Archbold Bio Stn lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| March | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| June | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| July | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| August | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| September | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| October | Last nitrogen of the year |
| November | Last nitrogen of the year |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Archbold Bio Stn lawn year
Archbold Bio Stn's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Feb 26, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 22. 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 Archbold Bio Stn
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Archbold Bio Stn?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 12 – Mar 26 in Archbold Bio Stn, 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 Archbold Bio Stn?
Aim for Feb 5 – Feb 26 — the estimated stretch when Archbold Bio Stn soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Feb 26). 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 Archbold Bio Stn?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Archbold Bio Stn that's typically until Dec 8 – Dec 29, around the average first fall frost (Dec 22). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Archbold Bio Stn?
Florida is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.