Complete (2026) Lawn Maintenance Calendar for:
Warm-Season Grasses
Bermuda • Zoysia • St. Augustine • Centipede
Month by Month Lawn Care Tasks
❄️ Winter Priorities (January–March)
Warm-season lawns are dormant throughout winter, so this is the time to protect—not push—your lawn. Avoid excessive foot traffic on dormant grass, remove leaves and debris promptly, and use the off-season to sharpen mower blades, service equipment, and plan for spring green-up.
- Protect dormant turf from heavy traffic.
- Keep the lawn free of leaves and debris.
- Prepare equipment before spring arrives.
🗓️ January
Warm-season grasses grow most aggressively when temperatures consistently reach 80–95°F. Their main growing season is typically late spring through early fall.
- Remove leaves and debris
- Avoid heavy traffic on dormant turf
- Water only during extended dry periods
- Service lawn equipment and sharpen mower blades.
🗓️ February
As winter continues, February is the ideal time to prepare your lawn for spring. Complete preventive maintenance now so your lawn is ready to thrive when warmer temperatures arrive.
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide before soil temperatures consistently reach 55°F.
- Monitor for winter weeds and spot treat if necessary
- Perform a soil test to identify nutrient deficiencies.
- Inspect irrigation equipment and repair any leaks or damage.
🗓️ March
March marks the transition from dormancy to active growth for many warm-season lawns. Begin preparing your lawn for spring while avoiding practices that could damage dormant turf.
- Begin spring cleanup by removing leaves and debris.
- Scalp Bermuda grass before green-up, if appropriate.
- Begin mowing as active growth starts.
- Check sprinkler coverage and make necessary adjustments.
🌱 Spring Priorities (April-June)
Spring is when warm-season lawns begin actively growing. Focus on building healthy roots, mowing correctly, and applying fertilizer only after the lawn has fully greened up.
- Protect dormant turf from heavy traffic.
- Keep the lawn free of leaves and debris.
- Prepare equipment before spring arrives.
🗓️ April
With active growth underway, April is an excellent time to establish healthy mowing and fertilizing habits that will benefit your lawn throughout the growing season.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer after complete green-up.
- Spot treat weeds as needed.
- Increase mowing frequency.
- Water deeply if rainfall is limited.
🗓️ May
May is one of the busiest months for lawn care. Warm-season grasses are growing rapidly and respond well to proper watering, fertilization, and soil improvement.
- Core aerate compacted areas.
- Add organic matter where needed.
- Continue fertilizing during active growth.
- Maintain proper mowing height.
🗓️ June
Summer heat begins placing additional stress on your lawn. Proper watering and mowing practices become increasingly important.
- Continue deep watering.
- Monitor for insects and lawn diseases.
- Water deeply and infrequently. Once per week to 1 inch (use rain gauge)
- Repair thin or damaged areas.
☀️ Summer Priorities (July-September)
Summer lawn care is all about reducing stress. Proper watering, mowing, and early detection of pests will keep your lawn healthy through the hottest months.
- Protect dormant turf from heavy traffic.
- Keep the lawn free of leaves and debris.
- Prepare equipment before spring arrives.
🗓️ July
July often brings the hottest temperatures of the year. Maintaining healthy roots is the key to helping your lawn withstand heat and drought
- Continue regular mowing.
- Avoid removing more than one-third of the grass blade.
- Watch for drought stress.
- Monitor for chinch bugs and fungal diseases.
🗓️ August
Continue summer maintenance while preparing for the transition into fall. Healthy lawns recover more quickly from summer stress.
- Maintain your fertilization schedule.
- Continue proper mowing practices.
- Spot treat weeds.
- Watch for signs of heat stress. (grass turns brownish and appears dead)
🗓️ September
As temperatures begin to cool, September is a great time to prepare your lawn for the coming dormant season.
- Apply a fall pre-emergent herbicide for winter weeds.
- Reduce nitrogen applications.
- Continue mowing until growth slows.
- Begin preparing for dormancy. Apply Potassium (K) if indicated by soil test
🍂 Fall Priorities (October-December)
Fall is the time to strengthen your lawn before winter arrives. Prevent winter weeds, reduce stress, and prepare your equipment for the off-season.
- Protect dormant turf from heavy traffic.
- Keep the lawn free of leaves and debris.
- Prepare equipment before spring arrives.
🗓️ October
Growth begins slowing during October. Continue routine maintenance while helping your lawn transition into dormancy.
- Reduce mowing based on dormancy level in your area
- Reduce watering as temperatures cool.
- Remove Fall leaves and debris regularly.
- Winterize irrigation if necessary.
🗓️ November
Most warm-season lawns are entering dormancy. Maintenance requirements decrease, but protecting the lawn remains important.
- Allow the lawn to enter dormancy naturally.
- Apply a winterizer fertilizer if recommended.
- Lower the final mowing height slightly if it doesen't cause scalping
- Continue removing leaves. Mulch if possible or remove if not to prevent possible fungal disease
Warm-season grasses grow most aggressively when temperatures consistently reach 80–95°F. Their main growing season is typically late spring through early fall.
🗓️ December
December is a quiet month for warm-season lawns. Focus on protecting dormant turf and preparing for next year's growing season.
- Minimize foot traffic on dormant grass.
- Keep the lawn free of debris.
- Plan next year's lawn care schedule.
- Clean and winterize lawn equipment.
🗓️ December
December is a quiet month for warm-season lawns. Focus on protecting dormant turf and preparing for next year's growing season.
- Minimize foot traffic on dormant grass.
- Keep the lawn free of debris.
- Plan next year's lawn care schedule.
- Clean and winterize lawn equipment.
Warm-Season Lawns Quick Tips
- Best mowing height varies by species: Bermuda: 0.5–1.5 inches Zoysia: 1–2 inches St. Augustine: 3–4 inches.
- Water deeply and infrequently. Frequent watering may invite fungal disease
- Core aeration is best during late spring and early summer.
- Apply fertilizer only during active growth.
- Avoid overwatering during humid summer periods
💡Pro Tip
A healthy lawn is built through consistent practices—not one-time treatments. Mow correctly, water deeply, feed appropriately, and pay attention to your soil throughout the year. Small improvements made at the right time can make a noticeable difference by the end of the growing season.