MAINTENANCE CALENDAR

Last updated 2/27/98

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Maintenance Calendar

for Indiana Lawns

Zac Reicher and Clark Throssell
Purdue University Turfgrass Specialists

AY-27

This calendar provides a guideline for typical maintenance of Indiana lawns. The maintenance level that you choose depends on your expectations of your lawn and your time commitment. For purposes of this publication, maintenance levels were defined as:

High For those who want the densest, greenest, healthiest lawn and are willing to commit considerable time and money to maintenance
Medium For those who want an acceptable-looking lawn, but are not willing to commit significant time and money into upkeep
Low For those who want an average-looking lawn with a minimal amount of inputs

This calendar relies on more detailed information found in other publications. Please refer to the following publications for more information:

AY-7 Irrigation Practices for Homelawns
AY-8 Mowing, Thatching, Aerifying and Rolling Turf
AY-9 Control of Broadleaf Weeds in Homelawns
AY-10 Control of Crabgrass in Homelawns
AY-22 Fertilizing Established Lawns
AY-26 Should I Hire a Professional Lawn Care Service

Maintenance Level

Month

High

Medium

Low

Practices

Notes

March	X			Watch for snow mold damage as snow recedes	Snow mold is possible under snow or matted leaves, rake infected area to help dry out.
April	X X	X X	X	Mow at 2.5-3.5" Apply a preemergence herbicide if crabgrass hasbeen a problem in the past	Begin mowing as soon as lawn greens-up and begins growing. Use a product containing little or no nitrogen. Any N in the product should be a slow-release form such as sulfur- or polymer-coated urea, urea formaldehyde, or a natural organic. Avoid applying more than 0.75 lbs N/1000 ft².
May	X . X . X . . X . . X	X . . . . X . . X	X	Continue mowing at 2.5-3.5" Aerification and/or power raking if needed Apply 0.75-1.0 lbs. N/1000 ft² . Dandelions can be spot sprayed with a broadleaf herbicide Watch for red thread in slow-growing lawns	Frequent mowing is needed during this time to avoid removing more than 1/3 of the leaf blade during a single mowing. Aerification will help alleviate compaction and thatch while power raking will help alleviate only thatch. Use a product containing mostly slow release N, but do not fertilize now if fertilizer was applied with a preemergence herbicide in April. Wait until flowering to apply herbicide in spring, safer and more efficient dandelion control is achieved with broadleaf herbicide applications in October. Red thread can be minimized with fertilizer application.
June	X . X . X . X	X . . X	X	Continue mowing at 2.5-3.5" Irrigate as needed . Watch for red thread, dollar spot in slow-growing lawns Apply postemergence herbicide if undesirable amount of crabgrass develops	. Irrigate thoroughly, and then do not water again until the first signs of drought stress are seen. If disease outbreak is severe, consider applying 0.5-0.75 lbs N/1000 ft². Follow label directions carefully, and do not apply when temperatures are over 80^oF or to drought-stressed turf.
July	X . X X . X	X . . X	X	Continue mowing at 2.5-3.5" Irrigate as needed Apply 0.75 lbs. N/1000 ft² . Start scouting for white grubs	. Fertilize only on irrigated lawns or during summers with above average rainfall and use a product containing slow release N. If lawn has a history of white grub damage, consider applying insecticide containing Merit in early July.
August	X X . . X . X	X . . X . X		Irrigate as needed Reseed thin or bare areas starting in the middle of August Watch for rust in slow growing lawns Continue scouting for white grubs	Optimum seeding window is Aug. 15 to Sept. 15 in central IN. . . Irrigate to encourage growth and if disease outbreak is severe, consider applying 0.5-0.75 lbs N/1000 ft². If grubs are found, or lawn has a history of white grub damage, consider applying insecticide other than Merit in early August.
September	X X . X . X	X . X . X	X	Apply 1 lb. N/1000 ft² Aerification and/or power raking if needed Watch for rust in slow-growing lawns Watch for white grub damage	Should be done only when grass is growing vigorously. . Irrigate to encourage growth and the application of fertilizer should help minimize damage. If grub damage is found, increase irrigation and consider application of the insecticide Dylox.
October	X . X . X	X . X . X	X . X	Control dandelions and other broadleaf weeds now Continue mowing at 2.5-3.5" Watch for rust in slow-growing lawns	Spot sprays or blanket applications of broadleaf herbicides containing 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP are most effective. Continue as long as grass is growing and to mulch tree leaves into turf. Irrigate to encourage growth and if disease outbreak is severe, consider applying 0.75-1.0 lbs N/1000 ft².
November	X . X	X . X	X . X	Apply 1.5 lbs. N/1000 ft² . Continue mowing at 2.5-3.5"	Use a fast release N product such as urea and apply after the final mowing but while the grass is still green. DO NOT reduce the mowing height for the last few mowings; continue mulching tree leaves into the turf.

Purdue University

Cooperative

Extension Service

West Lafayette

Indiana 47907

3/98

Cooperative Extension work in Agriculture and Home Economics, state of Indiana, Purdue University, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating;
H. A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.
The Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access institution

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