Our Complete Raleigh Lawn Care Schedule
Achieving a lush and healthy lawn in North Carolina takes a lot of time, effort, and care. Lawns need attention year-round if you want to see the best potential in your grass. As the seasons change, your lawn’s needs change, too. The best way to ensure your lawn is the best-looking lawn on the street is to follow the right lawn maintenance calendar for your type of turfgrass and region.
Caring for Different Grass Types in North Carolina
North Carolina is considered a “transition zone” based on the plant hardiness zone map. This means the diverse climate allows for different grass types to thrive. Lawns with the right environment can support cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses. The most common grass types found in Raleigh include Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass, and cool-season grasses like fescue. Grass types have different peak growing seasons and the time of year will determine how you maintain your lawn. Knowing your grass type will help you tailor your lawn care routine for the best results.
The Best Seasonal Lawn Care Schedule for North Carolina Lawns
We’ve compiled the most important tips for maintaining a healthy lawn in the Triangle, for Bermuda, Zoysia, and Fescue lawns. The NC State Cooperative Extension also offers detailed maintenance calendars for various grass types that thrive in North Carolina.
Spring Lawn Care
Weed Control and Lawn Fertilization
Early spring is the perfect time to tackle weeds and provide your lawn with essential nutrients. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide from mid-February to early March to prevent upcoming summer weeds like crabgrass, and choose a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Nitrogen-rich lawn fertilizers can encourage spring green-up and boost your lawn’s green color.
Aeration
Aerate your lawn to improve soil compaction and enhance nutrient absorption. This is especially beneficial for Bermuda and Zoysia grass. Core aeration is the process of pulling soil plugs from the lawn to open up space in the soil for roots to expand. It helps alleviate compacted soil, break down thatch build-up, and offers your grass a breath of fresh air before the peak growing season. The best time of year to aerate warm-season lawns is from late spring to early summer when the grass is actively growing.
Mowing and Watering
Adjust your mower height and start mowing regularly when the grass greens up. Bag your grass clippings for the first mow and make sure your lawn mower blades are sharpened. Depending on the temperature in your area, you can start mowing your Raleigh lawn around mid-March. Warm-season grasses should be mowed at 1 to 2 inches. Tall fescue lawns should be mowed at 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches. Ensure your lawn receives about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation.
Summer Lawn Care
Mowing and Watering
Summer calls for a higher mowing height to protect your grass from heat stress. Warm-season grasses should be mowed at 1 to 2 1/2 inches, while tall fescue should be mowed at around 3 1/2 inches. It’s important to always follow the One-Third rule when mowing, meaning you never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one cut. It can cause turfgrass stress and brown spots, otherwise known as “cutting out the green.” Keep mower blades sharp to avoid tearing the grass blade. Water deeply but less frequently, allowing the soil to dry between watering sessions to avoid runoff. During summer, it’s recommended to water earlier in the morning to limit evaporation from the sun’s peak heat of the day.
Weed Control and Lawn Fertilization
Continue weed control efforts and fertilize as needed. Post-emergent herbicides will need to be applied to target actively growing weeds and perennial weeds that couldn’t be prevented with spring pre-emergents. Choose a balanced lawn fertilizer with nitrogen to sustain growth and green color during the warmer months.
Mosquito Control
By early summer, mosquito activity will increase as temperatures rise. Reduce mosquito breeding grounds by eliminating standing water around your home. Consider using mosquito-repelling plants or hiring a local mosquito control service in the Triangle.
Lawn Pest Control and Disease Control
Monitor for pests and diseases. Mid-summer, around June, is a good time of year to apply preventative pest control for white grubs. Prevention is most effective when applied before adults begin laying eggs. When eggs hatch in early fall, grubs should be treated with a curative insecticide. Dollar spot is a common lawn disease in early summer and is a sign of a nitrogen deficiency in the soil. It can be treated with proper lawn fertilization or a fungicide, if the problem continues. Treat any pest or disease issues promptly if they arise to prevent further damage.
Tall fescue lawns may encounter brown patch fungus in the summer months during periods of high humidity and high temperatures. The disease appears in irregular circular patches of brown grass that can expand in size quickly. It should be treated with a fungicide as soon as possible.
Fall Lawn Care
Mowing and Watering
As temperatures cool, continue mowing as the growth rate slows for warm-season lawns. Continue regular watering, adjusting based on the local weather in the Triangle. Tall fescue lawns should be mowed at 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
Weed Control and Lawn Fertilization
Fall is a great time for lawn fertilization to help restore nutrients after a long, hot summer in North Carolina. Phosphorus and potassium are important nutrients to supplement in your lawn during fall to help repair and restore your lawn, as well as improve winter hardiness. Weed control during early fall is just as important. It’s the best time to apply fall pre-emergent herbicides to prevent winter weeds before they germinate. Avoid preventative weed control on fescue lawns if planning for fall seeding.
Aeration and Overseeding for Cool-Season Grasses
For tall fescue lawns, fall is the beginning of the peak growing season and the best time to repair a stressed, thin fescue lawn with aeration and overseeding. Before spreading grass seed, mow and core aerate the lawn to ensure the best results. Overseeding is the best way to bring your fescue lawn back to life. After fall seeding, make sure to water properly to promote healthy growth in your new lawn. Wait on applying any weed control when newly planted grass seed is still immature.
Lawn Disease Control and Insect Control
Early fall is when white grubs begin feeding on the root systems just below the lawn’s surface. They nest in the soil and can cause areas of the lawn to become weak, discolored, and feel loose like carpet. Proper watering will encourage grubs to move closer to the surface, making curative insecticides more effective.
Winter Lawn Care
Soil Testing
Winter time is a slower time of year for lawn care tasks while bermudagrass and zoysia grass are in dormancy. During cool months, you may want to take a soil test to check the health and pH level of your lawn’s soil. Limestone can be applied to help balance the pH of your soil. Homeowners in the Triangle can send soil samples to the local extension office for a soil test.
Caring for Your Lawn During Dormancy
During the dormancy season, rainfall should provide enough irrigation for your lawn, but be aware of dry periods and water as needed. Mowing is not necessary when warm-season lawns are not actively growing. However, it’s important to keep leaves and debris clear from your lawn, for any grass type. Fallen leaves can encourage disease and block water and vital nutrients from reaching the soil. Lawns can receive weed control for winter weeds that break through.
When fescue lawns that received fall overseeding are fully matured and actively growing, broadleaf weed control can be applied for winter weeds. Make sure to keep the lawn clear of leaves and water as necessary.
The Best Lawn Care Services in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle
Homeowners in the Triangle Area looking for a local, trusted lawn care service can call on the pros at Eastern Turf Maintenance. We have years of experience offering comprehensive lawn care services that are built for North Carolina lawns and our climate. We also offer lawn pest control, disease control, tree and shrub care, and mosquito control in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. Our service pricing is based on square feet and you can contact us today for a free quote!