Warm-season grasses like Bermuda Grass, Zoysia Grass, and St. Augustine Grass peak their growth in the summer and go dormant in winter. Those grasses require less maintenance than cool-season varieties due to better shear tolerance, drought tolerance, lower fertilizer needs, and less frequent watering. Though not as popular, they are the ideal choices in hot, dry regions or for busy lawn owners. Read on to learn about the month-by-month calendar for their care.
Table of Contents
The Most Popular Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses thrive in hot weather, with optimal growth occurring at air temperatures between 80°F and 95°F (27°C–35°C). They go dormant when soil temperatures fall below 50°F–55°F. It is commonly found in the south of the US and around the Mediterranean.
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Bermuda Grass: Known for its exceptional durability and fast recovery, making it the top choice for sports fields and high-traffic residential lawns. It requires full sun and thrives in intense heat.
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Zoysia Grass: Valued for its dense, carpet-like feel and better shade tolerance than Bermuda. It grows slowly, meaning it requires less frequent mowing once established.
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St. Augustine Grass: A popular choice for coastal regions (like Florida and the Gulf Coast) because it handles salt and humidity well. It has broad blades and is the most shade-tolerant warm-season variety.
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Centipede Grass: Often called "lazy man's grass" because of its low maintenance needs, it grows slowly and requires very little fertilizer. It prefers acidic soils.
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Bahiagrass: A tough, utility grass often used for large acreages or pastures due to its deep root system and ability to survive in poor, sandy soils.
- Seashore Paspalum: A versatile perennial turfgrass renowned for its exceptional salt tolerance. Native to tropical and subtropical coastal regions, it thrives in environments where other grasses struggle, such as salt marshes, beachfronts, and areas with poor-quality or brackish water.
Lawn Care Schedule for Warm-Season Grasses
Lawn care for warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Seashore Paspalum follows the active growth cycle that peaks in hot summer weather and slows as temperatures drop.
The lawn care schedule should be in sync with their growth cycle. The table below offers an outline of the year-round lawn care activities for warm-season grasses.
|
Timing |
Phase |
Lawn Maintenance |
Lawn Treatment |
|
|
Spring |
March
|
Spring Kickoff |
Rake debris; First mow; |
Test Soil Slow-release Synthetic Fertilizer |
|
April |
Renovation |
Mow every 10 days; Water 1in every week; Dethatch/aerate after the 3rd cut. |
Pre-emergent, Insecticide |
|
|
May |
Growth Peak |
Mow every week; Water 1in every week; Apply slow-release fertilizer for summer prep. |
Grub Prevention, Post-Emergent |
|
|
Summer |
June |
Heat Protection |
Mow every 10 days Raise mower height to 4–5 cm; Water 1.5in each week |
Fungicide |
|
July |
Hydration |
Water deeply but infrequently in the early morning |
Grub Control Fugal Disease Control |
|
|
August |
Hydration |
Water deeply but infrequently in the early morning; Prepare for fall overseeding if needed. |
Test Soil; Ion & Ph adjustment |
|
|
Autumn |
September |
Major Feeding |
Mow every week; Water 1in every week; Overseed bare spots, lay down new sods, aeration, scarifying |
Pre-Emergent; Synthetic Fertilizer
|
|
October |
Second Growth Peak |
Mow every week at a lower height; Water 0.5in/week |
Post-Emergent |
|
|
November |
Winter Prep |
Last mow (3cm/2in lower); Leaf sweeping |
"Winterizer" (High Potassium) |
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Winter |
December - February |
Dormancy |
Avoid foot traffic; Service mower blades |
N/A |
Spring Lawn Care for Warm-Season Grasses
For warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, and St. Augustine, spring care is driven by soil temperature rather than just the calendar. The general rule is to wait for the grass to "wake up" and actively grow before applying heavy treatments.
- Cleanup: Once the soil is dry, rake away winter debris and matted grass to allow sunlight to reach the base.
- First Mow: Start mowing when growth begins (usually when air temperatures hit 65°F+), and the lawn is at least 50% green. For Bermuda and Zoysia, a "scalp" (cutting to ~1 inch) removes dormant tissue and speeds green-up.
- Weed Prevention: Apply pre-emergent herbicide when soil temperatures reach 55°F (typically Feb/March) to block crabgrass.
- Aeration & Dethatching: Late spring is the best time for core aeration or dethatching, as the grass is growing rapidly enough to recover quickly.
Summer Lawn Care for Warm-Season Grasses
To keep warm-season grasses like Seashore Paspalum, Bermuda, or Zoysia thriving, you have to lean into their love of heat. These grasses do most of their "heavy lifting" between late spring and late summer.
- Mowing: This is the peak growing season. Mow every 5–7 days, following the "one-third rule" (never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade at once).
- Watering: Provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall. Water deeply and infrequently, ideally between 4 AM and 9 AM, to reduce evaporation and fungal risk.
- Fertilization: Continue feeding every 6–8 weeks through the summer. Avoid fertilizing during periods of extreme heat or drought stress.
- Pest Control: Monitor for grubs and chinch bugs in July and August.
Autumn Lawn Care for Warm-Season Grass
Autumn care for warm-season grasses is focused on preparing for dormancy and preventing winter weeds. Unlike cool-season lawns, you should not overseed or heavily fertilize warm-season grass in the fall, as this can cause winter injury.
- Winterizing: Apply a potassium-rich fertilizer 6–8 weeks before the first frost to strengthen the root system for winter. Avoid heavy nitrogen late in the season, which can interfere with dormancy.
- Clean Leaves: Heavy fallen leaves will choke the lawn and must be raked or sucked away in time.
- Final Mow: Conduct your last mow of the season once the grass stops growing, usually in November.
- Weed Control: Apply a second pre-emergent application when soil temperatures drop to 70°F to prevent winter weeds like Poa annua.
Winter Lawn Care for Warm-Season Grasses
The warm-season grasses stay dormant in winter just like the cool-season varieties. The difference is that they look browner and more withered. At this time, the lawn is extremely weak, so it should be kept from foot traffic.
- Avoid Foot Traffic: Do not walk or park during frost or ice, as this will cause the grass crown to break and cause bald spots next year.
- Equipment Maintenance: Use this time to sharpen mower blades and service your equipment.
- Watering: If there is extreme drought in winter, choose to replenish water a little in the morning when the temperature rises to prevent the roots from completely drying out and dying.
- Spot Treatment: Hand-pull or spot-treat any winter weeds that emerge while the grass is dormant.
Summary of the Lawn Care Calendar for Warm-Season Grasses
Warm-season grasses are easier to take care of than you might expect. The most demanding tasks, like fertilization, seeding, and weed control, are done in the spring. In the rest time, just follow the schedule of watering and mowing. If you are to grow grass for the first time, try Bermuda or St. Augustine; they will give you easy success.
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