Carville 2 SW lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass |
| March | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | 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 · Growth stops — final mow |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Carville 2 SW lawn year
Carville 2 SW's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Feb 9, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 13. 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 Carville 2 SW
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Carville 2 SW?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Feb 23 – Mar 9 in Carville 2 SW, 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 Carville 2 SW?
Aim for Jan 19 – Feb 9 — the estimated stretch when Carville 2 SW soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Feb 9). 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 Carville 2 SW?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Carville 2 SW that's typically until Nov 29 – Dec 20, around the average first fall frost (Dec 13). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Carville 2 SW?
Louisiana is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.