Hackberry 8 SSW lawn care, month by month
| Month | Tasks |
|---|---|
| January | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent |
| February | Apply crabgrass pre-emergent · Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up |
| March | Seed, sod, or plug new grass · First feeding at full green-up · Aerate / dethatch |
| April | Peak growth — regular mowing, about 1″ of water a week |
| 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 Hackberry 8 SSW lawn year
Hackberry 8 SSW's lawn year runs on warmth: the lawn wakes after the last frost around Feb 3, hits full stride in midsummer, and goes dormant with the first frost around Dec 24. 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 Hackberry 8 SSW
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant warm-season grass in Hackberry 8 SSW?
Seed, sod, or plug Bermuda, Zoysia, and other warm-season grasses in late spring — around Feb 17 – Mar 3 in Hackberry 8 SSW, 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 Hackberry 8 SSW?
Aim for Jan 13 – Feb 3 — the estimated stretch when Hackberry 8 SSW soil approaches the ~55°F germination threshold, anchored to the average last frost (Feb 3). 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 Hackberry 8 SSW?
Keep mowing as long as the grass grows — in Hackberry 8 SSW that's typically until Dec 10 – Dec 31, around the average first fall frost (Dec 24). Warm-season lawns then go brown-dormant for winter, which is normal.
What grass grows best in Hackberry 8 SSW?
Louisiana is warm-season country: Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede, bahia, buffalo. See the grass guides linked below for identification and care.