Lawn care calendar for Maryland.
The University of Maryland's calendar gives seasons rather than rates, and it separates fine fescue and zoysia from tall fescue.
Get dates for my ZIP →By LawnYear editorial team · Published · Updated Windows are read from the extension publications listed under Sources; the dates are approximate.
Short answer for Maryland
In Maryland, for tall fescue, seed Aug 15 to Oct 15; fertilize Aug 15 to Oct 31, Nov 1 to Nov 15 and Apr 1 to May 15; weed control Mar 1 to Apr 30, per University of Maryland Extension (2026).
For fine fescue, seed Aug 15 to Oct 15; fertilize Aug 15 to Oct 31 and Nov 1 to Nov 15; weed control Mar 1 to Apr 30, per University of Maryland Extension (2026).
For zoysiagrass, seed May 20 to Jun 10; fertilize May 20 to Jun 30, per University of Maryland Extension (2026).
Approximate dates for your state. Check with your local cooperative extension office before you act.
Windows by grass and task
| Grass | Seed | Fertilize | Weed control | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall fescue | Aug 15 to Oct 15 | Aug 15 to Oct 31Nov 1 to Nov 15Apr 1 to May 15 | Mar 1 to Apr 30 | University of Maryland Extension, 2026University of Maryland Extension, 2026 |
| Fine fescue | Aug 15 to Oct 15 | Aug 15 to Oct 31Nov 1 to Nov 15 | Mar 1 to Apr 30 | University of Maryland Extension, 2026University of Maryland Extension, 2026 |
| Zoysiagrass | May 20 to Jun 10 | May 20 to Jun 30 | not in the source | University of Maryland Extension, 2026University of Maryland Extension, 2026 |
Calendar by grass
Grasses the source covers with one shared calendar are shown together. Open a group for each task, its note and its source. Want dates for your ZIP code? Use the lawn schedule by ZIP tool.
Tall fescue
5 tasks
Tall fescue in Maryland
Seed
Aug 15 – Oct 15
Seed from late summer to mid-October (start date is this site's reading of 'late summer'). New tall fescue lawns are seeded at 6 to 8 lb per 1,000 sq ft. Spring sowing is possible if a project cannot wait; the page suggests waiting until about mid-April in central Maryland.
Tall fescue in Maryland
Fertilize
Aug 15 – Oct 31
Fertilize in late summer to mid-autumn as the lawn needs it (start date is this site's reading of 'late summer'); the page says not to fertilize in summer. The page says the amount depends on a soil test and gives no rate.
Tall fescue in Maryland
Fertilize
Nov 1 – Nov 15
A second dose in late autumn must go on before the November 15 cutoff; shown as November 1 to 15.
Tall fescue in Maryland
Fertilize
Apr 1 – May 15
An optional spring dose for weak or stressed lawns, April to about mid-May (or Memorial Day).
Tall fescue in Maryland
Weed control
Mar 1 – Apr 30
Preemergent herbicide in March to April; it may need more than one application, and the page says not to use one where you plan to seed. Whole months shown.
Fine fescue
4 tasks
Fine fescue in Maryland
Seed
Aug 15 – Oct 15
Seed from late summer to mid-October (start date is this site's reading of 'late summer'). Fine fescue is seeded at 4 to 6 lb per 1,000 sq ft. Spring sowing is possible if needed.
Fine fescue in Maryland
Fertilize
Aug 15 – Oct 31
Fertilize in late summer to mid-autumn as the lawn needs it (start date is this site's reading of 'late summer'); the page says not to fertilize in summer. Fine fescue needs less nitrogen than tall fescue, and the spring dose is skipped if the lawn was fertilized in fall, unless vigor is poor.
Fine fescue in Maryland
Fertilize
Nov 1 – Nov 15
A second dose before the November 15 cutoff if needed; shown as November 1 to 15.
Fine fescue in Maryland
Weed control
Mar 1 – Apr 30
Preemergent herbicide in March to April, possibly more than once. The page warns that broadleaf herbicides can yellow fine fescue. Whole months shown.
Zoysiagrass
2 tasks
Zoysiagrass in Maryland
Seed
May 20 – Jun 10
Plant plugs, seed or sod in late May to early June, with late May best in central Maryland (shown as May 20 to June 10, this site's reading). The page lists 1 lb of zoysia seed per 1,000 sq ft but says starting zoysia from seed is challenging and not recommended because of cost, limited availability and unreliable germination; plugs or sod are the usual route.
Zoysiagrass in Maryland
Fertilize
May 20 – Jun 30
Fertilize in late May to June as needed once green-up begins (start date is this site's reading). A summer dose until mid-August is only for lawns planted at least a month earlier or with poor vigor, and there is no autumn fertilizing.
Three grasses on one calendar page
The Maryland calendar has sections for tall fescue, fine fescue and zoysia, and each lists seeding, fertilizing, preemergent herbicide and mowing timing. It gives seasons and months instead of dated windows, and it gives no nitrogen rate, so the calendars below show the months and the page's own wording for the rest.
Late summer to mid-October, and a firm fertilizer cutoff
Cool-season lawns are seeded from late summer to mid-October, and the page says to fertilize in late summer to mid-autumn, never in summer. For the fescues the second dose has to go on before November 15. A spring dose in April to about mid-May is optional and meant for weak or stressed lawns.
Seed rates come from a separate page
A second University of Maryland page on starting a new lawn gives rates per 1,000 sq ft: 6 to 8 lb for tall fescue, 4 to 6 lb for fine fescue, 2 to 3 lb for Kentucky bluegrass, and 1 lb each for zoysia and bermudagrass, though the page advises against starting zoysia from seed. This site shows tall fescue, fine fescue and zoysia, the three grasses the calendar covers; the other two rates are used only in the calculator.
Zoysia runs on a different clock
Zoysia is planted in late May to early June, and late May is best in central Maryland. Its feeding starts when green-up begins, with a summer dose until mid-August for new lawns or poor vigor, and the page says no autumn fertilizing. For fine fescue the page warns that broadleaf herbicides can yellow the grass, and that it needs less nitrogen than tall fescue.
Sources
The dates and figures on this page come from these publications.
- [1]University of Maryland Extension ↗ (opens in a new tab)Lawn Maintenance Calendar (2026); seasonal timing for tall fescue, fine fescue and zoysia, page updated March 16, 2026. Gives seasons and months, no nitrogen rates.Publication year 2026 · Read 2026-10-30
- [2]University of Maryland Extension ↗ (opens in a new tab)Starting a New Lawn (2026); seeding rates per 1,000 sq ft by turf type, page updated March 16, 2026.Publication year 2026 · Read 2026-10-30