Plains SW Ga Exp Stn 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 |
| April | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| May | Aerate / dethatch |
| 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 | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
Reading the Plains SW Ga Exp Stn lawn year
Plains SW Ga Exp Stn's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 15, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 17. 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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 29 – Apr 12 in Plains SW Ga Exp 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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn?
Aim for Feb 22 – Mar 15 — the estimated stretch when Plains SW Ga Exp Stn soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 15). 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 Plains SW Ga Exp Stn?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn that's typically until Nov 3 – Nov 24, around the average first fall frost (Nov 17). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Plains SW Ga Exp Stn?
Georgia is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.