SEASONAL CARE CALENDAR

STAND DOWN

• Grass is dormant. Leave it alone.
• Sharpen mower blades, service equipment.
• Soil test if you didn't do one in fall — UT Extension offers free kits.
• Plan any spring overseeding or renovation projects.

INTEL GATHERING

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide in late Feb if soil temps approach 55°F.
• Don't jump the gun — too early and it breaks down before crabgrass germinates.
• Clear debris, dead branches, and anything winter left behind.
• Check irrigation systems for freeze damage.

FIRST CONTACT

• Pre-emergent window is NOW if you haven't applied yet.
• Bermuda starts greening up. First mow when it hits 1.5–2 inches.
• Fescue is in prime growing season — mow at 3–3.5 inches.
• Start regular mowing schedule. Weekly for most yards.
• Edge beds and sidewalks for the first time.

FULL OFFENSIVE

• Bermuda is fully awake and aggressive. Mow at 1–2 inches.
• Fescue: keep at 3+ inches to shade out weeds.
• Post-emergent spot treatment for weeds that broke through.
• Fertilize bermuda with nitrogen (0.5–1 lb N per 1,000 sq ft).
• Do NOT fertilize fescue in spring — you're feeding the weeds.

GROWTH SURGE

• Mowing frequency peaks. Some bermuda needs twice-a-week cuts.
• Humidity kicks in — watch for fungal issues, especially on fescue.
• Keep mower blades sharp. Dull cuts = brown tips = disease entry.
• Trim bushes and hedges before summer growth goes wild.

HEAT OPS

• Deep, infrequent watering — 1 inch per week including rain.
• Mow bermuda low and often. It loves the heat.
• Fescue is stressed. Raise the mow height to 3.5–4 inches.
• Spot-treat nutsedge — it thrives when everything else is struggling.
• Grub prevention application if you had grub damage last year.

SURVIVAL MODE

• Peak heat and humidity. Bermuda thrives; fescue suffers.
• Don't fertilize fescue — you'll cook it.
• Light nitrogen hit on bermuda if it's looking pale.
• Watch for armyworms — they destroy bermuda in 48 hours.
• Maintain sharp blades and consistent mow schedule.

HOLD THE LINE

• Start planning fall overseeding for fescue (seed goes down in September).
• Core aerate fescue lawns in late August to prep for seed.
• Last bermuda fertilizer application of the season.
• Continue weekly mowing — growth hasn't slowed yet.

FALL OFFENSIVE

• Prime time for fescue overseeding. Soil temps 60–75°F is the sweet spot.
• Aerate before seeding if you didn't in August.
• Fertilize fescue — this is its best feeding window of the year.
• Bermuda growth slows. Start spacing out mow visits.
• Pre-emergent for winter weeds (Poa annua, henbit) — late September.

TRANSITION

• Continue mowing fescue at 3–3.5 inches — it's growing fast.
• Bermuda starts going dormant. Lower mow height gradually.
• Leaf management — don't let leaves smother new fescue seed.
• Final weed treatment before winter lockdown.

WIND DOWN

• Last mow of the season for bermuda. Cut low (1–1.5 inches) for winter.
• Fescue gets one more fertilizer shot — winterizer blend.
• Keep mowing fescue until it stops growing (usually mid-November).
• Clean and store equipment. Stabilize fuel.

STAND DOWN

• Lawn is dormant. No mowing, no fertilizing, no herbicide.
• Focus on equipment maintenance and planning.
• Good time to get a soil test for spring.
• If you're reading this looking for something to do — the lawn is fine. Go inside.