Publication 430-523

Maintenance Calendar for Cool-Season Turfgrasses in Virginia

Authored by Mike Goatley, Shawn Askew and David McCall, Virginia Tech; and Chantel Wilson, 4-H STEM Specialist, Penn State Extension

Predominant cool-season turfgrasses for Virginia lawns include Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and fine-leaf fescues. This calendar presents approximate preferred and second-best months for common maintenance activities.

Annual Maintenance Calendar

  • Preferred timing
  • Second-best timing
  • No timing shown in the publication
Recommended timing by maintenance activity and month
Maintenance activity Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Seeding: initial establishment or renovation Second best Second best Second best Preferred Preferred
Nitrogen fertilization Second best Second best Second best Preferred Preferred Preferred Second best
Preemergence (PRE) herbicides Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred
Postemergence (POST) herbicides Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred Preferred
Cultivation or dethatching Second best Second best Preferred Preferred

Note: The timing bars in the original publication begin or end within some months. This accessible table summarizes those approximate periods by month.

Maintenance Notes

  1. Seeding rates: Recommended rates per 1,000 square feet are 2-3 pounds for Kentucky bluegrass, 6-8 pounds for tall fescue, 4-6 pounds for perennial ryegrass and 3-5 pounds for fine-leaf fescues. Sod is also available for most of these grasses. Consult Virginia Cooperative Extension publication 426-718, Establishing Lawns, for more information.
  2. Nitrogen fertilization: Up to 0.7 pound of water-soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet every 3-4 weeks is recommended during the preferred fall period. Levels of 0.25-0.5 pound of water-soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet every 4-8 weeks are recommended during second-best periods. Controlled-release nitrogen sources containing at least 15% water-insoluble nitrogen can be applied up to 0.9 pound per 1,000 square feet per active growing month. Apply other nutrients and/or lime based on soil-test results. Test home lawn soils every 3-4 years.
  3. Preemergence herbicides: Spring applications primarily target summer annual weeds such as crabgrass, goosegrass or foxtails. Fall applications primarily target annual bluegrass and winter annual broadleaves such as henbit, deadnettle, chickweed and geranium. Before applying any PRE herbicide, consider possible effects on future seeding of desirable turfgrasses.
  4. Postemergence herbicides: Weeds must be actively growing to achieve control. Treat cool-season weeds when temperatures are at least 50°F. Warm-season weeds require temperatures of at least 80°F for maximum control. Proper weed identification is critical. Use the Virginia Tech Weed Identification resource or contact an area horticultural agent. For chemical recommendations, consult the current Pest Management Guide: Home Grounds and Animals.
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech and Virginia State University

Produced by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, 2025.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, military status or any other basis protected by law.

View the original Virginia Cooperative Extension publication.

VT0225/430-523 (SPES-670P)