Understanding the role of climate and seasons in lawn maintenance helps homeowners achieve a great-looking yard, no matter the time of year. Read on to learn which zone your home is in and how different types of grasses and their characteristics complement your region’s weather and soil.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its updated 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, categorizing the country into 13 zones according to their lowest yearly temperatures. While zones one and two are too cold for growing grass, the remaining 11 zones each have their own best-suited grass types:
Zone 3 — Northern North Dakota, Minnesota and Maine
Zone 3 grasses must handle freezing conditions:
Kentucky bluegrass: Kentucky bluegrass has a deep root system that helps it survive cold winters and recover quickly in spring.
Perennial ryegrass: Perennial ryegrass germinates and develops healthy roots quickly, making it suitable for quick patches.
Zone 4 — Central North Dakota, Montana and Upstate New York
Zone 4 grasses need deep roots to withstand the cold:
Kentucky bluegrass: Kentucky bluegrass offers a lush, aesthetically appealing lawn if it has good drainage.
Tall fescue: Tall fescue’s deeper root system makes it particularly drought-resistant and happy in several soil types and temperatures.
Zone 5 — Southern North Dakota, Iowa and Central Illinois
Cold-friendly grasses are key in Zone 5:
Kentucky bluegrass: These grasses handle cold winters and warmer months, recovering well from wear.
Fescue blends: Tall fescue and Fine fescue blends are drought-resistant and adapt well to shade and poor soils.
Zone 6 — Maryland, Southern Illinois and New Jersey
Zone 6 experiences winter temperature lows ranging from minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, so your best options are:
Bermuda grass: Bermuda grass thrives in warmer, sunnier areas of zone 6 with regular maintenance.
Tall fescue: Tall fescue’s adaptability to heat and drought suits this zone’s varying climate.
Kentucky bluegrass: Kentucky bluegrass is dependable and works well alongside other grass types.
Zoysia grass: Zoysia offers durability across various conditions with moderate maintenance needs.
Perennial ryegrass: Perennial ryegrass grows rapidly in comparatively cooler highland climates while tolerating consistent heat.
Zone 13 — Hawaii Lowlands
Grasses adapted to tropical climates are best for Zone 13:
Bermuda grass: Bermuda is particularly suited for sunny, moisture-rich areas while still tolerant of occasional droughts.
Zoysia grass: Zoysia provides resilience against foot traffic while keeping a lush appearance in tropical conditions.
Seasonal Lawn Care Tips Grass Seeding and Fertilization in Maryland
Since Maryland falls into Zone 6, your best options for grass types are Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue and Bermuda grass. Follow these seasonal lawn care tips and recommendations for a thriving lawn all year:
Fall Lawn Care
Between August and October, focus on:
Soil testing: Maryland soils are prone to acidity. If you’re planting a new lawn, conduct a soil test at the beginning of the fall. Otherwise, test your soil every three to four years.
Lime application: If soil tests show a pH of less than 6, apply the recommended amount of lime determined by a professional using a lawn spreader.
Fertilization: In September and October, apply 0.7 lbs. to 0.9 lbs. of nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. Keep your fertilizer at a maximum of 2.7 lbs. per year.
Aeration: If your lawn is compacted, core aerate it before overseeding or call in a lawn care service to help air and water reach the roots.
Overseeding: Add extra seeds to prevent weeds and thicken up the grass, particularly in sunny areas. Overseed after the lawn is properly aerated and mowed to 2 inches short.
Seeding deadline: Aim to have all seeds sown by October 15th. It’s better to seed earlier in the fall to avoid frost damage from oncoming winter temperature drops.
Winter preparation: Mow your lawn about half an inch shorter than usual to prevent grass from matting and snow mold forming in the colder months.
Winter Lawn Care
From December to February, keep the following in mind:
Dormancy: Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass generally stop growing and turn brown in Maryland winters. This means they’re dormant, not dead.
Foot traffic: Avoid walking on frozen lawns during winter to protect the grass crowns and roots from compaction and breakage.
Reseeding: If you have a few bare spots in spring, you can sow some extra seeds there in March. If you need to plant a whole new lawn, wait until early fall.
Fertilization: You won’t need to fertilize again if you fertilized heavily in the fall, but you can add up to 0.9 lbs. of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet in May if there’s still left in your 2.7 lb quota.
Weed control: Hand-pull broadleaf or grassy weeds such as dandelions or Japanese still grass. You can apply crabgrass preemergent herbicide, but only if you’re not reseeding in the spring.
Mowing: Keep the grass around 3 inches tall in spring to prevent weeds, never removing more than one-third of the grass height at a time.
Summer Lawn Care
Between June and August, prioritize:
Watering: Established tall fescue lawns typically won’t need watering. They will go dormant during hot, dry weather and recover when conditions become cooler and wetter.
Mowing: Raise your mower height by at least half an inch during dry periods, and only mow if your grass is actively growing.
Grass clippings: Leave clippings on the lawn for natural decomposition, which adds organic matter without causing thatch buildup.
Lawn inspection: At the end of summer, assess your lawn and decide if you need to reseed or overhaul your lawn in early fall.
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