Seasonal checklists, seeding & fertilizer tips
The Ultimate Lawn Care Guide
A healthy lawn doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built season by season with the right care at the right time.
Our lawn care guide breaks down exactly what to do throughout the year whether you’re starting fresh, fixing patchy grass, or just trying to keep your yard looking its best...including how to seed your lawn and apply fertilizer the right way.
What You’ll Need for Lawn Success
Having the right products makes lawn care easier and more effective:
- Grass seed for your region
- Seasonal fertilizers
- Weed control solutions
- Soil and mulch
- Lawn care tools
Not sure what’s right for your lawn? Stop by Stew Leonard’s Garden Shop and our team will help you choose the best products for your yard and the season.
Spring Lawn Care
Spring is where your lawn wakes up and what you do now sets the tone for the rest of the year.
What to focus on:
- Clear leaves, debris, and dead grass
- Test your soil (pH and nutrients)
- Apply pre-emergent weed control
- Seed bare or thin areas
- Start a consistent watering routine
Stew's Garden Shop Tip: Stopping weeds early is much easier than trying to remove them later.
Seeding in Spring
Spring is a great time to repair damage from winter and fill in thin areas. For best results, follow our How to Seed Your Lawn guide.
Spring Fertilizing
A light feeding in early spring helps your lawn green up and grow stronger. Not sure how much to apply? See how much fertilizer you'll need.
Summer Lawn Care
Summer is about maintaining your lawn without stressing it.
Summer Checklist
- Water deeply 1–2 times per week (early morning is best)
- Keep grass slightly taller to protect roots
- Spot treat weeds as needed
- Monitor for pests and lawn disease
Stew's Garden Shop Tip: Cutting your grass too short can cause it to dry out faster in the heat.
Fall Lawn Care
Fall is one of the most important seasons for long-term lawn health.
Fall Lawn Checklist
- Aerate your lawn to improve soil health
- Overseed to fill in thin areas
- Apply fall fertilizer
- Continue watering as needed
- Remove fallen leaves regularly
Seeding in Fall (Best Time)
Fall offers ideal conditions for seeding. The soil is still warm, and weed competition is lower. Follow our How to Seed Your Lawn guide for best results.
Fall Fertilizing
Fall is the most important time to fertilize. It helps your lawn store nutrients for winter and come back stronger in the spring. See how much fertilizer you'll need.
Winter Lawn Care
Your lawn may be dormant, but it still needs protection.
Winter Lawn Care
- Avoid heavy foot traffic on frozen grass
- Clear debris before snowfall
- Plan ahead for spring lawn care
A great lawn isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about doing the right things at the right time.
Stay consistent, follow the seasonal rhythm, and your lawn will reward you with stronger, healthier growth all year long.
Stop by Stew Leonard’s Garden Shop. Our team can help you find what works best for your space and season.
How Much Fertilizer Do I Need for My Lawn?
Getting the right amount of fertilizer matters. Too little won’t help your lawn grow, and too much can damage it.
This simple guide helps you figure out how much to apply based on your fertilizer type.
1. Measure Your Lawn
To get started, figure out the size of your lawn:
- Measure length × width
- Multiply to get total square footage
Example:
A lawn that is 20 ft × 50 ft = 1,000 sq ft
2. Check Your Fertilizer
Look at the label on your fertilizer bag for the nitrogen percentage (N).
This is the first number in something like:
- 10-10-10 → 10% nitrogen
- 20-0-10 → 20% nitrogen
3. Calculate Your Total
Using the table above, determine total amount of fertilizer needed.
Example:
- Lawn = 2,000 sq ft
- Fertilizer = 10% nitrogen
- Need = 10 lbs per 1,000 sq ft
Total = 20 lbs
Pro Tips
- Apply fertilizer evenly using a spreader
- Water lightly after application
- Avoid applying before heavy rain
- Don’t over-apply more is not better
Need Help Getting Started?
Not sure what seed, fertilizer, or products are right for your lawn?
Stop by Stew Leonard’s Garden Shop and our team will help you choose what works best for your space and the season.