Month-by-month lawn care guide for Treasure Valley homeowners. Expert calendar covering mowing, fertilization, aeration, and seasonal tasks for Idaho lawns.
Your Year-Round Lawn Care Roadmap
Successful lawn care in the Treasure Valley requires understanding our unique climate and timing your maintenance activities accordingly. With hot, dry summers, cold winters, heavy clay soil, and limited rainfall, Idaho lawns face different challenges than those in other regions. This comprehensive month-by-month calendar provides the exact timing for every lawn care task, helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful lawn throughout the year.
Whether you're a new homeowner in Kuna learning to care for your first lawn, or an experienced gardener in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, or Middleton looking to optimize your maintenance schedule, this calendar guides you through the essential tasks each month. Remember that exact timing may vary slightly based on weather conditions each year—use this calendar as a framework and adjust based on what you observe in your own yard.
January
Theme: Winter Dormancy and Monitoring
Your lawn is fully dormant, but that doesn't mean you can ignore it completely.
Key Tasks:
- Monitor for ice sheet formation in low areas
- Keep sidewalks clear to prevent foot traffic on frozen lawn
- Avoid piling salty snow on lawn areas
- Check for vole activity during snow-free periods
- Service lawn equipment while not in use
- Order seed and supplies for spring
What Not to Do:
- Don't walk on frozen grass
- Don't apply fertilizer or any lawn products
- Don't rake or disturb dormant turf
February
Theme: Late Winter Preparation
Watch for early thaws and begin planning your spring lawn care program.
Key Tasks:
- Monitor for snow mold as snow melts
- Note salt damage along sidewalks and driveways
- Schedule spring lawn care services
- Plan soil amendments for problem areas
- Prepare equipment for spring use
- Watch for first signs of grass greening
What Not to Do:
- Don't start mowing—it's too early
- Don't fertilize yet
- Don't walk on saturated lawn
March
Theme: Spring Awakening
Your lawn begins emerging from dormancy. Focus on cleanup and preparation.
Key Tasks:
- Begin spring cleanup when ground is firm
- Rake areas affected by snow mold to promote drying
- Remove winter debris from lawn and beds
- Assess winter damage and plan remediation
- Flush salt-affected areas with water
- Clean and sharpen mower blades
- Watch for early weed emergence
Mowing: First mowing typically occurs late March if grass is actively growing. Set height at 2.5-3 inches.
April
Theme: Active Growth Begins
April is a busy month for lawn care as growth accelerates.
Key Tasks:
- Apply pre-emergent weed control by mid-April (critical timing!)
- Start irrigation system and inspect all zones
- Schedule irrigation repairs for any problems found
- Begin regular mowing schedule (weekly to 10 days)
- Overseed bare spots (skip pre-emergent in these areas)
- Consider spring aeration for severely compacted lawns
- Control existing weeds with post-emergent products
Mowing Height: 3 inches. Never remove more than 1/3 of blade height.
Irrigation: Start with 2 days per week, adjusting as temperatures warm.
May
Theme: Growth Peak
May brings rapid growth and the transition to summer conditions.
Key Tasks:
- Apply spring fertilization (first application)
- Increase mowing frequency to weekly or more
- Adjust irrigation for warming temperatures (2-3 days/week)
- Monitor for early pest activity
- Control spring weeds that escaped pre-emergent
- Complete any spring overseeding by early May
- Edge and trim lawn edges
Mowing Height: Raise to 3-3.5 inches as temperatures increase.
June
Theme: Summer Transition
Transition lawn care practices for hot, dry summer conditions.
Key Tasks:
- Increase irrigation to 3 times per week
- Raise mowing height to 3.5 inches for summer
- Apply grub preventive treatment if history of damage
- Monitor for summer pests (billbugs, sod webworms)
- Watch for signs of drought stress
- Trim hedges and shape shrubs
- Apply mulch to conserve moisture in beds
Irrigation: Water early morning (4-7 AM) to minimize evaporation. Apply 1-1.5 inches per week including rain.
July
Theme: Summer Stress Management
The hottest month demands careful attention to water and stress management.
Key Tasks:
- Increase irrigation to 3-4 times per week during extreme heat
- Maintain mowing at 3.5 inches (taller grass shades soil)
- Mow only when necessary—growth slows in heat
- Monitor for chinch bugs and other summer pests
- Spot-treat weeds carefully (avoid during extreme heat)
- Check irrigation system for efficient operation
- Avoid fertilization during heat stress
Important: Don't fertilize in July—nitrogen stress is harmful during extreme heat.
August
Theme: Late Summer and Fall Preparation
Begin preparing for fall recovery while managing ongoing summer stress.
Key Tasks:
- Continue careful irrigation (reduce slightly late month)
- Monitor for grub damage (peak feeding time)
- Treat grub infestations if detected
- Schedule fall aeration and overseeding
- Begin reducing mowing frequency as growth slows
- Plan fall lawn care program
- Assess summer damage for fall renovation
Late August: Begin lowering mowing height toward 3 inches in preparation for fall.
September
Theme: Fall Renovation Season
The most important month for lawn improvement in Idaho.
Key Tasks:
- Schedule and complete core aeration (critical!)
- Perform overseeding of thin and damaged areas
- Apply fall fertilizer in late September
- Control perennial weeds (excellent time for dandelion treatment)
- Reduce irrigation as temperatures cool (2-3 times/week)
- Resume regular mowing as growth picks up in cooler weather
- Dethatch if layer exceeds 1/2 inch
Mowing Height: Maintain 3 inches through September.
October
Theme: Fall Completion and Winterization
Complete fall tasks and prepare for winter dormancy.
Key Tasks:
- Apply winter fertilizer in early October
- Complete fall cleanup of leaves and debris
- Lower mowing height to 2.5 inches for final mowings
- Schedule sprinkler winterization
- Continue leaf removal through month
- Complete any remaining weed treatments by mid-month
- Clear lawn of equipment and items before frost
- Final edging and trimming
Irrigation: Reduce to once weekly, then stop by mid-month in most years.
November
Theme: Winter Preparation Complete
Finish all outdoor tasks before hard freeze arrives.
Key Tasks:
- Complete sprinkler blowout by early November
- Final leaf cleanup
- Final mowing if grass is still growing
- Clean and store lawn equipment properly
- Protect vulnerable plants from frost
- Apply dormant fungicide if snow mold history
- Winterize all outdoor water connections
Last Mowing: Final cut when grass stops growing (usually early-mid November).
December
Theme: Winter Rest
Your lawn is dormant and most outdoor work is complete.
Key Tasks:
- Verify all winterization is complete
- Minimize traffic on frozen lawn
- Use lawn-safe ice melt on walkways
- Service equipment during off-season
- Plan next year's lawn care program
- Order supplies for spring
Quick Reference: Seasonal Task Summary
| Task | Optimal Timing | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Core Aeration | September (fall is best) | Annually |
| Overseeding | September-early October | As needed |
| Pre-emergent Weed Control | Mid-April | Annually |
| Spring Fertilization | Early May | Annually |
| Fall Fertilization | Late September-early October | Annually |
| Sprinkler Blowout | Late October-early November | Annually |
| Dethatching | September | Every 2-3 years |
| Mowing | March through November | Weekly during active growth |
Professional Lawn Care Services
Following this calendar ensures your lawn receives proper care throughout the year. However, many homeowners prefer professional service for some or all of these tasks. Whether you need comprehensive year-round care or just help with specific seasonal tasks like aeration and fertilization, Lawn Care Kuna provides expert service tailored to Treasure Valley conditions.
Serving Kuna, Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Middleton, and surrounding communities, we understand the specific timing and techniques that produce the best results in our unique climate.
Request a free quote for lawn care services, or contact us to discuss creating a customized lawn care program for your property.