Chalmette 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 |
| December | Growth stops — final mow |
Reading the Chalmette lawn year
Chalmette's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Feb 10, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 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 Chalmette
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Chalmette?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Feb 24 – Mar 10 in Chalmette, 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 Chalmette?
Aim for Jan 20 – Feb 10 — the estimated stretch when Chalmette soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Feb 10). 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 Chalmette?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Chalmette that's typically until Dec 3 – Dec 24, around the average first fall frost (Dec 17). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Chalmette?
Louisiana is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.