How to Create a Year-Round Lawn Care Program

Creating a Year-Round Program for Your Lawn

Lawn care is all about timing. Give your grass what it needs, when it needs it, and you’ll have a lawn you can brag about. We’re here to help you put together a year-round lawn care program. By the end of this article, you should have a clear idea of what projects you need to do in each season of the year. Ready to get started? Let’s get your year-round lawn care schedule rolling!

Getting Started

Set Your Lawn Care Goals 

Before you start, ask yourself:

• How do you want your lawn to look? 

• How much time can you spend on it? 

• What’s your budget for tools and materials? 

• What are your lawn’s unique needs? (ex: grass type, soil condition, common problems)  

Pick the Right Equipment

A quality mower is your most important investment. We’d look at a Bobcat stand on or zero turn mower (no surprise!). In addition to a mower, it’s good to have a trimmer for clean edges, a leaf blower for cleanup, and a spreader for lawn fertilization. Whatever your equipment, clean your tools after each use and store them in a dry place. 

Indiana Lawn Care Basics

Water & Fertilizer 

In Indiana, your lawn needs about an inch of water per week, whether it’s cool-season or warm-season grass. Fertilizer timing will depend on your grass type. Cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or fescue start growing in early spring, usually around mid-March to early April, as soil temperatures reach 50-55°F. Growth peaks in spring and fall before slowing down in the heat of summer.

Warm-season grasses, if you have them, begin growing later—typically in late May to early June—once soil temperatures hit 65-70°F. They thrive in summer and go dormant as temperatures drop in fall. The most common type of warm-season grass is Bermuda grass. 

Soil Health 

Get a soil test every 3-4 years to see what your lawn actually needs—pH levels, nutrients, and organic matter. If your grass isn’t thriving despite regular care, a soil test can tell you why. Indiana soil is usually slightly acidic to neutral, but if you’ve got clay-heavy soil, you might need to balance things out with lime.  

It’s good practice to test problem spots separately since they might need a different fix. These can look like thin patches or areas that stay soggy for a couple of days. Hold on to your soil testing results—they’ll help you track what’s working and what’s not. 

Quick Guide to a Year-Round Lawn Care Schedule

Spring (March-May):  Time to get your lawn growing again. Cool-season grasses start waking up, so this is the time to fertilize, mow regularly, and tackle weeds before they spread. If you’re planning to aerate, early spring is best. Warm-season grasses stay dormant a little longer. They’ll need fertilizing once they start to green up in late spring. 

Summer (June-August): The heat kicks in. Cool-season grasses may struggle and need extra water—about an inch per week—to stay healthy. Warm-season grasses thrive in the summer sun, so keep up with mowing and take care of any weeds that pop up. 

Fall (September-November): The perfect season for cool-season grasses. Fertilizing, overseeding, and aerating now will help strengthen them before winter. Warm-season grasses start to slow down as temperatures drop. 

Winter (December-February): Grass goes dormant for the season. No need to mow, fertilize, or water—just let it rest until things warm up again in spring. 

Spring Lawn Care

Timing is key. A soil test will tell you if your pH levels are right, and it will tell you what nutrients your lawn needs. The ideal pH range is 6.0-7.2. 

Test Your Soil 

Test every two to three years, ideally before spring growth kicks in. A soil test keeps you from over-fertilizing, and it will pinpoint exactly what your lawn is missing. If you find that you have compacted soil, start aeration in the spring. Aerating early will make a big difference on your lawn’s overall health. 

Stop Weeds Before They Start 

Watch soil temperatures. When they hit 50-55°F for a week, it’s time to act. In most of Indiana, this happens in late March or early April. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide before weeds get a chance to take over. 

Spring Fertilizer 

Feed your lawn three weeks after it greens up (or after mowing two times). Apply fertilizer between February and April and wait 6-8 weeks between applications. In general, it’s good to choose a fertilizer that fits your grass type and addresses any ongoing issues, like weeds or nutrient deficiencies. 

Tip: For most Indiana lawns, use fertilizer that targets crabgrass, dandelions, ground ivy, foxtail, and white clover. 

Summer Lawn Care

Our summers in Indiana can be tough on grass, so a little extra care goes a long way. 

Mowing Height 

Taller grass handles heat better. Set your mower blades to 3-4 inches for most lawns. For cool-season grasses, mow every 10-14 days so that you avoid stressing the turf. 

Watering 

Water early in the morning (before 10 AM) to prevent evaporation. Your lawn needs 1-1.5 inches per week, but don’t water daily. Deep watering 2-3 times a week will encourage stronger roots. 

Watch for Pests 

Keep an eye out for grubs, chinch bugs, and mole crickets. Those pest problems get easier to fix when you catch them early. 

Fall Lawn Care

Fall is the best season for cool-season grasses, making it the perfect time to recover from summer stress. Fertilize twice, applying one treatment in early fall to rebuild roots and another 6-8 weeks later to prep for winter. Aerate and overseed to fill in bare spots and try to get any weeds under control before they go dormant for the winter. And don’t forget to mow your lawn through the fall. Keep it at the right height until growth slows down. 

Tip: If you test your soil in early fall, you’ll have time to adjust pH or nutrients for better spring growth. 

Winter Lawn Care

Before the first frost, take a few steps to protect your lawn and equipment. 

✔ Cut grass shorter: Trim it down to 1-2 inches to prevent disease and matting under snow.
✔ Clean up leaves: A thick layer of leaves can smother your grass. Mulch or remove them before winter.
✔ Reduce watering: Once temperatures drop, your lawn won’t need much moisture.
✔ Winterize irrigation: Drain or blow out sprinkler systems to prevent freezing damage. 

Taking Care of Your Equipment 

Winterize your mower when temperatures drop below 50°F. This is usually when grass stops growing in Indiana. 

Here’s what to do: 

• Drain or stabilize the fuel system 

• Change oil and air filters 

• Clean and sharpen blades 

• Store equipment in a dry place 

Winter is the perfect time to complete preventative maintenance on your mower. If you’re close to Anderson, Ellettsville, Columbus, or Indianapolis, call and set up a preventative maintenance appointment with our Service team. 

Ready to Build Your Year-Round Lawn Care Program?

Good equipment will save you time. With adjustable mowing heights, comfortable controls, and the right tools, lawn care gets really simple. So, if you want to take your lawn from good to great, find the right equipment for your lawn care needs. Contact a Bobcat of Indy sales rep to get started!