Our 2024 Tulsa Lawn Care Schedule

Caring for your lawn throughout the changing seasons can be an overwhelming task. With a diverse climate and different grass types, Tulsa turfgrasses need specific care year-round. A well-maintained lawn can be the envy of the neighborhood and adds curb appeal to your Oklahoma home. With our Tulsa Lawn Care Schedule for 2024, you’ll be well on your way to achieving just that! 

The Best Grass Types for Oklahoma Lawns

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of lawn care, let’s talk grass! In Oklahoma’s varying climate, warm-season grasses like Bermuda and cool-season grasses like Fescue can both thrive. When caring for different grass types, it’s important to know what they need as the seasons change. The peak growing season for Bermuda grass is during summer, while fescue’s peak season begins in the fall. Our Oklahoma lawn care schedule will guide you through how to maintain a lush, healthy lawn in Tulsa! 

Spring Lawn Care

Spring in Tulsa is an important time for lawn maintenance. Bermuda grass is just waking up from winter dormancy and will need special attention to prepare for the peak growing season. Fescue lawns thrive in early spring when temperatures are still cool. They will need continued lawn maintenance, fertilization, and weed control to stay healthy and prepared for the upcoming summer heat.  

Fertilization 

Applying a balanced fertilizer in spring will encourage green-up for Bermuda lawns. For fescue lawns, apply a nitrogen fertilizer in early to late spring before summer weather kicks in.  

Mowing & Watering 

Warm-season lawns should be mowed at 1 1/2 to 2 inches and the recommended mowing height for fescue is around 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 inches. Always remember to mow often enough to follow the One-Third Rule, which means you never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade in one cutting. Bag your grass clippings for the first mow of the season to limit debris and thatch build-up. Pay attention to rainfall and water supplementally through early spring. By April or May, increase watering to keep the lawn hydrated as temperatures rise.  

Weed Control 

Spring is a crucial time for weed control on Bermuda lawns. Pre-emergents are the key to getting ahead of difficult summer weeds like crabgrass. Pre-emergent herbicides should be applied in mid-February through March for the best results. A second round of pre-emergents may boost your lawn’s protection, as well. Fescue lawns can be treated with post-emergent weed control for active broadleaf weeds.  

Aeration

Core aeration during spring is highly recommended for warm-season grasses. Aeration helps alleviate compaction and build stronger root systems before the peak growing season. For fescue lawns, spring overseeding is the second-best option. If the lawn is especially thin or weak, it can be helpful. But fall is the best time of year to overseed fescue lawns to see the best results.  

Lawn Pest Control and Disease Control 

Spring Dead Spot is a common lawn fungus in Bermuda lawns during spring. Signs of this disease start to appear around April and may need to be addressed with a fungicide. Grub control may also be needed in spring. White grubs can be treated with a preventative insecticide during late spring to limit activity when they start feeding in the fall.  

Summer Lawn Care

Summertime weather can be hot and dry, and lawns need consistent watering, proper mowing, and continued fertilization and weed control to stay lush and green. Fescue lawns often struggle with heat stress during Oklahoma summers and need to be handled with care.  

Weed Control and Fertilization 

During summer, post-emergent weed control can be used to address grassy and broadleaf weeds that couldn’t be prevented in spring. Apply a balanced fertilizer on warm-season grasses during the summer months.  

Mowing 

Continue mowing at the recommended heights for your grass type. Avoid mowing too low to prevent heat stress from exposing the soil surface to summer heat. Since summer is the most active growing season for warm-season grasses, you may need to mow more frequently to follow the One-Third Rule. 

Watering  

Watering during summer is crucial for any grass type to stay healthy and lush. It’s recommended to water deep, less frequently to encourage strong root systems. Watering in short spurts will promote shallow roots and affect the overall health of your grass. Bermuda lawns need at least one inch of water per week. Fescue lawns may need as much as 2 inches during periods of dry, hot weather.  

Pest Control and Disease Control 

Dollar spot fungus may be common during early summer on Bermuda lawns. It may be a sign of a nutrient deficiency and can be resolved with a nitrogen fertilizer or fungicide. By June or July, brown patch fungus may invade fescue grasses and should be treated with a fungicide.  

Fall Lawn Care

Fall is a much-needed break for fescue lawns as temperatures cool down. Cool-season grasses begin their peak growing season in late fall, making it a great time of year to repair and replenish a stressed fescue lawn. Warm-season grasses will need preparation for winter dormancy by restoring nutrients and maintaining health through the fall.  

Weed Control  

Pre-emergents should be applied again in the fall months to prepare winter annual weeds. During winter, warm-season grasses go dormant but weeds do not! Prevent winter weeds with a pre-emergent application around September and address any actively growing weeds with post-emergent weed control. Avoid pre-emergent in Fescue lawns if you’re planning on fall overseeding.  

Fall Fertilization 

Applying fertilizer during fall is very beneficial to warm-season grasses. Fall is the time to restore nutrients that were used up through summer. Fall fertilization should also include potassium and phosphorus to improve winter hardiness. 

Aeration and Overseeding  

Finally, the ideal time for fall overseeding is here. The best time for overseeding in Oklahoma is mid-September through October. Fescue lawns should be aerated and overseeded to fill in bare spots, improve turf density, and improve overall appearance. After overseeding, watering is key to seeing the best results from your new grass seed. 

Pest Control 

Fall is also the time of year when white grubs become a common pest in Tulsa lawns. Grubs nest in the soil just below the surface and feed on the roots of your lawn. Homeowners who are concerned about grubs can do a “tug test”. If the section of grass pulls up easily like carpet, grubs are present and an insecticide should be applied. 

Winter Lawn Care

The winter months are a slower time for lawn maintenance tasks, but the work doesn’t stop here. While warm-season lawns are in dormancy, they may still benefit from winter TLC. It’s a great time of year to conduct soil testing to check for nutrient deficiencies. Limestone can also be applied during winter which acts as a pH balancer for the soil. Soil samples can be sent to the Oklahoma State Extension office to get a full report on the condition of the soil.  

Professional Year-Round Lawn Care in Tulsa

Tulsa homeowners looking for trusted and professional lawn care can call Green Group Oklahoma. We have years of experience offering lawn care services in Tulsa. Our lawn care programs are designed for warm and cool-season grass types in Oklahoma. We also offer tree and shrub care, lawn pest control, overseeding, mosquito control, and more. Contact us today for a free quote!