West Point lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant — keep leaves cleared, stay off frozen turf |
| February | Dormant — keep leaves cleared, stay off frozen turf |
| March | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| April | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Light feeding after green-up |
| May | Light feeding after green-up |
| June | Mow high (3–3.5″); water deeply in dry spells; no feeding in heat |
| July | Mow high (3–3.5″); water deeply in dry spells; no feeding in heat |
| August | Mow high (3–3.5″); water deeply in dry spells; no feeding in heat |
| September | Aerate + overseed · Main fall feeding |
| October | Main fall feeding · Winterizer feeding · Final mow of the year |
| November | Final mow of the year |
| December | Dormant — keep leaves cleared, stay off frozen turf |
Reading the West Point lawn year
West Point runs on the classic northern rhythm: a short, important spring (pre-emergent before soil hits 55°F, one light feeding), a defensive summer (mow tall, water deep, feed nothing), and then the season that actually builds a lawn — early fall, when aeration, overseeding around Sep 2 – Sep 17, and the year's main feeding all land before the Nov 1 frost closes the year.
Grasses that fit West Point
Frequently asked questions
When should I overseed my lawn in West Point?
For cool-season grass (bluegrass, fescue, ryegrass), overseed in early fall — in West Point that means roughly Sep 2 – Sep 17, timed 45–60 days before the average first fall frost (Nov 1) so seedlings establish before cold. Spring works as a backup but collides with crabgrass season.
When do I put down crabgrass preventer in West Point?
Aim for Mar 20 – Apr 10 — the estimated stretch when West Point soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Apr 10). It's an estimate: a soil thermometer reading 50–55°F at 2″ depth for several days is the precise trigger, and pre-emergent must go down before crabgrass sprouts, not after.
When should I stop mowing in West Point?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in West Point that's typically until Oct 25 – Nov 15, around the average first fall frost (Nov 1). Take the final cut slightly shorter to discourage snow mold.
What grass grows best in West Point?
New York is cool-season country: Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.