From a favorable spring that encouraged strong grass growth to a record-breaking fall drought, 2024 brought unique challenges and opportunities for lawn care. Warmer temperatures, increased pest activity, and shifting weather patterns highlighted the importance of proactive lawn care strategies. By analyzing last year’s trends, we’ve identified key takeaways to help homeowners better prepare for the season ahead. Whether it’s following a proper mowing and watering schedule, managing grubs, or increasing organic matter in the soil, these insights will help set the foundation for a healthier, more resilient lawn in 2025.
2024 Lawn Care Through the Seasons
Spring 2024: Unlike in 2023, the spring of 2024 provided favorable growing conditions in New England. Warmer soil temperatures and consistent rainfall encouraged robust early growth. Thick, healthy lawns are more resilient and better able to withstand pests and environmental stressors. The excess moisture also led to higher disease pressure in some cases, though nothing was severely detrimental on a regional scale.
Summer 2024: Early summer was hotter than usual, along with moderate rainfall, creating humid conditions that promoted lawn diseases. Lawns that were seeded in spring handled the summer stress better, while those left unseeded thinned out. Hot temperatures continued through summer, with insufficient rainfall to fully hydrate lawns, contributing to lawn stress and increased weed growth, including crabgrass and spurge. Additionally, grub activity rose, causing further damage to weakened lawns.
Fall 2024: In early fall, New England experienced minimal rainfall and inconsistent temperatures, which slowed seeding germination and prevented effective soil decompaction. Summer weeds continued to persist longer due to these conditions. Late fall brought one of the worst droughts in 25 years, halting growth in under-watered lawns. Lawns seeded and treated with compost topdressing showed significantly better results.
Trends to Watch:
Grub Infestation: This past summer, we observed an increase in beetle populations across the region, leading to an increase in destructive white grub activity. Beetles, at their adult stage, are pests to ornamental plants, but their larvae—white grubs—are a serious threat to lawns in late summer and early fall. Grubs feed on grassroots, weakening turf and causing significant damage when populations are high. To combat this, we use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a natural bacterium that disrupts grub digestion and eliminates them in their larval stage, preventing long-term damage to your lawn.
Summer Stress & Crabgrass Pressure: Crabgrass remained highly invasive this past season due to extended periods of heat and humidity, which created ideal conditions for weed growth. As an annual weed, crabgrass produces up to 15,000 seeds per plant, spreading easily through foot traffic, mowing, wind, and animals. It thrives in compacted soil, hot and dry conditions, and weak or thinning lawns, making stressed lawns particularly vulnerable.
Fall Drought: Severe drought conditions—among the worst in 25 years—affected many areas of Massachusetts this past fall, causing prolonged dry spells that slowed grass seed germination and stunted lawn recovery. However, our drought-tolerant grass varieties performed exceptionally well, particularly when combined with aeration and topdressing services. As droughts become more frequent in the Northeast, improving soil health will be key to maintaining a lush, resilient lawn.
2024 Positives:
Beneficial Growing Season: Spring 2024 brought ideal conditions for lawn growth, and clients who opted for slice seeding during this time saw significantly better results throughout the season. Warmer soil temperatures and consistent rainfall promoted healthy, dense grass growth, which is essential for naturally preventing weeds and pests. A thick, well-established lawn is more resilient against environmental stressors, especially as temperatures rise heading into summer.
Adoption of Soil Test Recommendations: Each year, our organic lawn care programs begin with a comprehensive soil test, providing key insights to develop a customized, science-backed lawn care plan. Implementing these recommendations fosters a nutrient-rich, sustainable environment where grass can thrive. Clients who followed our post-soil test recommendations in 2024 experienced stronger, greener lawns this season, demonstrating the long-term benefits of targeted soil improvements.
Boosting Organic Matter for Healthier Soil: Organic matter is crucial for long-term soil health, as it improves soil structure, nutrient availability, microbial activity, and water retention. By enriching the soil with organic matter, we create a resilient, drought-tolerant lawn that can withstand stressors and thrive year after year. Lawns with sufficient organic matter—or those treated with our Compost Topdressing service—demonstrated stronger, more consistent growth throughout the 2024 season.
Tips for 2025:
Proper Lawn Maintenance for a Healthier Lawn: To maintain a lush, resilient lawn, we recommend mowing grass at a height of 3.5 to 4 inches and avoiding frequent cuts, which can stress the turf. For optimal watering, aim for every other day, providing 20–30 minutes per zone, and adjust based on seasonal temperatures and rainfall to prevent drought stress or overwatering.
Grub Control & Prevention: The increase in beetle populations this past season led to a surge in destructive white grub activity, a trend that may continue with warmer winter conditions. To protect your lawn, we recommend a preventative late-summer grub management treatment and a spring application for those who have experienced grub damage in previous seasons.
Safe & Effective Weed Management: With the rise of invasive weeds in the Northeast, we recommend stronger yet safe weed control alternatives. These help reduce weed pressure, allowing your lawn to naturally strengthen and resist weeds throughout the season.
Importance of Communication: Communication is the key to seeing the best results for your natural lawn. Our client support team takes pride in promptly responding to calls and emails throughout the season, ensuring you have expert guidance when needed. In-person consultations are always available upon request!
As we reflect on 2024’s lawn care challenges and successes, one thing remains clear—a proactive, science-backed approach is key to a healthy lawn. Each year, we carefully review our programs to adapt to changing environmental conditions and improve the effectiveness of our treatments. While synthetic products may offer quick, temporary results, organic lawn care focuses on long-term soil health, strengthening your lawn’s natural defenses against pests, weeds, and drought. Though it may take time to see the full benefits, this approach fosters a lush, vibrant lawn that’s safer for your family, pets, and the environment. By investing in sustainable practices, you're setting the foundation for a greener, healthier lawn for years to come. We appreciate your commitment to organic lawn care and look forward to helping your lawn thrive in 2025!
Interested in learning more about our organic lawn care programs? Request a free quote today!
Sources:
Boston, N. (2025, January 9). 2024 weather year in Review. ArcGIS StoryMaps. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/e793aeff190d4c5e9bdeb5cc9103e9e9
Martin, J., Eickholt, A., & Dole, J. (2017, June 16). Natural Organic Lawn Care. Ohio State University Extension. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-4031
Vittum, P. (n.d.). Current insecticide approaches for White Grub Control. Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment. https://ag.umass.edu/turf/fact-sheets/current-insecticide-approaches-for-white-grub-control
Wasser, M. (2024, November 8). The drought in Massachusetts is getting worse. WBUR News. https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/11/07/drought-massachusetts-critical