Your Northern Utah Seasonal Lawn Care Calendar

A beautiful, healthy lawn in Northern Utah is a year-round commitment, especially with the unique climate. Your Thompson Brothers 5-Seed Kentucky Bluegrass sod has the potential to be a lush and thriving, but it needs the right care at the right time. This seasonal guide will help you navigate the essential lawn care tasks to keep your sod looking its best from the spring thaw to winter’s chill.

Understanding Northern Utah’s Climate & Your Sod

Northern Utah experiences a range of conditions, from cold, snowy winters to hot, dry summers. Our region spans several USDA hardiness zones, generally from 5a to 7b, meaning average minimum winter temperatures can vary significantly. Kentucky Bluegrass is a cool-season grass that performs well in these conditions if managed correctly. It has excellent freezing tolerance but can be sensitive to drought and heat without proper care. This calendar is tailored to help your specific sod thrive. 

Seasonal Lawn Care Breakdown:

Early Spring (March – April)

• Clean-up: As the snow melts, gently rake away any remaining leaves, twigs, or debris from the previous fall to prevent fungal growth.
• Mowing (Cautiously): Begin mowing once the grass starts growing, typically when temperatures consistently rise. For the first few mows, set your mower blade high, around 3 inches. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at a time.
• Watering (If Needed): Utah can have dry springs. If there’s little precipitation and temperatures are above 60°F, start your watering routine, aiming for 2-3 sessions per week, ensuring deep penetration to encourage strong root growth.
• Aeration (Recommended): Early spring is an excellent time to aerate your lawn, especially if the soil is compacted. Core aeration helps water, air, and nutrients reach the root zone, which is vital in Utah’s often clay-heavy or compacted soils.
• Weed Control (Pre-emergent): Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to control annual weeds like crabgrass before they germinate. This is often effective when soil temperatures reach 55°F.

Late Spring / Early Summer (May – June)

• Fertilization: This is a key time for feeding your Kentucky Bluegrass. Apply a balanced lawn fertilizer, preferably one rich in nitrogen, to promote vigorous growth and a deep green color. Follow product label instructions carefully.
• Mowing: Maintain a regular weekly mowing schedule. For Kentucky Bluegrass, a height of 3 to 3.5 inches is ideal during this period, helping to shade the soil and conserve moisture. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn (grasscycling) can return valuable nutrients to the soil.
• Watering: Continue watering 2-3 times per week, ensuring deep soaks. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall. Water early in the morning to minimize evaporation.
• Pest Monitoring: Keep an eye out for early signs of common Utah lawn pests like billbugs (which favor Kentucky Bluegrass), sod webworms, or grubs. Early detection makes control easier.

Summer (July – August)

• Mowing: Continue weekly mowing, never removing more than one-third of the blade.
• Watering (Crucial): This is peak watering season. Your lawn may need 1.5 to 2.5 inches of water per week, depending on the heat and your specific soil type. Water deeply and infrequently (2-3 times per week) to encourage drought-resistant roots. Always adhere to any local watering restrictions.
• Pest Control: Summer is when pests like grubs, chinch bugs, and armyworms can become more active. Apply targeted treatments if infestations are identified. Preventative grub control can be applied in early summer.
• Weed Control: Spot treat any broadleaf weeds that appear. A healthy, dense lawn is the best defense against weeds.

Early Fall (September – October)

• Fertilization: Apply a fall fertilizer. This is often considered the most important fertilization of the year for cool-season grasses. It helps the lawn recover from summer stress and store energy for winter.
• Mowing: Continue mowing as needed, reducing to a height of 2.5 to 3 inches. As growth slows, you can gradually lower the mowing height with each session.
• Watering: Reduce watering frequency as temperatures cool. Your lawn will likely need about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
• Aeration & Overseeding (Optional but Recommended): Fall is another excellent time to aerate. If your lawn has thin patches, overseeding after aeration can help thicken it up before winter.
• Leaf Cleanup: Begin raking fallen leaves promptly to prevent them from smothering the grass and causing fungal issues in the spring.

Late Fall / Early Winter (November – December)

• Final Mowing: Make your last mowing of the season slightly lower than usual, around 2 inches, once the grass has stopped growing. This helps prevent matting and disease over winter.
• Fertilization (Winterizer): A late fall “winterizer” fertilizer application, typically high in nitrogen, can help sustain your lawn through dormancy and promote early green-up next spring. Apply before the ground freezes.
• Watering: Continue to water, if necessary, until the ground freezes. Reduce frequency significantly. Do not water if the ground temperature is 40°F or below.
• Clean-up: Ensure all leaves and debris are removed from the lawn.

By following this seasonal guide, you can provide your Thompson Brothers Kentucky Bluegrass sod with the consistent care it needs to thrive in Northern Utah’s challenging yet rewarding environment. Remember that these are general guidelines; always observe your lawn and adjust practices based on specific weather conditions and local water regulations. Contact us for more information!