Everglades lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass · Growth stops — final mow |
| February | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| March | 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 | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Last nitrogen of the year · Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Everglades lawn year
Everglades's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Jan 16, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Jan 14. 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 Everglades
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Everglades?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Jan 30 – Feb 13 in Everglades, 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 Everglades?
Aim for Dec 26 – Jan 16 — the estimated stretch when Everglades soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Jan 16). 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 Everglades?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Everglades that's typically until Dec 31 – Jan 21, around the average first fall frost (Jan 14). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Everglades?
Florida is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.