The difference between a good lawn and a GREAT lawn in Central Pennsylvania? Knowing exactly what to do and when to do it.
Spring (March-May): Cleanup, first mow, pre-emergent timing Summer (June-August): Height adjustment, drought management
Fall (September-November): Critical preparation period Winter (December-February): Equipment maintenance, planning
Professional lawn care services like The Little Lawn Co. (7-time award winner) follow this exact calendar to maintain the healthiest lawns in Altoona, Hollidaysburg, and surrounding areas. Here's the month-by-month breakdown every homeowner needs.
Blair County's unique climate creates specific challenges:
Clay-heavy soil that compacts easily
Temperature swings that stress grass
Unpredictable spring weather patterns
Hot, humid summers with drought periods
Critical fall preparation window
Missing key timing means fighting uphill battles all season. That's why The Little Lawn Co.'s award-winning service follows this precise calendar for every property.
Early March (Ground Still Frozen):
Avoid walking on frozen grass
Plan your season's approach
Schedule equipment maintenance
Book professional services (they fill up fast!)
Mid-Late March (As Snow Melts):
First Critical Task: Clean up winter debris
Look for snow mold damage
Identify areas needing repair
Stay OFF soggy lawns (prevents compaction)
Common March Mistakes:
Mowing too early (damages wet grass)
Heavy equipment on soft ground
Fertilizing before grass is growing
Professional Tip: The Little Lawn Co. monitors soil temperature daily. We know exactly when Blair County lawns are ready for that first service.
Why April Makes or Breaks Your Lawn:
This is when Blair County lawns wake up hungry and determine their trajectory for the entire season.
Early April Tasks:
First mowing when grass reaches 3.5-4 inches
Set mower height to 3 inches (never remove more than 1/3)
Edge walkways for clean spring appearance
Apply crabgrass preventer (timing is CRITICAL)
Mid-April Priorities:
Begin weekly mowing schedule
Monitor for early weed emergence
Check irrigation systems
Address bare spots NOW
Late April Requirements:
Consistent mowing pattern established
Second application considerations
Prepare for rapid May growth
The April Secret: Professional services apply pre-emergent at exactly 55°F soil temperature - miss this window and fight weeds all summer.
The May Challenge: Blair County lawns can grow 3-4 inches per week!
Weekly May Tasks:
Mowing may need increased frequency
Never let grass exceed 4.5 inches
Maintain sharp mower blades (critical now)
Begin monitoring for insects
May Mowing Schedule:
Week 1-2: Every 5-6 days if needed
Week 3-4: Establish summer pattern
Holiday weekends: Plan around events
Professional Advantage: The Little Lawn Co. adjusts visit frequency automatically during growth spurts - no extra charge, just better results.
Early June Adjustments:
Raise mowing height to 3.5-4 inches
Taller grass = deeper roots = drought resistance
Begin drought monitoring
Watch for summer weeds
Mid-June Priorities:
Consistent watering if needed (deep, not daily)
Maintain mowing schedule despite slower growth
Edge and trim for manicured appearance
Monitor for grubs
Late June Preparations:
Prepare for July heat stress
Adjust expectations (some browning is normal)
Focus on consistency over perfection
Blair County July Reality: Your lawn is stressed. Period.
Proper July Management:
Mowing: Keep it TALL (4 inches)
Frequency: May reduce to every 10 days
Watering: Only if absolutely necessary
Fertilizer: AVOID until temperatures drop
What Professionals Do Differently:
Monitor each lawn's specific stress level
Adjust cutting height per property
Skip weeks if growth doesn't warrant
Communicate changes to customers
July Don'ts:
Don't fertilize in heat
Don't mow drought-stressed grass
Don't water daily (creates shallow roots)
Don't panic about some browning
Early August Continuation:
Maintain July practices
Watch for disease development
Prepare for fall recovery
Continue high mowing height
Mid-Late August Opportunity:
Cooler nights = grass recovery
Resume normal mowing schedule
Plan fall renovation needs
Schedule aeration service
The August Advantage: Lawns maintained properly through summer stress recover faster when fall arrives.
Why September Matters: Fall is when grass stores energy for next spring!
Early September Must-Dos:
Resume regular fertilization
Core aeration (BEST time of year)
Overseeding thin areas
Return to normal mowing height
Mid-September Optimization:
Peak growing conditions return
Weekly mowing essential
Perfect renovation timing
Weed control opportunities
Late September Preparation:
Begin gradual height reduction
Prepare for leaf management
Continue consistent schedule
Monitor for fall diseases
Professional September Service: The Little Lawn Co. includes fall preparation in our standard service - no extra charges for seasonal adjustments.
October Balance: Keep grass healthy while preparing for winter
Weekly October Tasks:
Mowing height: 2.5-3 inches
Leaf removal critical (don't smother grass)
Continue until growth stops
Edge for clean winter appearance
October Timing Factors:
First frost typically mid-month
Growth slows but doesn't stop
Leaves become primary challenge
Final fertilization opportunity
The October Rule: Never let leaves cover grass for more than a few days - this is how lawns suffocate.
Early November Requirements:
Continue mowing while growing
Aggressive leaf management
Final cut at 2-2.5 inches
Winterization treatments
Mid-Late November Winddown:
Last mow of season (timing varies)
Final cleanup crucial
Equipment winterization
Plan next year's approach
Why Final Cut Height Matters: Too tall = snow mold. Too short = winter damage. The Little Lawn Co. knows the perfect height for Blair County winters.
While Your Lawn Sleeps:
Avoid heavy traffic on dormant grass
Plan next year's improvements
Book early for spring service
Maintain equipment (or don't - hire pros!)
Winter Damage Prevention:
Minimize salt use near grass
Avoid parking on lawn
Clear snow from walkways promptly
Mark edges for plow drivers
We Monitor Daily:
Soil temperatures
Growth rates
Weather patterns
Pest emergence
We Adjust Automatically:
Mowing height by season
Visit frequency as needed
Service timing for conditions
Treatment applications
You Never Wonder:
"When should I mow?"
"Is it too hot to cut?"
"What height is right?"
"Did I miss something?"
Mowing too early on wet ground
Missing pre-emergent window
Cutting too short too soon
Heavy traffic on soft soil
Mowing during drought stress
Cutting too short in heat
Fertilizing in high temperatures
Inconsistent schedule
Stopping service too early
Ignoring leaf coverage
Missing aeration window
Poor final cut timing
Salt damage from sidewalks
Traffic on frozen grass
No planning for spring
Equipment neglect
Follow this guide religiously:
Set 35+ calendar reminders
Monitor weather constantly
Adjust plans weekly
Hope you get timing right
Let The Little Lawn Co. handle it:
Perfect timing every service
Automatic seasonal adjustments
7-time award-winning expertise
Your weekends stay yours
The difference between struggling with your lawn and enjoying it comes down to timing. Every successful Blair County lawn follows this calendar - the question is whether you'll manage it yourself or let professionals handle it.
Experience: We've perfected this calendar over years of service
Local Knowledge: Born and raised in Blair County
Award-Winning: 7-time "Best Lawn Care Service" winner
Technology: Soil monitors and weather tracking
Communication: Text-friendly service (finally!)
Don't wait until spring when everyone's calling. Lock in your 2025 lawn care now:
Text "2025" to 1-888-455-5296 for your free consultation
Or call 1-888-455-LAWN to speak with our team
Download our complete month-by-month lawn care checklist for Blair County homeowners. Includes:
Exact timing for all applications
Mowing height chart by month
Problem identification guide
Local supplier recommendations
Text "CHECKLIST" to 1-888-455-5296 to receive your free PDF guide.
The Little Lawn Co. serves Altoona, Hollidaysburg, Duncansville, Bellwood, Tyrone, and surrounding Blair County communities with award-winning lawn care services. Professional, reliable, and committed to perfect timing for perfect lawns.
Starting at just $36/week. No contracts. Satisfaction guaranteed.
©The Little Lawn Co 2025 All Rights Reserved.