Get monthly cool-season lawn care guidance, seasonal tips, and product recommendations tailored for cool-season regions.
Turf Guides & Seasonal Advice
Welcome to the Turf Guides Library
Here you'll find monthly cool-season turf guides, seasonal lawn care tips, product recommendations, and clear superintendent-level advice to help you improve your lawn one month at a time. New articles are added regularly throughout the year.
Why Weed & Feed and Fertilizer + Pre-Emerergent Combo Products Don’t Work
Most Weed & Feed and fertilizer + pre-emergent combo products don’t work due to poor timing, low active ingredient rates, and inconsistent coverage. This guide explains why—and what products actually give reliable weed control.
Broadleaf Weed Control for Cool-Season Lawns
Broadleaf weeds like dandelions and clover aren’t prevented the same way crabgrass is.
This guide explains what actually controls broadleaf weeds in cool-season lawns, which herbicides work, when to apply them for best results, and why timing matters more than brand choice. Built from a golf course superintendent’s perspective, with safety, label compliance, and long-term turf health in mind.
Seed Selection Guide
Choosing the right grass seed can make or break your lawn. As a golf course superintendent, I break down the best cool-season seed options for lawns mowed above 2 inches—including ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescues, and my top recommendation, tall fescue. Learn what to avoid and what performs best in your climate.
Fertilizer Selection Guide
As a golf course superintendent, I rely on precise fertilization every day. Home lawns don’t need the complexity of liquid programs—granular fertilizers are easier, safer, and far more effective. This guide breaks down N-P-K, natural vs synthetic options, nitrogen types, recommended nutrient rates, and how to choose the right products for a healthier, greener lawn.
How to Choose the Right Fertilizer Spreader for Your Lawn (And Why It Matters)
A complete guide to fertilizer spreaders for cool-season lawns: how they work, how to avoid streaking, how to apply fertilizer correctly, and which spreaders perform best. Perfect for beginners and lawn enthusiasts.
Soils 101: Understanding the Foundation of a Healthy Lawn
Learn how soil texture affects drainage, fertility, and turf performance. This Soils 101 guide covers the role of sand, silt, and clay in cool-season lawns and includes a step-by-step tutorial on using the USDA Web Soil Survey to identify your soil type.
Pre-Emergent Guide for Cool-Season Lawns
The most accurate way to time crabgrass pre-emergent is through Growing Degree Days, soil temperature, and phenology cues. This guide shows you how to use GDDTracker.com to nail the application window.
January Cool-Season Turf Guide
Cool-season lawns rest in January, but homeowners shouldn’t. This guide covers planning your lawn care year, organizing tools, and prepping equipment so you’re ready when spring arrives.