Lawn Care Schedule for Silver Lake, WI

Weed

2,4-D pre-emergent

Spring pre-emergent timing

A pre-emergent herbicide forms a chemical barrier in the top inch of soil that stops crabgrass and other summer annual grasses as they germinate. Applied too late, it misses the germination window; applied too early, it breaks down before the seeds activate.

Shallow soil temperatures are in the action band at 54.5°F at the Shabbona 5 NNE sensor, 61 miles from your location.

Window: Apr 1 to May 31. Window typically open for 2 to 3 weeks.

Cultivation

Spring core aeration

Core aeration pulls finger-sized plugs of soil and thatch out of the lawn so air, water, and nutrients can reach the root zone. It is the single biggest cultivation lever for compacted, heavily-used turf and pairs well with overseeding.

Shallow soil temperatures are in the action band at 54.5°F at the Shabbona 5 NNE sensor, 61 miles from your location.

Window: Mar 1 to May 31. Window typically open for 2 to 3 weeks.

Cultivation

Spring overseeding (cool-season)

Dropping new seed in spring fills thin spots once 2-inch soil temperatures sustain germination temperatures for tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and ryegrass. Spring overseeding is viable but secondary to fall — summer crabgrass pressure and pre-emergent restrictions make fall the higher-success window.

Shallow soil temperatures are in the action band at 54.5°F at the Shabbona 5 NNE sensor, 61 miles from your location.

Window: Mar 1 to May 31. Window typically open for 2 to 3 weeks.