What Your Lawn Needs This Month: April
Your personalized April lawn care guide. Pick your grass type below and every recommendation updates — mowing height, products, rates, and timing — all tailored to your lawn.
Fescue
cool seasonFescue is in peak spring growth. The lawn should be fully green and growing fast. This is one of fescue's two best months — take advantage before summer heat arrives.
Mow Height
3 – 4 inches
Mow Frequency
Every 5 – 7 days
Water / Week
1 in / week
April tasks for Fescue
Apply spring fertilizer
Do this weekApply a balanced fertilizer now that fescue is actively growing and needs mowing. A light spring feeding supports root growth heading into summer. Do not over-apply — fescue does the majority of its growing in fall, and too much spring nitrogen weakens summer heat tolerance.
Mow frequently at full height
Do this weekFescue should be mowed at 3 to 4 inches during spring. With rapid growth, you may need to mow every 5 to 7 days. Raise the mower half an inch for shaded areas. Never remove more than one-third of the blade per mowing.
Remove dead grass from winter
Do this weekIf you have not already done so, mow low once in early April to clip dead tips from winter, then bag and remove the clippings. This removes the insulating layer and lets the soil warm up. Return to full height (3 to 4 inches) immediately after.
Apply preventive grub control
This monthGrub damage shows up in late summer but the time to prevent it is now. A single application of a preventive grub product in April protects your fescue through the fall. Water in immediately after application.
Spot-treat spring weeds
This monthDandelions, clover, and chickweed are active now. Spot-treat with a broadleaf herbicide rather than blanket-spraying the whole lawn. Fescue tolerates most common broadleaf herbicides well, but avoid applying when temps exceed 85 F.
Pro tip for Fescue owners
Spring is tempting, but fall is fescue's real season. Keep your spring fertilizer light — one application is enough. Save the heavy feeding and overseeding for September and October when fescue does its best work.