Quick Answer
Landscape work runs on a zone-shifted calendar — every task happens 2-4 weeks earlier moving south one hardiness zone, and later moving north. Use this guide as a hub: each row links to a deeper guide on the technique. Verify USDA Hardiness Zone at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov (the 2023 update reset many zones a half-step warmer than the 2012 map).
Detailed Guide
How to read this calendar
USDA Hardiness Zones run from zone 3 (coldest, average annual minimum -40°F to -30°F) to zone 10 (warmest, +30°F to +40°F). The zone number determines first frost, last frost, the species that can overwinter, and the timing of every seasonal task. The tables below cover zones 4-10, which contain about 96% of the U.S. population.
Within each zone, microclimates shift the calendar by 1-3 weeks. South-facing slopes and urban heat islands run early; north-facing slopes and rural valleys run late. The first year in a new yard, track first and last frost on your specific lot — it is rarely identical to the zone average.
Plant calendar — when to plant what
Cool-season vegetables and turf go in when soil hits 40-50°F. Warm-season goes in after last frost when soil hits 60°F. Perennials and shrubs go in spring or fall — avoid summer planting in zones 7+ unless irrigated heavily.
| Zone | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Cool-season turf seed | Warm-season turf seed/sod | Trees & shrubs (best) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | May 15-30 | Sep 15-30 | Apr 15-May 15 or Aug 15-Sep 15 | n/a (too cold) | Apr-May or Sep |
| 5 | Apr 30-May 15 | Oct 1-15 | Apr 1-May 1 or Aug 15-Sep 30 | Late May (limited) | Apr-May or Sep-Oct |
| 6 | Apr 15-30 | Oct 15-30 | Mar 15-Apr 30 or Sep 1-Oct 15 | May (transition zone) | Mar-May or Sep-Nov |
| 7 | Apr 1-15 | Oct 30-Nov 15 | Mar 1-Apr 15 or Sep 1-Oct 30 | Apr 15-Jun 15 | Feb-Apr or Oct-Nov |
| 8 | Mar 15-30 | Nov 15-30 | Sep-Oct (cool-season summer-stressed) | Mar-Jul | Oct-Mar |
| 9 | Feb 15-Mar 1 | Dec 1-15 | Limited; overseed Bermuda with ryegrass Oct-Nov | Mar-Aug | Oct-Feb |
| 10 | Jan 30-Feb 15 | Dec 15-Jan 15 (or none) | Overseed Oct-Nov only | Year-round | Nov-Feb |
Prune calendar — by species, by zone
Pruning timing depends more on species than on zone, but the calendar dates shift by zone. See the tree-trimming guide for the full species table.
| Species group | Zone 4-5 | Zone 6-7 | Zone 8-10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oaks (winter only — oak wilt) | Dec-Feb | Dec-Feb | Nov-Jan |
| Maples (avoid sap rise) | Feb-Mar OR Jul | Feb OR Jul | Jan OR Jul |
| Fruit trees (pre-bud) | Late Mar-early Apr | Late Feb-Mar | Jan-Feb |
| Roses (forsythia bloom) | Late Apr-May | Mar-Apr | Feb-Mar |
| Spring-flowering shrubs (lilac, forsythia, azalea) | Within 4 wks after bloom | Within 4 wks after bloom | Within 4 wks after bloom |
| Summer-blooming shrubs (panicle hydrangea, butterfly bush) | Late Apr | Mar-Apr | Feb-Mar |
| Evergreens (within last-year green wood) | May-early Jun | Apr-May | Mar-Apr |
| Crape myrtle (no "crape murder") | n/a | Feb-Mar | Jan-Feb |
Fertilizer calendar — N-P-K timing
Fertilizer follows the grass type, not the zone alone. Cool-season turf takes most nitrogen in fall (Sep-Nov) when roots build reserves; warm-season takes most nitrogen in early summer (May-Jul) during peak growth.
| Turf type | Spring application | Summer application | Fall application | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-season (KBG, fescue, ryegrass) | 0.5-0.75 lb N / 1000 sq ft at green-up | None or 0.5 lb slow-release if irrigated | 1.0-1.5 lb N total split Sep + late Nov (highest-priority feed) | None |
| Warm-season (Bermuda, Zoysia) | 0.5 lb N at full green-up (soil 65°F) | 1.0-1.5 lb N total May-Aug, split | 0.5 lb potassium-heavy (0-0-50) for cold tolerance | None |
| St. Augustine | 0.5-1.0 lb N at green-up | 0.5 lb at midsummer | 0.5 lb in early fall | None |
| Centipede | 0.25-0.5 lb N at green-up | None | None | None (centipede is a low-N grass) |
Never exceed 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per application — higher rates burn the lawn and run off into stormwater. Use a slow-release source (urea coated with sulfur or polymer, 25-50% slow-release) to spread the response across 6-10 weeks.
Most states limit lawn fertilizer P (phosphorus) on established lawns to soil-test confirmed deficient cases only — Maryland, Virginia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, Maine, and Vermont have specific lawn-fertilizer phosphorus bans. Check the bag for the 0 in the middle of the N-P-K number on established lawns.
Treat calendar — weeds, pests, diseases
| Treatment | Trigger | Zone 4-5 | Zone 6-7 | Zone 8-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-emergent (spring) | Soil 55°F at 1" depth / forsythia bloom | Late Apr-May | Mar-Apr | Feb-Mar |
| Pre-emergent (fall — for poa annua, henbit, chickweed) | Soil 70°F dropping | Sep | Sep-Oct | Oct-Nov |
| Grub control (preventive) | Beetles flying | Late Jun-Jul | Jun-Jul | May-Jun |
| Grub control (curative) | Visible damage; pull-back turf test 5+ grubs / sq ft | Sep-Oct | Sep | Aug-Sep |
| Chinch bug treatment (warm-season turf) | First damage signs | n/a | Jun-Jul | May-Sep |
| Scale insect dormant oil | Late winter dormancy | Mar | Feb-Mar | Jan-Feb |
| Anthracnose / leaf spot (fungus) on shrubs | Wet spring weather | May-Jun | Apr-May | Mar-Apr |
| Brown patch / dollar spot on turf | Humid nights >65°F | Jul-Aug | Jun-Aug | May-Sep |
| Fall armyworm (warm-season turf) | Local outbreak alert | Aug (rare) | Aug-Sep | Aug-Oct |
Irrigation calendar
| Zone | System start-up | System winterization |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Late May | Mid-Oct |
| 5 | Early May | Late Oct |
| 6 | Mid-Apr | Early Nov |
| 7 | Early Apr | Mid-Nov |
| 8 | March | December (light freezes only) |
| 9 | Year-round; reduce winter | Not required; back-flow test only |
| 10 | Year-round | Not required |
See How a Sprinkler System Works for component details.
Month-by-month summary, all zones
January-February. Prune dormant trees (oak, maple, fruit). Tune mower; sharpen blades. Order spring seed and pre-emergent. Plan any hardscape installs to book contractors for May start.
March. Soil temperature tracking begins. Apply pre-emergent at 55°F. First fertilizer for warm-season at full green-up in zones 8-10. Sharpen and tune irrigation; pressure-test before full start-up. Plant cool-season vegetables in zones 6-10.
April. First mow for most zones. Pre-emergent for zones 5-6. Spring perennial planting. Mulch refresh — 2-3" depth, kept 2" off trunks (no "mulch volcanoes"). Aerate cool-season lawns on compacted clay only.
May. Plant warm-season annuals after last frost. First nitrogen feed for cool-season turf if not done. Begin grub monitoring in southern zones. Watch for brown patch on St. Augustine in zone 8-10 humidity.
June. Peak growth across all turf. Mow weekly at correct height. Begin water management at 1" per week. Treat chinch bugs in warm-season turf. Apply preventive grub control 2 weeks before adult Japanese beetle emergence.
July. Raise mowing height 0.5" on cool-season for summer stress. Avoid nitrogen on cool-season; apply 0.75 lb on warm-season. Birch pruning window opens. Deep-water trees in heat-stressed zones 7-10.
August. End summer fertilizer on cool-season. Plant fall vegetables in zones 5-7. Begin overseeding prep for cool-season fall renovation. Watch for armyworms across the South.
September. Cool-season fall renovation: aerate, overseed, fertilize. This is the highest-impact lawn-care month for fescue and Kentucky bluegrass. Plant trees and shrubs in all zones. Plant spring bulbs in zones 4-7.
October. Continue fall fertilizer on cool-season. Final mow before winter at standard height. Overseed Bermuda with annual ryegrass for winter green in zones 8-10. Apply fall pre-emergent for poa annua. Plant garlic and spring bulbs.
November. Last cool-season fertilizer (the "winterizer" feed) before ground freezes. Drain or blow out irrigation in zones 4-7. Wrap young tree trunks against sun scald and rodent damage. Apply dormant oil to shrubs with overwintering scale.
December. Plan next year. Oak pruning safe window opens. Sharpen pruners. Review winter weather and adjust the plant list for the next zone shift. Order seed for spring.
When to Hire a Pro
Landscaping has three tiers of work and the right answer depends which tier the homeowner is working in.
Tier 1 — weekly/biweekly maintenance. Mowing, edging, mulching, debris cleanup. A two-acre lot takes a 4-person crew 30-45 minutes and runs $50-$100 per visit. DIY-eligible on lots under 0.5 acres if the homeowner has the equipment and the time. Outsource above 1 acre once mowing becomes a 2-3 hour weekly commitment.
Tier 2 — seasonal applications and renovations. Pre-emergent, fertilizer program, aeration, overseeding, grub control. A licensed pesticide applicator (state-licensed; ask for the license number) runs a full-season program for $400-$800 per acre. DIY savings are real but timing windows are tight — pre-emergent windows close within 7-10 days of forsythia bloom.
Tier 3 — design, install, structural work. Hardscape, irrigation install, tree removal, retaining walls, planting design over $5,000. Always pro work. An ICPI-certified contractor for pavers; an ISA-certified arborist for trees; a state-licensed irrigation contractor for sprinklers; a licensed landscape architect for designs that touch grading, drainage, or structures.
A reasonable hybrid: DIY tier 1, hybrid tier 2 (pro pre-emergent and fertilizer; DIY mowing and overseeding), full-pro tier 3.