Dauphin Is #2 lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Growth stops — final mow |
| February | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| March | First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| May | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| June | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| July | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| August | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| September | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| October | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| November | Last nitrogen of the year |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Dauphin Is #2 lawn year
Dauphin Is #2's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Jan 31, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Jan 6. The two dates to respect most are the pre-emergent deadline in late winter — southern soil warms early — and the last-nitrogen cutoff 6–8 weeks before frost, which protects the lawn from winter injury.
Grasses that fit Dauphin Is #2
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Dauphin Is #2?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Feb 14 – Feb 28 in Dauphin Is #2, once soil has warmed well past the last frost. That gives new grass a full growing season to mature before its first winter dormancy.
When do I put down crabgrass preventer in Dauphin Is #2?
Aim for Jan 10 – Jan 31 — the estimated stretch when Dauphin Is #2 soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Jan 31). It's an estimate: a soil thermometer reading 50–55°F at 2″ depth for several days is the precise trigger, and pre-emergent must go down before crabgrass sprouts, not after.
When should I stop mowing in Dauphin Is #2?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Dauphin Is #2 that's typically until Dec 23 – Jan 13, around the average first fall frost (Jan 6). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Dauphin Is #2?
Alabama is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.