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.
Kentucky Bluegrass
cool seasonKentucky bluegrass is spreading via rhizomes and filling in thin spots from winter. Growth is accelerating and the lawn should look its best by month's end.
Mow Height
2.5 – 3.5 inches
Mow Frequency
Every 5 – 7 days
Water / Week
1 in / week
April tasks for Kentucky Bluegrass
Apply spring fertilizer
Do this weekA light nitrogen application now fuels rhizome growth and helps KBG fill in bare spots. Use a balanced fertilizer and keep the rate moderate — KBG benefits more from consistent light feedings than heavy dumps.
Mow at recommended height
Do this weekMow KBG at 2.5 to 3.5 inches every 5 to 7 days. Kentucky bluegrass handles lower mowing better than fescue but still benefits from keeping the canopy at 3 inches or above in areas with summer heat stress.
Apply preventive grub control
Do this weekKBG lawns are a favorite target for grubs because of the dense root system. Apply a preventive grub product now and water in thoroughly. One spring application provides season-long protection.
Core aerate if compacted
This monthSpring is an acceptable time to core aerate KBG, though fall is ideal. If your soil is heavily compacted and water pools on the surface, aerating now while the grass is growing strongly gives it time to recover before summer.
Spot-treat broadleaf weeds
This monthDandelions and clover are the usual suspects in KBG lawns in April. Spot-treat with a broadleaf herbicide. KBG is tolerant of most common herbicides, making it straightforward to treat. Apply on a calm day when temps are between 60 F and 80 F.
Pro tip for Kentucky Bluegrass owners
Kentucky bluegrass is one of the few grasses that repairs itself through underground rhizomes. Thin spots from winter often fill in on their own by late April without any overseeding. Give it a month before deciding to reseed.