How to Maintain a Lawn in Ohio | Seasonal Lawn Care Guide

How to Maintain a Lawn in Ohio: A Seasonal Guide

Maintaining a healthy lawn in Ohio isn’t about guesswork—it’s about timing. Between the heavy clay soils, cool-season grasses like tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, and our unpredictable weather, your yard needs different care in every season. Follow this seasonal lawn care calendar to keep your Ohio lawn thick, green, and healthy all year long.

Spring (March – May): Wake Up the Lawn

As the snow melts and temperatures rise, your lawn begins to green up. This is the time to:

• Clean Up Debris: Rake leaves, remove sticks, and clear leftover mulch to give new growth space to breathe.
• Apply Pre-Emergent Weed Control: Target crabgrass before it sprouts (usually when forsythia bushes start blooming).
• Fertilize Lightly: A balanced fertilizer gives your lawn a gentle boost without pushing too much top growth.
• Lime Treatment (If Needed): Test your soil’s pH. Ohio’s clay soils can be acidic—lime balances it so grass can absorb nutrients.
• Overseed Bare Spots: Early spring overseeding can repair winter damage.

Summer (June – August): Protect and Maintain

Ohio summers bring heat and humidity that stress cool-season grasses. Focus on maintenance and protection:

• Mowing: Keep grass at 3–4 inches to shade roots and prevent weeds.
• Watering: Deeply water once or twice a week, aiming for 1 inch of water total. Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation.
• Spot Weed Control: Use targeted treatments for dandelions and broadleaf weeds.
• Avoid Heavy Fertilizing: Too much nitrogen in summer can burn grass. Stick to lighter applications if needed.

Fall (September – November): The Most Important Season

Fall is the best time to strengthen your lawn before winter.

• Core Aeration: Ohio’s clay soil compacts easily. Aerating in September opens the ground for air, water, and nutrients.
• Overseeding: Combine aeration with overseeding for thicker turf. Cool-season grasses germinate best now.
• Fertilize Heavily: Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer in late fall (the “winterizer”) to feed roots during dormancy.
• Lime Application: Fall is also ideal for lime if soil tests show acidity. The treatment has all winter to work.
• Leaf Removal: Keep leaves off your grass so they don’t smother growth.

Winter (December – February): Rest and Prepare

While your lawn is dormant, there are still a few things you can do:

• Keep Lawn Clear: Avoid parking cars or storing heavy items on grass to prevent compaction.
• Plan Ahead: Schedule spring services like aeration, lime, or renovation with your lawn care provider.
• Equipment Maintenance: Sharpen mower blades, tune up your trimmer, and stock up on fertilizer and seed for spring.

Local Expertise Matters

Timing is everything, and it varies with Ohio’s climate. Knowing when to aerate, fertilize, overseed, or lime makes the difference between a struggling yard and a lush one. At The Lawn MD Lawn Care, we use our knowledge of Franklin, Springboro, Centerville, Middletown, Miamisburg, Lebanon, and Waynesville to give lawns exactly what they need, when they need it.

Ready for a Lawn You’ll Love?

Don’t stress about the calendar—let us handle it. From spring cleanups to fall aeration, The Lawn MD is here to keep your yard in top shape.

📞 Call or text 513-204-9784 today for a free quote.