Fitzgerald lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| March | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · 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 | Last nitrogen of the year |
| October | Last nitrogen of the year |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Fitzgerald lawn year
Fitzgerald's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 2, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 25. 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 Fitzgerald
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Fitzgerald?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 16 – Mar 30 in Fitzgerald, 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 Fitzgerald?
Aim for Feb 9 – Mar 2 — the estimated stretch when Fitzgerald soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 2). 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 Fitzgerald?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Fitzgerald that's typically until Nov 11 – Dec 2, around the average first fall frost (Nov 25). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Fitzgerald?
Georgia is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.