Benton 5E 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 · Growth stops — final mow |
| November | Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Dormant (brown is normal) — no nitrogen, light cleanup only |
Reading the Benton 5E lawn year
Benton 5E's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Mar 14, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Nov 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 Benton 5E
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Benton 5E?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Mar 28 – Apr 11 in Benton 5E, 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 Benton 5E?
Aim for Feb 21 – Mar 14 — the estimated stretch when Benton 5E soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Mar 14). 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 Benton 5E?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Benton 5E that's typically until Oct 31 – Nov 21, around the average first fall frost (Nov 14). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Benton 5E?
Louisiana is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.