Dave's Lawn Care Program for Cool Season Grass in Massachusetts - Updated 2026

Early Spring - Dethatch/Organic Fertilizer w/Pre-Emergent/CarbonPro

Step 1: Mow extra low at about 2.5-3 inches and bag the clippings. After mowing use a dethatching tool to comb up matted down grass and accelerate the recovery from possible snow mold. Go over with the mower and again and bag everything. The goal is to remove leaves, twigs, and other winter debris so the grass can breathe.

Step 2: After the lawn is all cleaned up apply organic fertilizer with pre-emergent. Organic matter is essential to activate nature's microbes in the soil and prodiamine creates a barrier to prevent weeds from growing.

Step 3: Apply CarbonPro-G to promote good bacteria, grow deeper roots, and boost fertilizer applications.

Recommended Fertilizers: Earthworks Replenish 8-2-2, Clarus Screamin' Green 16-2-3, or Milorganite 6-4-0.

Recommended Pre-Emergent: Lesco Stonewall 0.37% 0-0-7, or Scotts Turf Builder Triple Action.

Late Spring - Organic Fertilizer/Grub Control/CarbonPro

Step 1: Apply organic fertilizer to feed the soil.

Step 2: Apply Grub control as a preventative.

Step 3: Apply CarbonPro-G to promote good bacteria, grow deeper roots, and boost fertilizer applications.

Recommended Fertilizers: Earthworks Replenish 8-2-2, Clarus Screamin' Green 16-2-3, or Milorganite 6-4-0.

Recommended Grub Control: Lesco Acelepryn 0.067% 0-0-7, or Scotts GrubEX.

Summer - Organic Fertilizer/CarbonPro

Step 1: Apply organic fertilizer to feed the soil.

Step 2: Apply CarbonPro-G to promote good bacteria, grow deeper roots, and boost fertilizer applications.

Recommended Fertilizers: Earthworks Replenish 5-4-5, Clarus Dynamic Duo 4-3-1, or Milorganite 6-4-0.

Early Fall - Aeration/Overseed/Organic Fertilizer

Step 1: Core aeration with a machine that plugs 2.5-3" deep to relieve soil compaction.

Step 2: Overseed with a blend of Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Turf-Type Tall Fescue with cultivars similar to Jonathan Green’s Black Beauty Ultra for improved drought and disease resistance.

Step 3: Apply organic fertilizer to feed the soil.

Recommended Fertilizers: Earthworks Myco-Replenish 3-3-3, Clarus Whole Shebang 6-2-4, or Milorganite 6-4-0,  or if you mulch your grass and leaves apply CarbonPro-G as this will activate living microbes and convert organic material into more nutrients.

Late Fall - Organic Fertilizer/Lime

Step 1: Apply organic fertilizer to feed the soil.

Step 2: Apply Lime to keep soil pH balanced.

Recommended Fertilizers: Earthworks Replenish 8-2-2, Clarus Screamin' Green 16-2-3, Milorganite 6-4-0, or if you mulch your grass and leaves apply CarbonPro-G as this will activate living microbes and convert organic material into more nutrients.

Recommended Lime: Dolomitic Limestone.

Tips

Weeds: Spot spray weeds bi-weekly with Ortho Weed B Gone Plus Crabgrass Control. Maintain a thick lawn to reduce weeds.

Mowing: In the Spring mow low at 3.5" and more frequently (every 5 days opposite directions) to encourage the grass to spread laterally and fill in bare spots. If applying organic fertilizer and the soil is active with micro life, mulch or side discharge grass clippings for microorganisms to breakdown and provide a more extended feeding that keeps the lawn green. In the Summer raise the mowing height to 4" and mow less frequently (bi-weekly) to prevent stress as the grass goes dormant. In the Fall gradually lower the mowing height back down to 3.5" and final cut at 3" before Winter. Keep blades sharp!

Watering: An investment in a sprinkler system should be protected by ensuring each zone is watering properly. Make sure sprinkler head nozzles are spraying efficiently, with full head-to-head coverage. Watering times should be adjusted according to weather patterns (Wi-Fi smart controllers can adjust watering automatically). Water deeply in the early mornings while avoiding night time watering in July and August as wet grass can promote disease when humidity is high.