With Georgia’s hot and humid summers, your lawn may face unique challenges. From knowing when to water and mow to being prepared to tackle pests before they invade, this lawn care calendar for Georgia is your guide to nurture your lawn throughout the year.
Read on and follow our tips on when it’s best to water, fertilize, mow, control weeds and pests, and more, to enjoy a beautiful, vibrant lawn every season.
Georgia lawn care schedule at a glance
*Recommended months vary depending on whether you have warm- or cool-season grass and your location in the state.
Spring lawn care in Georgia
Spring is a crucial time for getting your lawn ready to thrive in Georgia’s growing season. Here are practical steps to ensure your lawn looks its best.
March
Prepare for weeds
To maintain Georgia’s best grass types, whether warm-season or cool-season, consider applying pre-emergent herbicides to kill weeds by preventing their seeds from germinating above the soil.
Spring applications target common lawn weeds in Georgia like goosegrass and crabgrass. If you’re in north Georgia, the best time for spring applications is from March 1 to 20. In south Georgia, you can start a bit earlier, as early as mid-February. Aim to apply pre-emergent weed control before soil temperatures reach 55 F and are climbing.
Read our article, When to Apply Pre- and Post-Emergent Weed Control in Georgia, to learn more about the best times for weed control.
Pro Tip: Check out top picks for pre-emergent herbicides to make sure you’re using only the best products to keep your lawn weed-free.
Get your mower ready
This month is also a great time for mower maintenance if you have a warm-season lawn. Ensure your mower is in top condition for the upcoming season. Sharpen the blades and check for any needed repairs.
If you’re in the mountainous regions of northern Georgia with cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue, ongoing or scheduled mowing is beneficial year-round. These grass types thrive with frequent mowing, making any time of the year suitable for upkeep.
Fertilize your cool-season lawn
Fall is generally the best time to fertilize cool-season lawns, especially if you plan to fertilize only once per year. However, spring (from March to April) is also a good time for fertilization.
Remember that it’s important to follow soil test recommendations for precise fertilization that promotes healthy growth without waste.
Here’s how much fertilizer you should use on your cool-season lawn each year. Rates generally range from 0.5 to 1 pound per application:
| Grass Type | Recommended nitrogen application (per 1,000 square feet per year) |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 3-4 pounds |
| Tall fescue | 2-4 pounds |
Scalp your warm-season lawn
Scalping your lawn, which should be done before the lawn greens up, involves intentionally cutting down the stem and leaf material using a lawn mower set at its lowest height with a bagging attachment. It will remove dead grass, buildup, thatch, and debris and help the soil to warm up faster. Faster soil warm-up means the green, new growth will occur sooner rather than later.
Scalping is recommended for grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia to clear out last year’s growth and make way for strong spring growth, even though your lawn may appear bare at first.
April
Water based on your lawn’s needs
April in Georgia typically provides enough moisture through rainfall. Only consider watering if temperatures spike above 80 to 85 F with no rain for several days. Georgia’s clay soil retains moisture well.
To prepare for the summer ahead, inspect your irrigation system to ensure it’s functioning properly. Consider installing a rain shutoff sensor to prevent overwatering.
Start mowing regularly
If your grass is actively growing, start mowing regularly in April, especially for warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysiagrass, which are used across Georgia but are particularly adapted to Piedmont and Coastal Plain areas.
Cut no more than 1/3 of the grass height at a time as mowing too low can stress the lawn and allow weeds to take over.
Follow the recommended heights for each grass type to keep your lawn healthy and weed-free:
| Grass Type | Mowing Height Recommendation |
| Bermudagrass | 1-2 inches |
| Zoysiagrass | 1-2 inches |
| Centipedegrass | 1-2 inches |
| St. Augustinegrass | 2-3 inches |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 3-4 inches |
| Tall fescue | 2-3 inches |
Monitor moisture levels
April usually brings mild temperatures and adequate rainfall, so irrigation isn’t typically necessary. Georgia’s clay soil does a good job of holding moisture.
May
Begin fertilizing your warm-season lawn
Around early to mid-May, it’s time to start fertilizing your Bermuda, Zoysia, or St. Augustine lawn. The best window for fertilizing runs from May to August, but you can also start in April or continue through September if needed. For centipedegrass, the best times to fertilize are May and July. June and August are also possible.
Make sure to follow the recommended amount of fertilizer to be applied per year depending on your warm-season grass type. Rates generally range from 0.5 to 1 pound per application:
| Grass Type | Recommended nitrogen application (per 1,000 square feet per year) |
| Bermudagrass | 2-5 pounds |
| Zoysiagrass | 2-3 pounds |
| Centipedegrass | 1-2 pounds |
| St. Augustinegrass | 2-5 pounds |
Tackle weeds
Once your lawn is fully green, apply post-emergent weed control as needed. Apply post-emergent herbicides during late spring (fall works, too) when annual and perennial weeds are actively growing. These months tend to be cooler, making the grass more tolerant to herbicides.
Note: Avoid applying herbicides during periods of heat or drought stress on the grass. If temperatures reach 90 F or higher, delay herbicide application. Also, refrain from applying post-emergent herbicides on warm-season grasses when they are greening up after winter dormancy.
Begin watering deeply
As temperatures rise and rainfall decreases, begin watering deeply but infrequently. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week to encourage deep root growth.
Adjust mowing heights
During hotter weather, raise your mower blade slightly to reduce stress on the grass. Proper mowing heights help your lawn stay healthy during the summer heat. You can increase the mowing height by about 1/2 inch to help reduce drought stress on your grass.
Aerate your warm-season lawn
Late spring up to early summer is the best time to aerate your Georgia lawn, particularly if you’re dealing with Georgia’s compacted clay soils. This season is perfect for aerating warm-season grasses, which dominate lawns across the state.
Consider dethatching
Consider dethatching your lawn, especially for Georgia’s common warm-season grasses like Zoysia and Kentucky bluegrass. The best time to dethatch warm-season lawns is from late spring through summer or up to August. Dethatching removes built-up debris, allowing better airflow, water absorption, and nutrient uptake for a healthier lawn overall.
While both are important for your lawn, it’s important to know the difference between dethatching and aeration.
Sod for your warm-season lawn
If you want a thick green lawn instantly, you can also consider sodding. For the best results, lay sod for your warm-season lawn between May and August. Each pallet of sod should cover about 500 square feet, giving you a quick and effective way to create a lush, green lawn.
To help you choose between seeding and sodding, check our article on Grass Seed vs. Sod.
Summer lawn care in Georgia
Summer is the season when your lawn needs extra care to thrive under the Georgia sun. Here’s a month-by-month guide to keeping your lawn healthy and attractive throughout the summer.
June to July
Plant your warm-season grass
If you’re thinking about seeding warm-season grass in Georgia, late spring (as early as May) and early summer is the ideal time, though each species has its own prime planting window. For detailed guidance, check out our article: How and When to Plant Grass Seed in Georgia.
Continue mowing
Maintain the right mowing height for your grass type to promote health and increase curb appeal. Regularly sharpen mower blades to ensure clean cuts that promote quick healing of grass blades, preventing fungal infections and maintaining a neat appearance.
Water intentionally
Watch for signs that your lawn needs water, such as footprints that remain visible or wilting grass blades. Aim for approximately 1 inch of water per week, ideally split into two applications to prevent overwatering or runoff.
Here are a few articles you can check to guide you on the best time to water your grass:
August
Control winter weeds
Late summer to early fall pre-emergent herbicide applications will help control winter annual weeds that are common in Georgia such as annual bluegrass, henbit, and common chickweed.
If you’re in north Georgia, the best time is from mid-August to mid-September. If you’re in south Georgia, that’s from the 1st to 15th of September. Keep in mind that these dates may differ according to your location and other environmental factors.
Pro tip: For better accuracy, use soil temperatures to guide your timing. In late summer to early fall, apply pre-emergent herbicides when soil temps are between 65 F and 70 F. To check your local soil temps, visit the GreenCast website for real-time data.
Monitor for pests and diseases
Scot Nelson / Flickr / CC0 1.0
Watch for signs of pests or diseases that may affect your lawn during the hot summer months. It would be helpful to know the common summer lawn pests to watch out for. Take prompt action to prevent damage.
During summer, your lawn can particularly be prone to the following diseases:
| Lawn Disease | Grass Types Affected | Signs |
| Pythium blight | Cool-season, mostly tall fescue and bentgrass | Grass is pale, thin, and struggling to grow Yellow, irregularly shaped patches Slightly stunted roots |
| Pythium root rot | All grasses | Thin, off-color and slow-growing grass Stunted roots with reduced volume and vigor |
| Leaf spot/Melting out | All grasses, especially Bermuda | Purplish-brown to black spots with tan centers on the leaf blade and sheath Lower leaves become shriveled and blighted |
| Take-all root rot | Warm-season | Wilted, circular patches that are brown or bronze-colored Dark-brown roots |
| Fairy ring | All grasses | Above-ground mushroom and puff ball basidiocarps (may or may not occur) Visible outer rings, either dark-green or brown in color |
Continue regular maintenance
Maintain regular mowing, keeping within the recommended heights for your grass type. This helps to control weeds and maintain a tidy appearance.
Fall lawn care in Georgia
As cooler temperatures settle in and your warm-season lawn may be preparing for dormancy, it’s essential to make sure it stays healthy through winter and thrives next spring.
September
Manage leaves and debris
Remove leaves, pine needles, thatch, and other organic debris from your lawn. These can block sunlight and trap moisture, potentially harming your grass and attracting disease and insects. Remove them gradually throughout fall (ideal) or all at once by season’s end.
Dried leaves are a great, cost-free way to mulch your lawn, garden beds, trees, and shrubs. You can leave a light layer of leaves on your lawn and mow over them; a mulching lawn mower with special blades will shred them into tiny pieces that nourish the soil between the grass blades. Just be mindful not to overwhelm your lawn or plants with too many leaves—use a rake or vacuum to collect excess.
If you have the space, consider creating a backyard compost pile to recycle autumn leaves into nutrient-rich compost for your garden later on.
If you’re curious about more ways to make the most of your fall leaves, check out our article: What to Do with Fall Leaves on Your Lawn.
Test your soil
You can test your soil at any time of the year, but it’s important to allow enough time for analysis and for applying fertilizers and lime (can be done year-round). Fall is generally the best time to sample because landscapes and gardens are typically dry and easy to access.
You can collect soil samples and send them to the University of Georgia Soil, Plant, and Water Laboratory. They’ll provide a detailed report on nutrient and pH levels, along with recommendations for any needed adjustments. Start by contacting your county Extension office to obtain soil bags and learn how to submit your samples.
If your soil test reveals that your lawn is outside the optimal pH range, follow the report’s recommendations to bring it back into these optimal ranges:
| Turfgrass species | Optimal pH range |
| Bermudagrass | 5.5-6.5 |
| Zoysiagrass | 6.0-7.0 |
| Centipedegrass | 5.0-6.0 |
| St. Augustinegrass | 5.5-6.5 |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 5.5-6.5 |
| Tall fescue | 5.5-6.5 |
Overseed your existing grass
Fall is the ideal time for overseeding in Georgia to maintain a vibrant, green lawn year-round, especially for cool-season grasses. If you have Kentucky bluegrass, September and October are optimal months for overseeding, while for tall fescue, October is best. Though it’s not optimal, you can overseed cool-season lawns as late as November.
While less common, you can also consider overseeding warm-season Bermuda in October with cool-season varieties such as perennial ryegrass or rough bluegrass.
October
Seed or sod to establish new cool-season lawns
For seeding cool-season grasses in Georgia, October is best for tall fescue and September to October for Kentucky bluegrass. You can also plant in November, February, or March (or September for tall fescue) if you miss the fall window, but these months aren’t as ideal.
September to October, and even February, provides a good window for sodding your Kentucky bluegrass lawn if you prefer it over planting new grass seeds. For tall fescue, February and October are the optimal times for sodding.
Lower mowing height
Adjust your mower blade. Lowering the height prepares the grass for dormancy and reduces the risk of winter diseases.
Monitor for fungal issues
Be vigilant for signs of fungal diseases, especially during periods of extended rain or humidity. Consider preventive fungicide applications if necessary, rotating active ingredients to prevent resistance:
| Active ingredient | Diseases controlled |
| Captan | Dollar spot, brown patch, large patch |
| Myclobutanil | Brown patch, large patch, dollar spot, spring dead spot, leaf spot, rust |
| PCNB | Fading out, leaf spot, rust, brown patch, dollar spot, large patch |
| Thiophanate methyl | Fusarium, fairy ring, gray leaf spot, large patch, brown patch, dollar spot |
Aerate your cool-season lawn
If you have a cool-season lawn like Kentucky bluegrass or tall fescue in north Georgia, fall, especially around October, is the best time to aerate. You can start as early as September or as late as November. Aeration helps roots grow deeper, making it easier for them to absorb water and nutrients, which prepares your lawn for winter.
If you missed the fall window, you can also aerate in spring, particularly in March or April.
Stop fertilizing warm-season grasses with nitrogen
Stop using nitrogen fertilizer now to help your grass prepare for winter. Nitrogen promotes new growth, which can take energy away from storing reserves needed for a healthy spring green-up.
Pro Tip: While we don’t want to fertilize warm-season lawns in the fall, using a pre-emergence herbicide with potassium can enhance winter hardiness in grasses like Bermuda. Look for herbicides labeled 0-0-7 or similar, where the first two numbers (nitrogen and phosphorus) are zeros.
Fertilize your cool-season grasses
For cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, fall is an ideal time to apply fertilizer and give your lawn a nutrient boost. Both Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue benefit most from fertilizing during October to November.
Mow your warm-season grass for the last time
It’s recommended to mow your warm-season grasses for the last time between September and October, as they start to go dormant in fall. You should avoid mowing dormant grass and aim to mow the last time in the days or weeks leading up to the dormant phase.
However, for cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue, mowing may still be needed after this period.
November
Winterize irrigation system
Prepare your irrigation or sprinkler system for winter by draining and insulating to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. Winterization methods depend on what type of system you own.
Check our comprehensive guide to help you prepare: How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System.
Caveat: If you’ve recently installed sod or seeded your lawn, continue watering for about 30 days or until early spring to ensure the new growth establishes well.
Winter lawn care in Georgia
Winter in Georgia brings cooler temperatures and varying weather conditions that can impact your lawn’s health and appearance. Proper winter lawn care is key to keeping that grass looking sharp and resilient even during its downtime.
December to February
Avoid foot traffic
As winter settles in, your warm-season lawn takes a break and goes dormant, needing very little attention. While you can’t stop the freezing temperatures, you can help protect your grass by not walking on it. This simple step helps prevent damage and keeps your lawn in good shape while it rests.
Watch out for signs of damage
It’s a good time to observe for any signs of winter damage, such as brown patches or thinning areas. Keep an eye out for pests that may seek shelter in the dormant grass.
Fertilize Kentucky bluegrass
December and February are additional times to fertilize Kentucky bluegrass.
FAQ about Georgia lawn care
When does grass start growing in Georgia?
Georgia has a diverse landscape with different planting zones, influencing when grasses begin their growing season across the state.
The timing varies depending on whether the grass is cool-season or warm-season:
| Grass Type | Growing Season | Characteristics |
| Cool-season grasses | Spring and fall | Thrive when temperatures range between 60–75 F |
| Warm-season grasses | Late spring to early fall (May to October) | Flourish in temperatures of 80–95 F during spring, summer, and early fall |
When does grass stop growing in Georgia?
The dormancy time also differs depending on the grass type you have:
| Grass Type | Dormancy Time |
| Cool-season grasses | Slow down or stop growing during hot summers and require more water than warm-season grasses to remain green and actively growing |
| Warm-season grasses | Go dormant and turn brown in winter but spread rapidly through rhizomes or stolons during growing seasons (spring and summer) |
When should I start lawn care in Georgia?
In Georgia, when it comes to taking care of your lawn, the timing depends on whether you have cool-season or warm-season grass.
For cool-season lawns, it’s best to kick off lawn care in early spring, usually around March, as temperatures begin to rise and the grass starts to grow actively again. Another good time to start is early fall, when temperatures cool down and the grass enjoys a burst of growth.
If you have warm-season grass, you’ll want to begin lawn care in late spring, around April, when the weather warms up consistently and your grass enters its peak growing season. Early fall, around September, is also a good time to prepare the grass for winter dormancy and ensure it stays healthy.
Leave the year-round care to a pro
Whether you have cool-season or warm-season grass in Georgia, your lawn needs proper care like fertilization, weed control, and mowing at the right times to grow strong and resilient.
If it all feels like too much, don’t worry. We can connect you with local pros in Georgia who can take care of everything for you. They’ll make sure your lawn stays in great shape throughout the year, so you can enjoy a lush, beautiful yard without the stress.
Sources:
- UGA Extension
- UGA Extension: Lawn Maintenance Calendars
Main Image Credit: Infrogmation / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
