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Lawn Care & Maintenance in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Quick answer

Twin Cities lawns are cool-season grasses, mostly Kentucky bluegrass with fine fescue in shade. University of Minnesota Extension puts the most important fertilizer in late summer and early fall, mowing at 3 inches or higher, and deep, infrequent watering. Minnesota law bans phosphorus lawn fertilizer unless a soil test shows a need or you're establishing a new lawn.

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Nearly every lawn in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs is a cool-season lawn. That means the grass grows hardest in spring and fall, slows down in summer heat and dry spells, and spends the winter under snow. A good lawn program in the Twin Cities follows that rhythm rather than a calendar written for somewhere else.

The grasses you'll find here

  • Kentucky bluegrass: the most common lawn and sod grass in Minnesota. It spreads to fill in thin spots and handles traffic, but it wants sun, water and fertilizer to look its best.
  • Fine fescues: the best choice for shade and low-input lawns. They need less water and fertilizer, and University of Minnesota research has made them a focus for low-maintenance lawns.
  • Turf-type tall fescue: deep rooted and wear tolerant, a good option for lower-maintenance sunny lawns.
  • Perennial ryegrass: quick to germinate and often part of seed mixes, but it can be less winter hardy here.

When to fertilize

University of Minnesota Extension's lawn fertilizer schedules put the most important feeding in late summer and early fall (August and September), with an optional application in late spring (May to June) for higher-maintenance lawns. A low-maintenance lawn may need only a single September feeding. Early spring is a common time for heavy feeding, but it is not when Twin Cities lawns benefit most.

Minnesota's phosphorus law

Minnesota prohibits phosphorus fertilizer on lawns unless a soil or plant tissue test shows a need or you are establishing a new lawn from seed or sod. Most lawn fertilizer sold here is phosphorus free for that reason. Fertilizer spread or spilled on driveways, sidewalks or streets has to be cleaned up right away, because it washes into storm drains and on to lakes and the Mississippi. A soil test through the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab tells you what your lawn needs.

Mowing and watering

  • Mow at 3 inches or higher. Extension notes that taller mowing improves lawn quality and reduces watering needs.
  • Remove no more than about a third of the blade at once, and leave clippings on the lawn.
  • Water deeply and infrequently, in the morning, and follow your city's watering days. A lawn that browns during a dry spell is usually dormant, not dead.

Licensing for weed control and fertilizer

Mowing doesn't require a state license, but in Minnesota anyone who applies pesticides for hire needs a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and fertilizer applied for hire requires a fertilizer license as well. Lawn work falls under the Turf and Ornamentals category. You can check a company with the MDA's license lookup before you sign up.

Winter and spring issues

  • Snow mold, matted gray or pink patches after snowmelt, usually recovers with light raking.
  • Salt damage along the street and driveway often needs topsoil and reseeding.
  • Vole trails under the snow and plow scrapes are common spring repairs.

What to ask before signing up

  • Is the program tailored to my grass type and a soil test, or the same for every yard?
  • Which visits include fertilizer, and is it phosphorus free?
  • How much notice do you give before applications, and when is it safe for kids and pets?

Ready for help? Request a lawn care company, or read our guide to choosing grass for a Twin Cities lawn.

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How a sprinkler zone waters a lawn. Press the buttons to run each step and see what happens inside. Made with Colorfigures ·
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Frequently asked questions

When should I fertilize my lawn in Minnesota?

University of Minnesota Extension's schedules center on August and September, with an optional late spring (May to June) application for higher-maintenance lawns. A low-maintenance lawn may need only one September feeding.

Does a lawn care company need a license in Minnesota?

Mowing doesn't. Anyone who applies pesticides for hire needs a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and fertilizer applied for hire requires a fertilizer license. You can check a company on the MDA license lookup.

Can I use fertilizer with phosphorus on my lawn?

Only in specific cases. Minnesota prohibits phosphorus lawn fertilizer unless a soil or plant tissue test shows a need or you are establishing a new lawn by seed or sod. Fertilizer on sidewalks or driveways must be cleaned up right away.

Sources and further reading

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