and coincides with its growing season.
Late Spring to Early Summer (May to June)
Aerate warm-season grasses from May to early June, coinciding with the peak growing season. Ensure that the soil is moist, not wet, and aim to aerate annually in Maryland.
Fall (September to November)
While cool-season grasses have two growing seasons, the best time to aerate is in the fall, from September to November. This season is also a prime time for overseeding your lawn to prepare it for the winter.
Pro Tip: Choose core aeration over spike aeration. Core aeration removes soil plugs, adding valuable nutrients to your lawn as the cores break down.
Overseeding Your Lawn
Overseeding thickens your grass and repairs damaged areas. It’s also a less expensive and stressful way to repair your lawn than replacing it altogether. The best time to overseed your lawn is after aeration during its growing season.
For cool-season lawns, overseed with a matching cultivar in the fall (September to November). Since warm-season grasses grow in the late spring to summer, overseed from late April to early June. See our step-by-step overseeding guide.
Weed Control
Photo Credit: Harry Rose / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Preventative weed control is your best defense against lawn invaders. A combination of lawn maintenance, pre-emergent herbicides, and post-emergent herbicides can help ensure the long-term health of your lawn. Some common weeds in Maryland to watch out for include:
- Crabgrass
- Dandelion
- Broadleaf Plantain
- Ground Ivy
- Annual Bluegrass
- Clover
Spring (February to March)
Herbicides can help you defend against weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides kill weeds before they sprout, while post-emergent herbicides kill weeds that have already pushed through the soil.
Apply pre-emergent herbicide in the spring between late February to early March to prevent weeds from sprouting. You can also apply a post-emergent option from April to May if you notice weeds popping up.
Summer
Continue applying post-emergent herbicide as needed. However, avoid applying them when conditions are extremely hot and dry as they can lead to leaf burn.
Fall (August to September)
Some broadleaf weeds, like dandelion and plantain, germinate in the fall in Maryland. Combat these pesky invaders by applying another round of pre-emergent herbicide between late August to early September.
Lawn Pest Control
Photo Credit: Christina Butler / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / Rotated from original
Like preventative weed control, lawn pest control is also important year-round, especially in Maryland’s rainy seasons. Some common lawn pests include:
Lawn Grubs (July to August)
Lawn grubs are the larvae of insects like Japanese beetles, Oriental beetles, masked chafer beetles, and May or June beetles. They work underground, feeding on the roots of plants until they emerge as adults. Grub damage is most severe in the late summer. Check out our grub control guide for more information.
Chinch Bugs (July to August)
Chinch bugs are small, but they can cause big damage to your lawn. They feed on grass sap, causing irregular patches of yellow grass to spread through the yard and turn brown. This keeps water and food from reaching the roots, which will eventually kill them. They are most active in July and August. Learn more about this pest in our chinch bug guide.
Sod Webworms (July to September)
Sod webworms describe both the caterpillar stage and the adult moth stage. The moths don’t damage your lawn, but the caterpillars do. They feed on the stems and leaves at night, usually from mid-July to the end of September. The damage looks like a severely scalped lawn mower job. Learn control methods in our sod webworm guide.
FAQ About Lawn Care in Maryland
When should I stop mowing the grass?
Stop mowing in the late fall, around early November. However, don’t hold yourself to a strict schedule. If our fall is unseasonably warm, you may have to continue mowing every two weeks.
What is the best time of year to reseed a lawn in Maryland?
The best time of year to reseed in Maryland is early fall. Aim to sow seed between late August and early October to allow your lawn to establish before the winter.
Can I mix grass types when I overseed?
Yes. Mixing grass types provides several benefits, including increased pest and disease resistance. It also improves health and adaptability. Be sure to choose compatible varieties. Each variety should have similar growth rates, habits, and appearances.
Hiring a Professional
Lawn care is a year-round operation that requires time and hard work. Mowing, aerating, fertilizing — it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. Fortunately, you can break down the process into a month-to-month calendar to help keep your lawn healthy year-round.
But we know you’re busy. If you don’t have the time to tend to your lawn chores, let LawnStarter connect you with a local lawn care pro who can complete those dirty tasks for you.
Main Image Credit: Unsplash created using Infogram
