Late winter to early spring (February to March)
- Apply pre-emergent weed control before soil warms up to stop crabgrass and other summer weeds
- Clean up leaves and debris so new growth gets sun
- Get your mower serviced and blades sharpened
- Check sprinklers for broken heads before the season starts
Spring (April to May)
- Start regular mowing once the lawn greens up
- Fertilize once the grass is actively growing, not while it is still mostly dormant
- Core aerate in late spring when the grass can recover quickly
- Spot-treat broadleaf weeds
Summer (June to August)
- Mow weekly and avoid cutting more than a third of the blade at once
- Water deeply and less often, following your city's watering schedule
- Water early in the morning to cut evaporation
- Watch St. Augustine for chinch bugs and brown patches in hot, dry spots
Fall (September to October)
- Apply a second round of pre-emergent for winter weeds
- Fertilize lightly in early fall if your program calls for it
- Keep mowing as needed while the grass is still growing
Winter (November to January)
- Mowing slows or stops as the grass goes dormant and brown
- Keep leaves off the lawn
- Water occasionally during long dry spells
- Protect sprinkler backflow devices before hard freezes