Lawn Care Calendar for Northern Illinois


Month Lawn Care Practices to Consider*

April

Clean up debris from winter

Cultivation (aerifying, spiking, slicing) - lawn should be actively growing

Vertical mowing or dethatching (lawn should be actively growing)

Overseeding, establishment (late in month; late summer is better)

Preemergence annual weed (i.e. crabgrass) control (or early May)

May

Cultivation (aerifying, spiking, slicing) - lawn should be actively growing.

Preemergence annual weed (i.e. crabgrass) control (or late April)

Fertilization (1 pound of nitrogen/1,000 square feet)

Postemergence broadleaf weed (i.e.dandelions) control to actively growing weeds

Overseeding, establishment (early in month; late summer is better)

June

Postemergence broadleaf weed control (avoid hot weather)

Light fertilization (with irrigation); controlled-release nitrogen suggested

July

Irrigation (as needed or allow lawn to go dormant)

Monitoring for pests/problems (sod webworm)

August

Monitor for pests (annual white grubs mid-Aug. thru Sept.) (sod webworm)

Irrigation (as needed)

Prepare for seeding, overseeding (optimum time)

Seeding - latter half of month (optimum time)

September

Overseeding & establishment (optimum time) - first week

Fertilization (key time) - first 2 weeks

Cultivation (aerifying, spiking, slicing) - lawn should be actively growing

Postemergence broadleaf weed control to actively growing weeds (optimum time)

October

Postemergence broadleaf weed control (early in month) if weeds actively growing

Cultivation (aerifying, spiking, slicing) - lawn should be actively growing

November

Mowing until dormant

Late season fertilization within 1 week of final mowing of year

* Not all of these practices are suggested for one lawn in one season; this schedule is intended to be a guide when planning lawn care. Practices should be based on needs and problems of a specific lawn.

* Some practices cannot be done in conjunction with another; such as reseeding and applying most herbicides, or fertilizing new seedings at rates for established lawns.