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.
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.