Decoding Your Lawn’s Growth Cycle

Grass growth follows a predictable seasonal rhythm that dictates when to mow, fertilize, and treat your turf. After winter dormancy, grass wakes once daily highs hover above 50°F—usually late March or April in the Pacific Northwest. Rapid growth peaks when temperatures reach 70–75°F in May and early June, then slows under mid-summer heat, only to pick up again as days shorten in late summer. Understanding this cycle lets you align every cultural practice with your lawn’s natural energy surges.

Key Growth Phases

• Spring green-up (late March–April): Grass breaks dormancy; root systems regain strength.

• Peak growth (May–early June): Maximum cell division; ideal for mowing and first fertilization.

• Summer slowdown (July–August): Heat stress reduces growth; lighten maintenance intensity.

• Fall rebound (September–October): Cooler nights and residual soil warmth fuel recovery.

• Dormancy onset (November–February): Growth halts; focus shifts to minimizing damage.

Why It Matters

Scheduling tasks—mowing, fertilizing, dethatching—during these windows maximizes efficiency and minimizes stress. For example, applying fertilizer too early stimulates shallow shoots instead of deep roots, compromising drought tolerance later. Matching each intervention to grass physiology ensures a denser, more resilient lawn.