{"id":461,"date":"2025-08-19T15:40:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T22:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/?page_id=461"},"modified":"2026-02-12T07:42:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:42:04","slug":"lawn-care","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/lawn-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawn Care"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wsu-hero wsu-width--full wsu-pattern--wsu-light-radial-left  wsu-herou002du002dsize-small wsu-herou002du002dstyle-boxed \">\n\t\n\t<div class=\"wsu-image-frame wsu-image-frame--fill\">\n\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2025\/08\/resourcesLibrary.png1536x1024.png\"\n\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2025\/08\/resourcesLibrary.png1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2025\/08\/resourcesLibrary.png1536x1024.png 300w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2025\/08\/resourcesLibrary.png1536x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2025\/08\/resourcesLibrary.png1536x1024.png 768w\"\n\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\"\n\t\talt=\"photo of library books for resource page hero photo\"\n\t\tstyle=\"object-position: 64% 53%\"\n\t\t\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"wsu-overlay wsu-pattern-after wsu-overlay--light wsu-pattern--none\"><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wsu-hero__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-eyebrow-header\">\n\t\t\t\tWSU Extension\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 id=\"title-id-69d7f6199f39e\" class=\"wsu-title wsu-hero__title\"><span>Gardening Resources<\/span><\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wsu-caption wsu-hero__copy\">\n\t\t\t\tEducating gardeners since 1973\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumbs \" typeof=\"BreadcrumbList\" vocab=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/\"><span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to WSU Extension.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/\" class=\"main-home\" ><span property=\"name\">WSU Extension<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/span> &gt; <span property=\"itemListElement\" typeof=\"ListItem\"><a property=\"item\" typeof=\"WebPage\" title=\"Go to Chelan &amp; Douglas Counties.\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\" class=\"home\" aria-current=\"page\"><span property=\"name\">Chelan &#038; Douglas Counties<\/span><\/a><meta property=\"position\" content=\"2\"><\/span><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-spacing-afteru002du002dlarge wsu-row--sidebar-left\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"width:15%\">\r\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wsu-spacing-before--small\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-thumbnail is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/28\/MG-flower-150x150.png\" alt=\"&quot;&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-130\" width=\"113\" height=\"113\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left wsu-font-size--xxlarge wsu-heading--style-marked\">Lawn Care in Central Washington<\/h2>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--sidebar-right\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Central Washington\u2019s&nbsp; hot, arid climate impact lawn care.&nbsp; For an optimal lawn, read about best practices in irrigation, mowing, fertilization, and seedling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2014\/09\/turfgrass_maintenance_calendar.pdf\">Turfgrass Maintenance Calendar for Central Washington (PDF)<\/a> \u2013 Calculate how much to water, how often to mow, and when to fertilize lawns in our area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/home-lawns\">Home Lawns<\/a> \u2013 a 16-page publication describes lawns from seed to summer care to troubleshooting problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seed a New Lawn in Central Washington<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For best performance, seeding a new lawn in Central Washington&nbsp; starts with the right season, the right variety of grasses, and soil preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seed in Spring or Fall<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The best time of year to seed a new lawn in Central Washington is mid-August to mid-September, followed by April to May. These seasons are cooler so the seed bed is easier to keep moist for the germinating seed. In Central Washington, where irrigation water may be available, homeowners would time their planting to dates after water is turned on for the season, or before it is turned off in the Fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing Seed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A blend of two varieties is recommended for Central Washington. The blends will vary depending on whether the lawn is in shade or sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a lawn in a sunny area, we recommend a blend of about 80% Kentucky Blue and about 20% fine fescue. For our area, these varieties are recommended:<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n    <nav class=\"wsu-navigation-vertical wsu-vertical-menu\">\n        <ul id=\"wsu-site-menu\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse wsu-menu-collapse--style-vertical\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/\">MG Home<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/ask-a-master-gardener\/\">Ask a Master Gardener<\/a><\/li>\n<li aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/\">Demonstration Gardens<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Demonstration Gardens\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/\">Community Education Garden<\/a><button aria-label=\"{Open submenu Community Education Garden\" class=\"wsu-menu-collapse--action-toggle\"><\/button>\n\t<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/all-things-woody-garden\/\">All Things Woody Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/butterfly-garden\/\">Butterfly Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/dahlia-garden\/\">Dahlia Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/deer-resilient-garden\/\">Deer Resilient Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/homers-garden\/\">Homer\u2019s Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/natives-n-more-garden\/\">Natives \u2018N More Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/welcome-garden\/\">Rose Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/sun-shadow-garden\/\">Sun &amp; Shadow Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/vegetable-garden\/\">Vegetable Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/welcome-garden-2\/\">Welcome Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/community-education-garden\/winnie-the-pig-garden\/\">Winnie the Pig Garden<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/demonstration-gardens\/leavenworth-fish-hatchery-pollinator-garden\/\">Leavenworth Fish Hatchery Pollinator Garden<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/gardening-resources\/\">Gardening Resources<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/become-a-master-gardener\/\">Become a Master Gardener<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/mg-home\/plant-sale\/\">Plant Sale<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>    <\/nav>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--single\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Central Washington\u2019s&nbsp; hot, arid climate impact lawn care.&nbsp; For an optimal lawn, read about best practices in irrigation, mowing, fertilization, and seedling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wpcdn.web.wsu.edu\/extension\/uploads\/sites\/64\/2014\/09\/turfgrass_maintenance_calendar.pdf\">Turfgrass Maintenance Calendar for Central Washington (PDF)<\/a> \u2013 Calculate how much to water, how often to mow, and when to fertilize lawns in our area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubs.extension.wsu.edu\/home-lawns\">Home Lawns<\/a> \u2013 a 16-page publication describes lawns from seed to summer care to troubleshooting problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seed a New Lawn in Central Washington<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For best performance, seeding a new lawn in Central Washington&nbsp; starts with the right season, the right variety of grasses, and soil preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seed in Spring or Fall<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The best time of year to seed a new lawn in Central Washington is mid-August to mid-September, followed by April to May. These seasons are cooler so the seed bed is easier to keep moist for the germinating seed. In Central Washington, where irrigation water may be available, homeowners would time their planting to dates after water is turned on for the season, or before it is turned off in the Fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing Seed<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A blend of two varieties is recommended for Central Washington. The blends will vary depending on whether the lawn is in shade or sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a lawn in a sunny area, we recommend a blend of about 80% Kentucky Blue and about 20% fine fescue. For our area, these varieties are recommended:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--halves\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-row wsu-row--halves\" >\r\n    \n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Kentucky Blue<br>Bristol<br>Baron<br>Classic<br>Columbia<br>Coventry<br>Eclipse- R<br>Fairfax<br>Glade- S<br>Mesa<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Majestic- \u2013 R<br>Midnight- R<br>Plush<br>Ram I- S<br>Sydsport- I<br>Victa- S Resistance to necrotic ring spot<br>R= resistant<br>I= intermediate susceptibility<br>S= susceptible<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n\n<div class=\"wsu-column\"  style=\"\">\r\n\t\n\n<p>Creeping Red Fine Fescues<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":287,"featured_media":0,"parent":58,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":0,"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_expiration_date":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"cahnrs_clean_page_nonce":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/461"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/287"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=461"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/461\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14833,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/461\/revisions\/14833"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/58"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.wsu.edu\/chelan-douglas\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}